Chapter 72

I stopped in front of the mirror and pulled up my shirt. A few months of filming later, and I was really starting to show. I kept having to buy new clothes as my size changed. Those jeans I worked so hard to fit into didn’t even make it past my thighs now.

I dropped my shirt and looked over my outfit. I had on a pair of workout leggings, sneakers, and a form-fitting pullover that showed off my protruding belly. Arthur and I were hiking today for our segment. My hair was up in a high ponytail, and I had some natural makeup on. Without it, I had dark circles under my eyes from all the early morning shoots.

Once I was certain I looked okay, I left my room and went down to the lobby. Arthur was already there with the camera crew.

He greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, then led the way out of the small hotel. The town was nestled between two mountains, surrounded by a forest that seemed to stretch on for miles. Everything was so green, and a faint mist clung to the air. It was still early in the morning. Hopefully, the weather would improve as the day went on.

One of the PAs, Jenny, had boots and rain jackets for us in her pack just in case the weather changed. We’d only be hiking until sunset, but none of us wanted to get trapped out in the woods during a storm.

We walked through the town, then entered the forest on a narrow path. The rest of the film crew was already setting up at the beginning of the hike. They had the cameras ready, and they gestured Arthur and me forward.

Arthur introduced the segment while I stood beside him, smiling.

“As you can probably see, today’s guest, Anna, is a few months pregnant now.”

I smiled and turned to the side to give the camera a better view of my belly. They were really leaning into the whole active pregnancy angle.

I introduced myself, then stepped offscreen. Arthur continued with his description of the forest and the hike, walking deeper into the trees as the camera followed him.

“I’m so happy to be here with Anna. I’m sure you all know her from her fitness vlogs.” One of the other cameras focused on me and I waved. “We’re going to set an easy pace today. Nothing too crazy.”

I nodded in agreement, placing my hand on my stomach. “This is a marathon, not a sprint. We want to make it to the end of the hike without collapsing.”

“Very true, I wouldn’t want something to happen to the woman I love.” Arthur winked at the camera and my smile froze. I forced myself to look happy about his comment. What was he doing? “And if Anna wants, I’d like to marry her and be the father of her children.”

The camera was still on me, so I didn’t let the smile fall.

“Don’t worry Anna, that’s not an official proposal,” he said. “Just something to think about.” Luckily, he didn’t seem to need a response from me. “Now, let’s get going.” He started hiking ahead, and I forced myself to follow him, a smile still on my face.

What was he thinking?

Barnett sat down across from his father and picked up his cup of tea. Steam rose from the edge of porcelain, and he waited a moment before taking a sip.

“I think it’s time you go,” his father said. He was a stately man, with graying hair and a full, salt-and-pepper beard. He wore a three-piece suit with a gold chain and a pair of shiny black dress shoes. It was the first day in months he’d had the energy to get dressed. Barnett had gotten oddly used to seeing his father in a red dress rope, something he never saw growing up.

“I don’t have to–” Barnett started, but his father cut him off.

“No,” he said, his voice firm. “I appreciate you being here, but I’m doing a lot better now. There’s no reason for you to stick around. You’ve got a life to get back to and a business to run.”

What Barnett didn’t tell his father was that he’d kind of enjoyed the break. No media. No tabloids. No drama.

It had been a bit of a reprieve, as much as it had been stressful. He rushed home when he found out that his father was sick. He knew he had to be there for his father, not just because he loved the old man, but because he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t help. The two of them had spent the past few months holed up in his father’s townhouse, playing chess, drinking tea, and watching hockey on the TV.

Barnett got to escape his life for a little while, but his father was right. He had to go back. He couldn’t keep avoiding his responsibilities. He couldn’t keep avoiding her.

As much as he was still angry at Anna for pushing him away and hiding her health problems from him, he knew he just needed to talk it out with her. His feelings for her hadn’t gone away as much as he’d hoped they would.

“I guess you’re right,” Barnett said when his father gave him an expectant look.

“Good.” He leaned forward and began placing his chess pieces back on the board. “We’ll have one more game before you go.”

Barnett smiled. “Sounds good, Dad.”

An hour later, he was leaving. His father walked him to that door, and even though he still seemed weak, he at least wasn’t confined to his chair or his bed anymore.

“If anything changes, promise you’ll call me,” Barnett said.

His father clasped him on the shoulder. “I will, son. Don’t worry about me.”

Barnett knew he probably would worry, but that his father wouldn’t let him stay any longer, even if he begged. Once he got in his mind that he wanted something a certain way that was how it had to be done. That’s what happened when someone grew up as the heir of a large fortune. He was used to getting what he wanted without argument.

Barnett was used to giving it to him. His father was a stubborn man, and Barnett knew his place. He always had.

“I’ll call you soon,” he said.

His father just shook his head and closed the door, leaving him alone on the front stoop. He decided to head straight for the office. Julia still had his villa, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to stay in his apartment building. It would just remind him of Anna.

When he got to his office, the first thing he noticed was the gold Aston Martin. Maybe Anna was working? It was the weekend, but he wouldn’t put it past Arthur to make her work on a weekend shoot.

His heart drummed against his chest as he strode across the parking lot and into the building. It was oddly quiet. No paparazzi. No fans. Had they finally given up? He found that hard to believe.

The receptionist greeted him as he walked in, and he gave her a kind smile. He wasn’t in the mood to chat, so he just said a quick hello and took the elevator up to his floor.

His office was quiet when he walked in and he went around, turning on the lights. The first thing he noticed when he sat down was the letter on his desk, placed next to the keys for the Aston Martin. His stomach dropped as he picked up the letter and looked at his name, written in Anna’s elegant handwriting.

He took a breath, then opened it. The note wasn’t long, and it only took him a minute to read it.

Dear Barnett,

I’m sorry to do this through a letter, but I haven’t been able to reach you. I guess you’ve been avoiding me. Maybe I can’t really blame you for that. I’m leaving for a while, and I didn’t want to take the keys with me. The car is yours and now I’ve given it back. I hope you know I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Julia tells me you guys remarried and that she’s pregnant. I guess congratulations are in order. I can’t say I’m not surprised, but either way, I hope you’re happy. I wish you all the best.

With love,

Anna

Barnett reread the letter a few times, his brow furrowing. What did she mean he and Julia remarried? He would never get back together with Julia.

He crumpled the paper in his fist. It felt too much like a goodbye.

Then it hit him. Anna was gone, and he had no idea where she went.