James Harrison paced around the living room again, giving Anastasia a subtle gaze. Thalia didn’t notice it because she was talking about all the awful guys she’s dated in the past.


    However, Anastasia noticed him. He went back to the kitchen as soon as he came to the living room.


    "I need to use the bathroom real quick. Wait here for me," said Thalia. Without waiting for Anastasia to respond, she excused herself, rushing upstairs towards her room.


    Anastasia nced around. The servants were not around.


    She stood up, headed to the kitchen, and saw James pouring himself a ss of liquor.


    "You know alcohol is not good for your health, uncle," she said, reaching for a jug of water and pouring herself a ss.


    "I know what’s best for me," he replied. There was a pause. "And I’m not your uncle." There was an edge to his tone, making Anastasia certain it wasn’t going to take time for him to spit out what his problem with her was.


    "You’re Robert’s younger brother. Even though he wasn’t my biological father, you’re still my uncle," she responded, raising the ss to her lips.


    James turned to re at her.


    "I’ll never consider a murderer like you a part of my family!" He barked. If Anastasia was hurt, she didn’t show it.


    Her expression was calm and collected.


    "I’m a murderer. What about it?" She asked.


    James gritted his teeth, with his hands clenched around his ss. "You killed my brother. You destroyed his family, and you act like you don’t even care."


    Anastasia had no idea how he’de to know that she was the one who killed Robert. Maybe it was because if Robert was still alive, he would have contacted him. But it’d been a year since he disappeared—dead.


    "You and that husband of yours are murderers and need to be punished for your crime," he continued. Anastasia took a deep breath but didn’t reply. "I don’t want someone like you hanging around my daughter. You’re only going to put her in danger. So please, don’t evere to my house ever again."


    Anastasiapletely understood where he wasing from. Thalia was her cousin after all. If Thalia had not been around, Anastasia had no idea what would have happened to the children at the orphanage.


    "What’s going on here?" Thalia suddenly asked. Anastasia’s head snapped towards her, hoping she hadn’t overheard her conversation with James.


    "Nothing. I—"


    "Anastasia was just leaving," James said, cutting her off.


    Anastasia turned to scowl at him. He didn’t want her hanging around her at all and he meant every word.


    "Wait. You just arrived," Thalia said, turning to Anastasia. "My mum wants to cook dinner for you."


    "Tell her I’lle again next time and we can talk another time. I still have to visit my parents," Anastasia replied.


    She gave Thalia a tight hug and turned to leave.


    She suddenly felt something was wrong somewhere. She wasn’t sure what it was.


    "Did you say anything to Ana?" Thalia immediately attacked James.


    "Not at all. Anastasia is a busy woman. She has apany to run, a family to see," he tried to exin but Thalia didn’t believe him.


    Without giving him an answer, she also turned to leave.


    When James was sure that Thalia was out of sight. He brought out his phone and sent out a text.


    Upstairs, Thalia was texting Anastasia, asking if her father had said something wrong to her. She’d pretended to not notice it, but the man had been giving Anastasia the looks since she arrived.


    There was suddenly a knock on her door.


    "Come in," she said.


    James entered the room.


    "I have something very important to tell you," he said, his hands in his pockets. From his stance, Thalia could already sense it wasn’t good news, at least from her end.


    "What is it?" She asked.


    "I have arranged someone for you. He’s going to be your husband."