Chapter 249

Annie's POV

I glanced at the clock in the corner of my computer screen-5:45 PM already. Under the office lighting, I couldn't focus on the design draft before me, my thoughts drifting back to that awkward meeting with Philip hours earlier.

Those scattered photos-Howard's college days, a girl I'd never seen before.Philip's confident expression seemed etched into my retina, impossible to shake off.

I remembered his words, spoken with such certainty, as if he'd discovered some earth-shattering secret: "Look at these similarities, Annie, don't you find it strange? You and her, both from single-parent households,both illustrators, both experienced unfair treatment at school..."

My fingertips lightly touched the mouse without clicking anything. These photos, these old stories, shouldn't affect me. But Howard was different,wasn't he? I had allowed myself to fall in love with him...

I could see his focused profile just by looking up, hear his deep voice on the phone, smell that mixture of cedar and amber that always surrounded him. He sat just a few meters away, brow slightly furrowed,his long fingers leaving marks on documents. This image should have reassured me,but today itonly confused me more.

No, I needed to talk to him. We had already decided to get married. If we couldn't be honest about this, our relationship would be built on lies from the start.

"Howard," I heard my voice drift out, hoarser than usual, "could we talk?"

He immediately looked up, his gaze falling warmly on my face. He was always like this-no matter how busy, he could instantly give me his complete attention.

"Of course," he put down his document, "you've seemed distracted all day.What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, my fingertips unconsciously curling into my palms: "Philip came to see me at lunch."

Howard's expression instantly became alert, his eyes narrowing slightly like a lion sensing danger: "What did he do?"

My heart beat faster, like butterflies fluttering in my chest: "He showed me something...about your college girlfriend." I met his gaze, trying to find fragments of truth in it, "He said she was a lot like me. Single-parent family, liked drawing, bullied at school... he implied I'mjust her...replacement."

I felt my palms growing slightly damp. In that moment, I realized how afraid I was of losing Howard,losing Lucy,losing this family I had finally found.

Howard's expression changed rapidly, from surprise to confusion,before unexpectedly breaking into a light laugh.

"So that's his new trick?" Howard's tone carried obvious mockery, "Using my relationship from twenty years ago to disrupt us?"

Howard stood up and walked around his desk to face me. His movements were unhurried but carried an unprecedented solemnity. He didn't touch me, just stood there, giving me enough space: "Yes, I didI have a profound relationship in college. She was special... intelligent, stubborn, and full of

creativity."

Howard continued, his voice deep and sincere: "But Annie, you're not her replacement. That relationship ended long ago. She's married now-I even attended her wedding. We haven't been in contact since."

"So those similarities are just coincidences?" I heard my voice trembling,my heart like a pebble suspended at a cliff's edge,one gust of wind away from falling into the abyss.

Howard's gaze met mine directly, clear and resolute: "Life is full óf these coincidences. Annie. But I love you, Annie Baker, not because of any similarities you might share with someone else, but because you are you.Uniquely you."

He reached out, his warm palm covering the back of my hand, that warmth beginning to mnelt the ice within me. I could feel my defenses gradually dissolving, the shadows cast by those photos being driven away by Howard's honesty.

"I believe you," I heard myself say softly, my eyes growing warm, "I just...I don't want secrets between us."

"No secrets," Howard's voice was as steady as a promise, "complete honesty from now on."

We smiled at each other, the tension in the air dissipating, replaced by a deep understanding and acceptance. Howard slowly leaned closer,and I could feel his breath brush my cheek, carrying comfort and anticipation.Just as our lips were about to touch-

"Uh, sorry to interrupt!" A lively female voice suddenly intruded as the office door was pushed open forcefully,making a harsh scraping sound.

Catherine Morgan stood in the doorway,wearing a brilliant smile,holding a folder, looking like a gossip bomb about to explode.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't know you were..." She noticed our intimate posture.a flash of embarrassment crossing her face as she made to retreat, then stopped as if remembering something. "But this news really can't wait!"

Howard reluctantly released my hand, adjusted his tie,his voice betraying undisguised irritation: "Catherine, are you familiar with the concept of knocking?"

"Sorry, boss," Catherine grinned without a hint of remorse, her attention completely turning to me, "but you have to hear this gossip!"

Howard shook his head, returning to his seat: "I'll finish these documents while you two chat."

Catherine pulled me to a corner of the office like a whirlwind,lowering her voice. eyes sparkling with excitement: "Remember Bill White? That guy who kept harassing me?"

I nodded, recalling the man who once pestered Catherine at the restaurant-a completely ordinary-looking man with excessive self-confidence.

"I finally know why he always knew my work schedule!" Catherine's voice carried treasure-discovery excitement, "It was Caroline Gluck who told him!Sarah Johnson's good friend!"

"Caroline?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise, a wave of discomfort rising in my chest. I'd seen Caroline a few times, always following Sarah around,smugly judging everyone's clothes, hair, and background."Why would she do that?"

"Apparently she thinks I don't deserve to work at Howard Technologies,"Catherine smirked, a flash of vengeful satisfaction in her eyes, "so I did something brilliant. I told Bill that Caroline has secretly been in love with him but is too shy to confess."

"Youdidn't!" I gasped, both shocked and irresistibly drawn to Catherine's boldness.

"I absolutely did!" Catherine clapped her hands proudly,like a child who'd completed a prank. "Now Bill bothers Caroline every day, and that fallen rich boy expects Caroline to support him! She not only has to work but also deal with a parasite. It's so satisfying!"

I shook my head, but my lips curved upward involuntarily: "Catherine,you're really..."

"Brilliantly clever?" Catherine winked, "Anyway, I won't distract you anymore. I just couldn't wait to share this with you."

After Catherine left. I realized it was nearly an hour past my usual quitting time. I quickly saved my files, shut down my computer, and tidied my desk. Though Catherine's interruption had delayed my wvork,my doubts about Howard's ex-girlfriend had dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I stood up and said to Howard, "Catherine's gossip took longer than expected."

Howard closed his folder, his face full of gentle smiles: "No problem. Let's go pick up Lucy now, we're already later than usual."

I nodded, quickly gathered my bag, and left the office with Howard.Walking toward the elevator, I secretly moved closer to him, feeling his warmth. Thinking about how we would soon see Lucy's angelic smile, a

warm current of happiness flowed through my heart. After Philip's attempts to drive us apart, I was more certain than ever that this was the life I wanted-with Howard, with Lucy, a real family.

When Howard's car stopped in front of Upper East SidePrivate Preschool,I sensed something unusual. The school was much quieter than normal;typically at this hour, several children would still be waiting for their parents. My intuition sharply detected that something was wrong, and my heart suddenly accelerated.

"Strange." Howard frowned, his voice revealing a hint of unease,"there should still be a few kids waiting for pickup at this time."

An indescribable fear suddenly gripped my heart, making breathing difficult. I didn't know why I had this premonition, but my body reacted before my mind: "Let's go inside and check."

We hurried to the front desk. When Ms. Wilson saw us, a flash of surprise crossed her face, intensifying my anxiety.

"Mr. Thompson? Ms. Baker? You're a little late. I thought Lucy had already been picked up."

"What?" Howard and I asked in unison. I felt dizzy, as if the ground were tilting beneath my feet.

Ms. Wilson looked at us with confusion: "Nobody picked her up, but she's not in the waiting area. I thought Mr. and Mrs. Parker came for her,since they sometimes do."

My nails dug unconsciously into my palms as I asked apprehensively.

"Is that so?"