Book To Read
MISTAKE 164
Chapter 164: Anya does not care
But in that moment, his devastation was eclipsed by a sense of righteous purpose. If pursuing charges against Gina and her anonymous accomplice was what it took to restore even a glimmer of justice to his existence, then he would pursue it relentlessly until his dying breath.
After all, he had already been granted a miraculous second chance at life. He couldn’t allow such a profound betrayal to slip through the cracks of a broken legal system unpunished.
Anya awoke with a slight start, momentarily disoriented by the mid–afternoon sunlight filtering through the bedroom curtains. She blinked slowly, trying to shake off the lingering tendrils of her nap as she reached blindly for her phone on the nightstand.
The bright screen displayed a missed call notification from an unknown number. Frowning slightly, she tapped the voicemail icon and lifted the device to her ear as the message played back
“Ms. Jones, this is Detective Carr with the Metropolitan Police Department,” an authoritative male voice stated. “I regret to disturb you, but we have a rather delicate situation regarding your uncle, Martin Jones. He has recently regained consciousness from his coma.”
Anya felt herself stiffen at the words, instantly more awake. Her relationship with Martin had been strained for years after the bitter divorce from her mother, but she never wished true harm upon him.
“Mr. Jones has made some…very serious allegations against your stepmother, Gina Jones,” Carr continued, his tone becoming more grim. “At this time, we are taking all precautions to ensure his safety and well–being while this situation is thoroughly investigated. I’m informing you of these developments out of courtesy, but I must stress that this is an open case. You and your sister
Emma are instructed not to take any independent actions that could potentially compromise our work.
The message concluded with Carr leaving his direct number, instructing Anya to contact him if she had any other questions or concerns. She let out a slow breath, setting her phone aside. as she processed the development.
Part of her wanted to feel righteously vindicated – she and Emma had long accused Gina of being nothing more than a heartless gold–digger looking to latch onto their wealthy uncle’s fortunes. If Martin had awoken with evidence of Gina’s true motives and intentions…
Shaking her head, Anya forced the thoughts from her mind. As much as she may have disliked Gina, she couldn’t bring herself to truly wish harm on the woman. Martin’s choices regarding his second marriage had been his own, misguided as they might have been. Anya and Emma had made peace with removing themselves from that toxic situation long ago.
With a sigh, she picked up her phone once more and hit the callback number for Detective Carr.
164 Anya dorona
“Yes, this is Anya Jones returning your call,” she said when he picked up. “I appreciate you reaching out to me about my uncle’s condition, but I don’t believe any further involvement from me or my sister is necessary at this time.”
She paused, choosing her words carefully. “For reasons I’d rather not go into, Emma and I have… separated ourselves from that side of the family, Martin included. Whatever legal matters exist between him and our stepmother, Gina, are none of our concern. He’s free to pursue charges or make decisions as he sees fit without our input.”
There was a loaded pause at the other end of the line before Carr spoke once more. “I understand, Ms. Jones. Thank you for your time regardless – we just wanted to make you aware of the situation out of due diligence. We’ll proceed with Mr. Jones’s case as he directs, then.”
The call ended, and Anya set her phone aside with an inward sigh. Despite the turmoil clearly brewing between Martin and Gina, she felt oddly..unmoved by it all. Perhaps it was for the best that she and Emma had long ago cut their toxic family ties before they could spiral into the cesspools of drama and deception their parents seemed so intent on wallowing within.
Her stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly, reminding her that her brief nap had lasted far longer than anticipated. Forcing thoughts of her estranged family from her mind, Anya rose from the bed and made her way downstairs to locate the kitchen staff.
“Oh, Mrs. Fletcher!” one of the elder housekeepers exclaimed in surprise when Anya entered. We weren’t expecting you to be awake yet. Can I have Maria prepare something for your lunch?
Η NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Anya waved off the woman’s fussing as her stomach issued another impatient rumble. “Na need – I’ll just have them put together a simple plated lunch for me to take in the garden. The fresh air might help kick this lingering fatigue.”
She was loath to admit – even to herself – that she’d been feeling rather run down and lethargic as of late. No doubt it was just hormones and stress; her next monthly cycle was due to start in the coming week, after all. But the lack of energy still nagged at her, which was why she preferred to take her meals outdoors whenever possible. Something about being surrounded by the lush, lovingly–cultivated gardens on the Fletcher estate grounds helped to rejuvenate her spirit.
Leaving the kitchen staff to their duties, Anya made her way through the impressive manse and out into the secluded backyard courtyard. A wrought–iron table and chairs sat arranged in a quaint
alcove, sheltered from the harsher elements while still allowing the gentle breeze and soft fragrances from the flowerbeds to permeate the space. She settled into one of the chairs with a contented sigh, simply allowing herself to exist in the tranquil environment as she awaited her meal.
She’d been there for nearly half an hour when the sound of footsteps crunching across the pebbled path reached her ears. A moment later, a familiar form appeared – her husband
tart, still dressed in his smart benisse atricefter putting in a few hours of work from his home office that diereen
“There you are,” he said warmly, crossing the courtyard to join ber at the table. “I was wondering where you’d gotten off to warm you weren’t napping upstairs”
Anya favored him with a tired smile, arting arous the table to give his hand an affectionate squeeze. “I woke up feeling groggy and famished, so I decided to have lunch brought out here to enjoy the fresh air. You know how much I love his little cuts you designed for me”
Daniel’s returning stille was tender, the expression crinding the laugh lines around his warm blue eyes. “Of course, my dear Though I must fruit, I’m a but concerned about this lingering fatigue you’ve been experiencing lately. Have you comidered asking your physician to examine you? It’s not normal for you to feel so eadlessly run down like this.”
He spoke with a gentle concem, not a hint of admonishment or criticism in his tone. After nearly ten years of blissfully happy marriage, he knew well how to broach sensitive subjects with his wife without setting her off. Anya felt a surge of affection for her steadfast, caring husband; the man who had truly become her refuge from the series of familial storms that had defined so much of her youth and young adulthood
“You’re right, I should get it checked out,” she acquiesced, offering him a small smile. ” Though I suspect it’s just this time of the month reeking havoc with my system as usual. I’ll be fresh as a daisy again once my cycle resets itself in a week or so.”
Daniel arched an eyebrow at her dismissive words, his expression one of fond exasperation. Even so, I think a check–up is in order, just to be sure there isn’t an underlying cause that needs to be addressed. Until then…why don’t you come have a rest inside where it’s cool and comfortable? I’ll keep you company while we await your meal.”