Chapter 23 Wash Him Away
Chapter 23 Wash Him Away
Just then, a car horn blared downstairs, and Anneliese had a bad feeling.
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Jessica hurried to the window and peeked out, then immediately cursed. “He actually had the nerve to show up!”
With that, she rolled up her sleeves and, without a second thought, grabbed a four–pound dumbbell off the floor and stormed toward the door.
Afraid she might actually go through with it, Anneliese rushed over to stop her. “Don’t–we’re living in a lawful society. If he gets hurt, he deserves it, but if something happens to you, I’ll be the one heartbroken.”
Jessica hesitated, then put the dumbbell down. But instead of calming down, she spun on her heel and dashed into the kitchen.
Anneliese thought she was going for a cleaver and instinctively pressed a hand to her forehead —but to her surprise, Jessica came charging back out just a second later, heading straight for the window.
They lived on the third floor, and Riverview Court was an old neighborhood with low buildings. As soon as the window flew open, Zacharias, who had been leaning casually against his Maybach, immediately looked up.
He took a few steps forward and lifted his chin, eyes narrowing as he scanned the window for a glimpse of Anneliese’s silhouette.
And that was when Jessica, without a moment’s hesitation, tipped an entire basin of water over the edge.
Splash!
Zacharias reacted fast, jerking sideways to dodge, but he still got the hem of his trousers soaked. Even in the dark, his expression was thunderous.
He glared upward, but Jessica didn’t flinch. “How do you like the foot bath, Mr. Shaw? Want another taste before you leave?”
Just the thought of Sh*tShaw siding with his witch of a mother and his bratty sister, bullying Annie–and even trying to put poor Meatloaf down–made Jessica want to put him down too.
“Jessica!” Zacharias barked, eyes sharp and cutting through the darkness. “Don’t think I won’t come after you!”
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Chapter 23 Wash Him Away
Jessica rolled her eyes. “I’d love to see you try!”
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With a bang, she slammed the window shut, then yanked the curtains closed in one dramatic motion.
Of course, Zacharias wasn’t going to back off that easily.
Jessica’s phone started ringing nonstop, and Zacharias somehow managed to get through the downstairs security and made it up to their floor. The knocking started–loud, persistent, impossible to ignore.
Jessica shoved Anneliese toward the back. “Go lie down. Let me handle that jack*ss.”
But Anneliese pulled her back. “Forget it. He won’t stop until he sees me.”
At that, she calmed the whimpering Meatloaf, locked it in the bedroom, and only then opened the front door. Her gaze was calm, restrained, and steady as she looked at Zacharias.
Zacharias locked eyes with her, his sharp features tight with controlled anger. “Come home with me.”
He reached for her, but Anneliese dodged him, and Jessica immediately smacked his arm with a clothes hanger. “Mr. Shaw, what the hell do you want Annie for? To take her back and keep torturing her with your lovely little family?”
“This is none of your business!” Zacharias snatched the hanger out of her hand and snapped it clean in half, the wooden pieces clattering to the floor.
Seeing that only made Jessica more furious. “What, you gonna hit me now? Just like your dad, who’s in prison?”
That jab hit him hard. Zacharias‘ face twisted with rage. “Shut up!”
The two looked like they were seconds away from throwing punches, so Anneliese stepped in, pulling Jessica behind her. “I’m not going back with you. You can leave now.”
Zacharias stared at her coldly. His patience had clearly run out. “Anneliese! My mom and my sister are both seriously hurt, and you put a hole in my head. What more do you want? I’m giving you a chance to walk away with some dignity. Don’t push your luck.”
“And what if I don’t take it?”
“Then don’t bother coming back. Ever again.” His voice was ice.
He waited–waited for her to panic, to cry, to beg him for forgiveness. That was how it always
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Chapter 23 Wash Him Away
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went. Every time they fought, she was the first to fold, to say sorry, to cling to him. So, this time couldn’t be any different.
She was just acting out because he hadn’t given her enough attention lately. It was a tantrum, a cry for him to notice her again. If she softened up, he might even humor her.
But Anneliese’s face remained calm. In fact, she merely nodded. “Got it. If that’s all you came to say, then you can leave.”
Zacharias‘ eyes widened in shock. For a split second, he froze.
She had changed.
She didn’t seem to care about him anymore. But that wasn’t possible. She had loved him so much. Every time they fought before, wasn’t she always the first to give in, to apologize, to beg for forgiveness?
This time couldn’t be any different. She was just acting out because he’d been ignoring her lately. This was all to get his attention–she wanted him to coax her.
“Anneliese, the more you act like this, the more tired of you I get. You don’t even realize how exhausting you are.
“I’m telling you now–this little push–pull game of yours? I’m not buying it. Come home. Apologize at the hospital tomorrow. Take the dog back to the pet store, and promise never to bring it home again. Do that, and we’ll be done with this.”
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