Chapter 52: Farewell

"Are you all packed?" William asked, his eyes following the maids and butlers as they carefully loaded suitcases and bags into the cars waiting outside the mansion gates.

Anna had spent the entire previous day sorting through the things she’d accumulated during her time living with Mrs. Garrel in Paris. As she packed, memories flooded her mind, each item tied to a moment, a conversation, a place. It was bittersweet.

The hours slipped away as she lingered in nostalgia, unable to shake the feeling that she was leaving behind more than just her belongings.

It felt strange. She had spent more than ten months living with Anaїs and her grandson, and while the time had passed in a blur, now that it was ending, the sadness crept in, unexpected and overwhelming.

They hadn’t exactly become family, but they had certainly become something more than strangers—friends, in their own way.

"Yes," Anna finally replied, forcing a smile to hide the lump that formed in her throat. She wiped at her eyes, willing away the bitter tears that threatened to fall. "Sorry, I tried to pack lightly," she added, her gaze narrowing suspiciously as another suitcase was carried past her.

"Yeah, that does look like a lot," William muttered, his brow furrowing in frustration.

"Careful, fellas, the suitcases alone cost a fortune!" A male voice called out, and both Anna and William turned to see who it belonged to.

"Gabriel?" Anna blinked in surprise, her eyebrows shooting up. "What are you doing here?"

Gabriel gave her a condescending look, one that made her stomach churn. "What do you mean, what am I doing?" He shrugged, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I’m transferring my luggage to the cars."

"What?" William chimed in, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What the hell are you talking about?"

A wide, knowing smile curled at the corners of Gabriel’s lips. "I’m coming with you—what else?"

"The hell you are," William growled, his body tensing as he took a step forward, closing the gap between them in an instant.

Gabriel flinched slightly, but his posture quickly straightened. His eyes locked with William’s, a silent challenge in them. "Let’s talk," he said, his voice calm but firm as he led William away, seeking more privacy for their conversation.

"What the hell are you thinking?" William demanded, his voice a low growl once they were out of earshot.

"I think you know why, Will," Gabriel replied, his tone cool and leveled. "You’re a little too intense for someone like her, don’t you think? There needs to be someone who can keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t screw this up."

He raised a brow, while William’s face flushed with rage.

"Stop talking nonsense and take your things back," William spat, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Will," Gabriel’s voice turned icy, and he placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder to stop him from leaving. "Being obsessed with one person when you’re twenty? Sure, that can be written off as cute. But it’s been what? Eleven years now?"

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to hang in the air before adding, "She’s already dealing with enough. I don’t think she needs whatever it is you’re doing to her. I wouldn’t have cared if I thought you were just using her as a tool, but you..." Gabriel’s voice softened, a trace of concern in his eyes. "This is not healthy. I’m just trying to make sure that, when you mess up—and you will—she’ll have someone sane to turn to."

"Stay out of this," William muttered, his voice almost a growl. Gabriel, however, paid no attention to the warning. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder, locking eyes with Anna, and flashed her a wide, mischievous grin.

"You don’t mind if I come with you, right, Chloe?"

Anna’s face immediately flushed, caught off guard by his boldness. She glanced at William, hoping for some kind of support, but he had his back turned, his posture rigid and tense.

"Not at all," she finally responded, her voice a little shakier than she intended. As she spoke, she couldn’t help but notice the way William’s body stiffened, a small but telling shudder running through him.

"Are they fighting again?" Anaїs appeared at Anna’s side, her gloved hands neatly clasped in front of her, her expression bemused. "Boys will be boys, huh?"

"Mrs. Garrel!" Anna greeted warmly, offering the older woman a heartfelt hug. "I was just about to go in and find you. I feel so sad leaving you so soon."

"You came here with nothing," Mrs. Garrel replied, her voice tinged with playful mockery, "but now you’re leaving with two of my boys at your side." She pouted exaggeratedly, giving Anna a teasing, scolding look. "Maybe now I can finally get some peace. Gabriel’s been driving me mad lately!"

Anna couldn’t help but laugh, the warmth in Mrs. Garrel’s words lifting her spirits. "Aren’t you worried about him, though? Gabriel still hasn’t finished his studies."

"How long is that boy going to waste my money?" Mrs. Garrel shook her head, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "William will teach him faster than any top university can. Gabriel needs to learn how to live life on his own, away from his nest."

Anaїs leaned closer to Anna, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, urging her to do the same as though she were about to share a secret.

"These two could never become friends. When William first came to my house, Gabriel was barely fourteen. He used to look up to William, but William never returned his affection."

A deep sigh escaped Anaїs as she shook her head, as if trying to push away the bitter memories of the past. "William doesn’t trust anyone anymore—especially men. But I can’t blame him... not after how his mother died."

She paused, her expression softening, before offering Anna a brief, reassuring smile. Pulling her into one last tight hug, she whispered, "I wish you nothing but the best, Anna. And if you ever need someone to talk to—someone other than these two imbeciles—you’ve got my number."

Anaїs chuckled, and Anna couldn’t help but join in, though the words Mrs. Garrel had just shared lingered in her mind, leaving a sour aftertaste she couldn’t shake.

"Now, you two," Anaїs clapped her hands sharply at Gabriel and William, her voice commanding attention. "Stop arguing and get into the car. Even if you have a private plane, it doesn’t mean you should waste your pilot’s time!"

Gabriel clicked his tongue in mock frustration, rushing to give his grandmother one final hug. "Farewell, Madame Garrel. I’ll miss you terribly."

"Sure, sure, I know you will," Anaїs patted him affectionately on the back before gently pushing him away, signaling for William to step forward. "And you—don’t be too hard on him. It’s time you healed your wounds."

William didn’t reply, but the tension in his jaw spoke volumes, an unspoken frustration simmering beneath the surface. Without a word, he guided Anna toward the car, casting one last lingering glance at the life he was about to leave behind—once more.

"Let’s go," he muttered, his tone firm but quiet, as he helped Anna into the car. "We’ve still got a long road ahead."

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