Chapter 182: Anna's Warning

I turned off my phone with a snap, irritation boiling in my chest. I didn't want to think about it anymore. But when lunch rolled around, I went anyway. Deep down, I knew nothing good would come from this meeting. Still, avoiding Anna would only make things worse. If I didn't show, she wouldn't let it go. I didn't have another option. The coffee shop was quiet when I walked in, all soft lighting and the hum of conversation. I spotted Anna immediately. She sat by the window, her posture perfect, a steaming latte in hand. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine, designer clothes, flawless hair, lipstick that probably cost more than my entire outfit. She was stunning, and she knew it. I drew in a breath and walked over. Sliding into the seat across from her, I kept my expression cool, my voice even. "What would you like to drink?" she asked, her tone polite but distant. She didn't dive straight into the topic, which almost surprised me. "No, thank you. I don't have