The way Alastor looked at Anastasia was getting even more complicated.
Before, he thought Anastasia was just a bit materialistic, and as long as he provided her with enough material comfort, sheâd be content.
But now, the more he got to know her, the more he found Anastasia to be frightening.
Alastor had initially planned to handle this media crisis for Anastasia and have someone look into Sienna, but he discovered that Sienna had vanished.
There were signs of struggle and forced entry at the rental house where Sienna lived.
It was clear that someone had kidnapped Sienna.
Anastasia was equally shocked, staring at Alastor. âSienna is missing?â
Sienna still had what Anastasia needed in her possession.
âHeh, Anastasia, itâs a shame youâre not in showbiz, as youâre really missing out on some good acting opportunities,â Alastorâs eyes bore into Anastasia, heavy with anger.
âAlastor, Siennaâs disappearance has nothing to do with me!â Anastasia stared at Alastor in desperation. Was he blaming everything on her now?
She thought, âItâs just a divorce. Have I become utterly heinous and unforgivable?â
âSienna deleted and erased all the negative posts about you from her social media before she disappeared. Youâre saying her vanishing isnât related to you? Anastasia, I think youâve lost it! If this blows up, no one will be able to save you.â Alastor thought Anastasia had gone mad. If the police got involved, what she had done could be considered a crime.
Anastasiaâs breath grew rapid as she looked at Alastor, with her body becoming stiff. âDo you think Iâm capable of kidnapping?â
âWhat canât you do?â Alastor was unsure why, but whenever he wanted to have a reasonable conversation with Anastasia and try to convince her to right her ways, he couldnât seem to control his temper around her.
Anastasia took a step back, pressing herself against the wall.
She was too worn out to explain anymore.
No matter how much she explained, Alastor wouldnât believe her.
âIâm back. You can leave nowâ¦â Anastasia pointed toward the door, urging Alastor to go.
âWeâre not divorced yet!â Alastor reminded Anastasia once again. They had only signed the agreement.
Anastasiaâs head throbbed, making her unsteady on her feet.
Seeing Anastasia about to collapse, Alastor instinctively pulled her into his arms. âStop with these little tricks.â
Anastasia felt her chest tighten, but she couldnât release it.
âI wonât leave tonight. Tomorrow morning, weâll visit Grandma to wish her a Happy Christmas.â Alastorâs voice was firm. It was a command, not a request.
He ordered Anastasia to go with him to see Andrea tomorrow.
âThink carefully before you answer Grandmaâs questions tomorrow,â Alastor warned Anastasia.
Anastasia took a deep breath, barely managing to support herself as she sat at the dining table. She couldnât get angry; she would meet her endâ¦.
Turning away from Alastor, Anastasia felt her fingers ached as if theyâd been crushed by a car wheel.
It hurt so much.
Every inch of her bones ached.
Yet, she couldnât take any painkillers.
Suppressing her tears, Anastasia opened the container of ravioli that Jason had brought her, her hands trembling as she picked one up. She bit into it, and a smile broke through, for there was a chestnut inside.
As she ate, Anastasiaâs laughter turned into sobs.
Desperately stuffing ravioli into her mouth, she found that each contained a chestnut.
Jasan badly wanted to see her happy. He had secretly slipped chestnuts into each of the ravioli.
[Annie, Happy Christmas. You must be doubly happy this year.â
Anastasia stared at Jasonâs message on WhatsApp, trembling as she cried.
Alastor didnât leave. After showering, he emerged to find Anastasia trying to wolf down ravioli.
When she couldnât eat anymore, she hugged a trash can and retched, only to resume eating afterward.
Frowning. Alastor thought Anastasia was losing her mind.
âSo, you love him that much?â Did she really love him that much?
He thought, âDoes she love him enough to not want to waste anything he gave her?
Anastasia paid no attention to Alastor and, as he reached for a ravioli, she stared coldly at him. âThese were made by Jason for me. Youâre not worthy.â
Alastorâs fingers slowly clenched, and veins protruded on the back of his hand.
âVery well. This is just perfect,â he thought, Anastasiaâs behavior guarding the ravioli was reminiscent of a fiercely territorial wolf.
âAfter all these years, what part havenât I satisfied you in?â Alastor was angry. Holding Anastasiaâs wrist, he dragged her into the bathroom.
âWhat can a penniless beggar like him offer you? Can he give you the security you want or the wealth and luxury you desire? Can he fulfill your vanity?â Alastor raged.
He could tolerate Anastasiaâs vanity and materialism, but he couldnât accept that she would abandon the carefully calculated wealth he had provided her and choose a poor nobody.
The male ego was indeed a terrible thing.
Anastasia was bent over the toilet, vomiting heavily, yet she was smiling.
âYouâre asking me what part you havenât satisfied me in?â Anastasia stood up, still holding onto the toilet, her tone dripping with irony. âIn the four years of our marriage, I can count on one hand the times youâve touched me. You couldnât satisfy me, so of course I went looking for someone else!â
âYou put yourself in the role of my husband, yet you canât forget your first love. Youâre torn between me and her. Are you any better than me?â Anastasia continued to provoke Alastor, and herself, too.
Alastor fell silent, his brows visibly furrowed.
âI didnât satisfy you?â Alastor turned on the shower, trapping Anastasia between his body and the wall.
Anastasia was drenched, and her whole body was wet. Still, she stubbornly stared at Alastor.
âOkay then, Iâll satisfy you tonightâ¦â Alastor threw off his towel and, pressing Anastasiaâs head, kissed her fiercely.