Chapter 48 Question Anna

But make what? Daisy worried.

Pulling out her phone, Daisy sent a message to Kate to tell her that Joseph invited Anna to dinner.

**

Later that evening, Joseph sat the bar in an expensive hotel. Anna walked in, wearing a bright red dress and a huge smile. She was overjoyed to see Joseph, but he didn't change the cold expression on his face. When Anna approached him, he got up and started walking toward another room.

Anna could sense something was going on when Joseph didn't greet her with a kiss, but she followed closely behind me anyway. She hoped that it was all in her mind and that Joseph was only acting that way if anyone saw them together. As they entered a private room, Anna was happy to see they would be alone.

It is so sweet to have a date with Joseph, just two of us! I must seize the chance to get as close to him as possible. Anna encouraged herself.

Quickly pulling out a chair next to where Joseph stood, Anna was about to sit down when Joseph pointed to the seat in front of him and demanded, "Sit there!"

The pleasant daydream Anna had of everything being okay between them quickly faded.

"Darling, Mom wanted to see you. She misses you a lot," Anna said to break the ice.

"What happened with the cut on your forehead?" Joseph inquired, completely ignoring Anna's words.

Anna's face went pale when she heard Joseph's question. She tried her best to remain calm, "Never mind, let's forget the past and move forward. I do not want my sister to be punished. So…"

"Did Kate push you?" Joseph asked in an icy tone.

When Joseph continued to question her, Anna realized that it wasn't a date. Joseph was there in Kate's defense; Anna was stunned and she didn't know what to say.

Joseph's patience was wearing thin when he waited for Anna to explain. He sneered, "Are you crazy? You are mean enough to frame Kate."

"Honey…" Anna wanted to say something, but she didn't know what to say.

How did he know? Did Kate explain it to him? But why is he choosing to trust Kate rather than me? Anna wondered.

"Is lying as natural to you as breathing?" Joseph snapped, "I have no idea how many times you lied to me during we were dating!"

Anna felt so scared when Joseph began accusing her that she got up from her chair and walked over to Joseph. She put her hand on his arm and cried, "Joseph, I don't want to lie to you, but I hate Kate. She has always acted better than me. She was too smart for me, so I had no choice but to frighten her. Maybe she should be nice to me in the future; then, I won't…"

"Joseph, have you fallen in love with Kate? Why are you speaking for her?" Anna cried as she collapsed on the floor in tears.

"It has nothing to do with love! I just want to know the whole truth!" Joseph stared at Anna and continued, "And would you please explain what happened last night?"

"Last night?" Anna looked stunned.

"It's you got a stranger to text me last night, wasn't it?" Joseph continued to query. He knew it was too much of a coincidence that Anna was at the same club as Kate and Samuel.

"It was not me. I didn't have anything to do with it. I only ran into Kate at the bar," Anna knew that Joseph didn't like to be scammed, so she wouldn't admit anything.

"It was Kate who spoke rudely to me first. My friend only wanted to defend me. Neither of us expected to see Samuel there…"

"Finished making up the story?" Joseph asked after hearing her explanation.

"Honey, if you don't trust me …" Anna got panic and began to tremble.

"I DON'T TRUST YOU!" Joseph yelled at Anna. He looked at her pitifully and said, "It was you who started the fight and got someone to hurt her."

"No, Joseph. I didn't, it wasn't me," Anna refused to admit it, she continued, "I am not as bad as Kate says."

"You test my trust and temper over and over. Don't blame me for acting harshly," Joseph got up and turned his back to Anna before saying, "I could forgive you this time, but do not take it for granted."

"Joseph, you shouldn't be so cruel-hearted to me," Anna crawled toward him and hugged his leg, "I only do this because I love you. You have been ignoring me lately, and I can't stand it. I envy Kate; why does she get to be with you all of the time?"

"Don't touch me!" Joseph demanded.

Anna burst into hysterical crying; she thought about letting go of his leg. She was worried that if she let go of him now, she would lose him forever.

The emotional outburst angered Joseph even further. He bent down and pried her arms off of his leg.

"Anna, you know exactly why we began dating in the first place. We'd better…"

"NO!" Anna knew what Joseph was going to say next. She grabbed his leg again and cried, "Joseph, I don't want to break up. I love you and can't lose you. I will do anything; I don't want the treasures, I don't want to be Lady Anna. I just want you. Please, don't do this!"

After calming himself down, Joseph answered, "Anna, if we don't know each other, our relationship won't last long. Plus, I am married now; there is no chance of us being together!"

Joseph pulled her arms off of his leg again, then, in a calm and gentle voice, said, "Let's forget the past and move on. Please make sure you take care of yourself in the future."

"NO!" Anna was desperate after hearing Joseph's words. She buried her head on the floor and sobbed.

Joseph had considered forgiving Anna after discovering the truth about the letters, but Anna continued to lie and disappoint him. He could not continue their relationship even if he wasn't married.

**

At the Smith mansion, Kate went for a walk after she had her dinner alone. It was a warm summer night, but the breeze blowing off the mountains was cool and crisp, which was just what Kate needed. She thought about living a quiet, peaceful life with the love of her life in a small but welcoming home. The dream was simple, yet it was just a dream that disappeared when she got the text from Daisy.

Kate looked up at the night sky and wondered what her husband and sister were doing on their date. Tears started running down her face when she thought of how happy they probably were.

Suddenly, a car horn startled her. She quickly wiped away the tears and turned, and then she saw Joseph getting out of his car.

Didn't he go on a date with Anna? Why is he home so soon? Kate wondered to herself.

Seeing that Kate was out walking, Joseph immediately asked, "What are you doing here?"

Kate noticed that there wasn't a caring tone in his voice, but it wasn't nearly as cold as usual. She was angry with him going on a date with Anna, so she snapped, "I can go anywhere I want. It is none of your business!"

"You shouldn't be out with an injured leg," Joseph reminded Kate.