Chapter 3 Stole Her Husband

Annabelle's hand stiffened on the wheelchair's wheel. She froze near the entrance, unable to move forward. Then, Samuel's voice broke the silence. "Elise, I don't want to hear that kind of talk again, especially when Belle is here." Elise's smile stiffened for a moment. She tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, "Okay." Annabelle stayed frozen in the doorway. She tried to turn away, but in her haste, she bumped into the shoe cabinet. Inside the house, there was a sudden hush, followed by hurried footsteps. Samuel reappeared, carrying a small child in his arms. Annabelle looked up and could not help but think that Elise was right. The child really did resemble Samuel. Seeing Annabelle's reddened eyes, Samuel's heart skipped a beat. He quickly put Lucas down, kneeled in front of her, and took her hand. "What's wrong, Belle? My car broke down last night, so I asked the driver to pick you up. Where did you go? Why did it take so long for you to get back? If he can't do his job properly, I'll just find someone else." Though his words sounded caring, they stung Annabelle deeply. She forced a bitter smile, noting the fact that he didn't even check with the driver beforehand. She had thought she had already accepted everything and would no longer feel pain, but her heart still ached. She turned her head, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile. "It's nothing. I just went to see a friend." Samuel finally relaxed. "Good, as long as you were with a friend. When did you get in? I didn't hear a thing." At his words, Annabelle realized the truth. His concern had only been a pretense. He was just checking whether she had overheard anything she shouldn't have. Her expression grew cold. She pulled her hand away calmly and said, "I just got in. I didn't hear anything." Samuel's smile faltered. He gave her hand a weak squeeze but said no more. Annabelle shifted her gaze behind him. Samuel quickly rose and offered an explanation. "Belle, Elise just returned to the country and has nowhere to stay. She also happens to be my mother's attending physician. I thought it would be all right to let her stay here for now. Please don't misunderstand." Annabelle saw the protective look on his face and felt any remaining hope she had faded away. She looked down, clenched her fists, and tried to keep her composure. "Okay, I understand. I'm tired and want to rest." Samuel was taken aback by her calmness. A strange feeling rose inside him, but he didn't press further. He assumed she was truly tired and began to push her wheelchair toward the master bedroom. Annabelle interrupted, saying, "I would like to go to my own room." Samuel froze on the spot. As Annabelle wondered why he stopped, Elise walked forward while holding the child. She pointed to a door and said, "Do you mean that room? That used to be my room at the Felton residence. I'm used to sleeping there, so Sam just let me move in." She kept calling him "Sam" with such intimacy that Annabelle could hear the subtle challenge hidden in her tone. She turned to Samuel in a daze, hoping that he would say something to defend her, but he didn't. "It's just a room," Samuel said flatly. "Elise wanted it, so I gave it to her. If you want, Belle, I'll have a guest room cleaned up for you." Annabelle closed her eyes, trying to hold back the rush of hurt and disappointment that threatened to overwhelm her. That room was a special gift from Samuel when they first got married. He had personally renovated and decorated it for her, knowing she had lost her parents early and had no family home to go back to. He told her to think of it as her safe haven. Whenever he upset her without realizing it, all she needed to do was move into that room, and he would understand. But now, he had long since forgotten. He didn't remember what it meant to her. To him, it had become just another room. Annabelle pressed a hand to her chest, willing herself to stay composed through the ache. Lifting her chin, she said stubbornly, "No. I want that room."