Anastasia's cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
Moments ago, their passion had burned hotter, but somehow, this gentle kiss- those two simple words-hit her even harder. Her heart pounded with such intensity she feared it might leap right out of her chest.
She pressed a hand quietly over her heart, eyes lifting to the impossibly handsome man before her, gazing at him with open, helpless adoration.
God, her husband was just so devastatingly attractive...!
Their eyes met, and Harrison's gaze darkened instantly. His arm tightened around her waist, drawing her closer.
He was just about to deepen the moment when—
"Mr. Harrison Lancaster..."
Alice barged in without so much as a knock.
She froze at the sight: Anastasia nestled in Harrison's arms, the two of them looking every bit the intimate couple. Alice's expression soured, her eyes flashing with a jealousy so sharp it looked as if she wanted to tear Anastasia apart.
The interruption sent a flash of annoyance across Harrison's face. "Who told you to come up here?" His voice was cold.
Alice's lips trembled with hurt. He'd never spoken to her like that before...
But she never stopped to consider that Harrison hadn't changed; he'd simply never cared enough to notice her in the first place. His previous attitude wasn't kindness-it was indifference.
"The medicine downstairs has gone cold. I brought up a fresh one," she said, holding out the bowl.
Anastasia's good mood vanished. She cast Alice a sidelong glance. "There are plenty of staff in Rosewood Manor. Do you really need to do this yourself?"
She could tolerate Alice living in the guest wing-as long as she kept to herself and stopped hovering around.
Alice bristled, shooting Anastasia a glare. Harrison was still here—since when did Anastasia get to decide what she could do?
"Mr. Harrison Lancaster-"
"Enough," Harrison cut her off, his voice steely with authority. "Go ask Mary if Rosewood Manor is suddenly short on help."
Alice flinched. "Mr. Harrison Lancaster, can't I even bring you your medicine?"
"Of course not!" Anastasia, tucked securely in Harrison's arms, tightened her grip around his lean waist as if staking her claim. "There's no shortage of staff here, and you're not even an official maid. Why are you always hanging around? Just stay in the guest wing and stop wandering over-how hard can that be?"
Did Alice really think Anastasia couldn't see through her game?
Alice had always considered herself above the staff-half a Lancaster, almost a lady of the house. How could she possibly be content doing servant's work? Bringing medicine was just an excuse to get close to Harrison.
Alice bit her lip. "I was talking to Mr. Harrison Lancaster, not you!"
"Ana speaks for me," Harrison said coolly.
He found his wife's protective jealousy endlessly charming. All his attention was
on the girl in his arms-he didn't spare Alice so much as a glance.
His voice dropped icily. "If you can't remember who Ana is, then there's no need for you to stay at Rosewood Manor."
Alice went white as a sheet.
"Leave," he said, "and don't come back. Ana doesn't want to see you here."
Anastasia's lips curled up in triumph as she nuzzled her cheek against Harrison's solid chest.
"You're the best, darling," she murmured, her voice sugary-sweet.
No matter how many times it happened, his unwavering devotion always sent her heart into a flutter and brought stinging tears to her eyes.
In her past life, she'd failed such a wonderful man. Thank God she'd been given a second chance to make things right.
Harrison was already undone by her closeness; now, hearing her words, his gaze grew even darker.
Ignoring the fact that Alice was still standing there, he cupped Anastasia's chin and leaned down to claim her lips in a deep, possessive kiss.