When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 518

**Chapter 518: Unwelcome Hospitality**

“Who even knows what she was after? Maybe she threw herself at your car on purpose! And Mom, you don’t even know her. How can you be sure she didn’t spit on me intentionally?”

Gianna’s voice pierced the charged atmosphere, each word laced with venom, slicing through the tension like a knife through butter. The accusations fell heavily, leaving Anneliese feeling as if she were teetering on the brink of a precipice. The air crackled with hostility, thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Wendy, her mother, stood nearby, her expression a mixture of confusion and concern, brows knitted together as she struggled to comprehend the depth of her daughter’s fury. Anneliese felt small, a mere shadow in the corner of Gianna’s storm.

A dull ringing echoed in Anneliese’s ears, amplifying the throbbing headache that had settled in her temples like an unwelcome guest. She leaned against the wall for support, her body trembling slightly as she fought to steady her racing heart. “Mrs. Malone,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper, “thank you for your help today. I’m feeling more awake now, so I really should be going. The problem is, I don’t have any money on me. Could I borrow your phone to make a quick call?”

The truth was, Anneliese and Gianna had never been on the same wavelength. This was Gianna’s domain, and Anneliese could feel the weight of her status as an outsider pressing down on her, suffocating her with every passing second.

Wendy’s demeanor was a stark contrast to the storm brewing around them; her warmth was a soothing balm against the harshness of the situation. Anneliese felt a swell of gratitude for the older woman’s kindness, but a nagging thought lingered in her mind: any mother would instinctively prioritize her own child over a stranger. The fear of overstaying her welcome gnawed at her insides, tightening her chest with anxiety.

Wendy, ever perceptive, noticed the pallor of Anneliese’s complexion, the way her hands trembled ever so slightly as she spoke. It was clear that Anneliese was on the verge of collapse. The few words she had managed to utter had left cold beads of sweat dotting her forehead, and there was no way Wendy would allow her to leave in such a precarious state.

With a gentle yet firm grip, Wendy wrapped an arm around Anneliese once more. “Go lie down in the bedroom. I hit you with my car, so I am responsible for your well-being. Gianna is young and headstrong; we’ve spoiled her a bit. Don’t let her behavior upset you.”

As Wendy defended Anneliese, Gianna’s expression darkened, as though she had been struck without a sound. The dynamic in the room shifted palpably, and it was evident that Gianna was grappling with her anger over her mother’s apparent favoritism toward a stranger.

Gianna was acutely aware of her father, Adrian, and the high regard in which he held Wendy. Confronting her mother was not an option, so she redirected her frustration toward Anneliese. “What a pathetic show,” she sneered, her tone dripping with contempt.

Anneliese shuddered involuntarily at the unpleasant scent of Gianna’s shoulder, feeling as though the moment was pivotal. With a huff, Gianna stormed off, her intention clear: to shower, change, and deal with her emotions later.

“Mrs. Malone,” Anneliese insisted, her voice laced with urgency, “I appreciate your kindness, but I really need to leave. My family must be worried sick. I promise I’ll come by another day to thank you properly.”

Wendy regarded her with a firm gaze, her resolve unyielding. “Lie down first. I’ll go get the phone. If you take a few steps and collapse, it’ll be my responsibility, right?”

Anneliese felt cornered, left with no choice but to acquiesce. She allowed Wendy to guide her back onto the bed, the weight of exhaustion settling heavily on her shoulders like an unwelcome cloak.

Wendy descended the stairs to fetch the phone, leaving Anneliese alone with her younger sister, Pepper.

“I’m Gianna’s aunt. What happened to you? How did you get hurt like this? It’s the holidays, and you’re all alone. That’s tough. Please, lie down,” Pepper said, her voice a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Anneliese shook her head, stepping back slightly. “No, thank you. I can manage,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, the effort of speaking draining her further.

Pepper frowned, her posture shifting from concern to defensiveness. “Do you want some water? And how exactly did you hit my sister’s car?”

“I’m nauseous. I can’t talk,” Anneliese muttered, hoping to put an end to the relentless questioning.

Clearly, Pepper was eager to vent her frustrations on Gianna’s behalf. Anneliese refused to sit and endure this scolding, especially when her desperate need for the bathroom was becoming more pressing by the second.

She attempted to rise, eager to escape the confrontation, but her foot caught on something. She stumbled forward, her vision blurring as darkness crept in around the edges.

Bracing for impact, she expected to hit the floor, but instead, a strong, steady arm caught her waist, preventing her fall. In the haze, a familiar voice called her name urgently, breaking through the fog of her disorientation.

Darkness swirled at the edges of her vision, and she felt herself slipping away. That voice sounded distant, muffled, as though it was trying to reach her through a thick curtain of confusion.

In the aftermath of the tumultuous encounter, Anneliese found herself enveloped in a cocoon of warmth and unexpected support. Despite the hostility she faced from Gianna and Pepper, Wendy’s unwavering kindness became a beacon of hope, illuminating the shadows that had clouded her mind. As she lay on the bed, the exhaustion that had once threatened to consume her began to ebb, replaced by a flicker of resilience. The confrontation with Pepper had been a harsh reminder of her vulnerability, yet it also ignited a spark within her—a determination to reclaim her voice and assert her worth in a world that often felt dismissive. In that moment of stillness, Anneliese realized that she need not apologize for her existence; her struggles were valid, and she deserved compassion, even from those who barely knew her.

With each passing moment, the emotional turbulence began to settle, and Anneliese understood that the path forward would not be without its challenges. The tension with Gianna and Pepper might not dissipate overnight, but Wendy’s steadfast presence offered her a semblance of stability. As she closed her eyes, she envisioned a future where she could stand tall against adversity, where her story would be one of strength rather than shame. In the sanctuary of Wendy’s home, Anneliese felt the first stirrings of hope—a belief that she could navigate the complexities of her relationships and emerge stronger on the other side. The darkness that had threatened to swallow her was now merely a backdrop to the light of newfound resilience, and for the first time in a long while, she dared to dream of a brighter tomorrow.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension in the Malone household escalates, readers can anticipate a deep dive into the complex dynamics that bind Anneliese, Gianna, and the rest of the family. With Anneliese’s health precariously hanging in the balance, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Wendy’s nurturing instincts be enough to shield her from the hostility of her daughter and niece? Or will Gianna’s resentment boil over, leading to unexpected confrontations that could shatter the fragile peace? The next chapter promises to unravel the layers of family loyalty, betrayal, and the burdens of unspoken expectations, all while Anneliese struggles to regain her strength and find her footing in an environment that feels increasingly hostile.

Moreover, the arrival of Adrian, Gianna’s father, looms on the horizon, hinting at a potential shift in the family dynamic. How will he react to the unfolding chaos, and what secrets might he bring to light? Anneliese’s past remains shrouded in mystery, and as her relationship with the Malone family deepens, the truth about her connection to them may surface in shocking ways. Expect revelations that will not only test Anneliese’s resolve but also challenge the very fabric of the Malone family’s relationships. With emotions running high and tensions simmering, the next chapter is set to be a whirlwind of drama, leaving readers breathless and eager for more.