The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 207

"You used to," she suddenly spoke, "forbid me from stepping into the kitchen."

Hackett froze.

"You said it was unseemly for Mrs. Lehman to be seen in a kitchen," Annelise said, her tone devoid of any inflection. "You said my hands were meant to wear the bracelets you bought me, not to touch things so beneath you."

"And now you want to haul steel for me."

"Hackett, don't you find this laughable?"

Hackett's face drained of color, inch by inch.

"I was wrong back then," he rasped, his voice barely a breath. "I was foolish. But I understand now, Anne, I really do. You can do whatever you want—haul steel, open a shop, arrange flowers. I'll support you. I just want to stay by your side..."

"You don't need to stay by my side," Annelise cut him off.

She turned her head toward a small shed at the market entrance with a "Porter Services" sign, raised her voice, and called out in Norwegian.

Soon, two local porters in work clothes jogged over.

"This bundle of steel angles, and those three iron racks over there," Annelise pointed. "Load them into that white pickup truck."

She pulled out her wallet, counted out several kroner notes, and handed them over.

"Tell me whatever the cost is."

The two porters bent down, effortlessly lifting the heavy steel bundle that had left Hackett shaking, and marched it over to the truck.

Annelise paid the agreed price and added a small tip.

Throughout the entire exchange, she didn't cast a single glance at Hackett.

Hackett stood rooted to the spot.

He watched helplessly as the steel he had strained so hard to lift was effortlessly carried away by two strangers.

He watched helplessly as she used a few banknotes to buy out and clear away the only thing he could still offer her.

He wanted to exert himself for her, but she solved it with cash.

She would rather pay strangers than let him touch a single thing.

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