⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧ ────────── 𝟬𝟬𝟭. 𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐍𝐎 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑, 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄. The morning mist had just begun to clear, casting a soft glow over the sky as the early sun shone through.

Annalise Montgomery didn't surprise her family much when she announced she was going just next door to the Bridgerton house. It didn't surprise anyone at all really. The Bridgerton house has always been a second home to her, it really wasn't a surprise she was there really.

Ever since she was the young age of eight, she visited the Bridgerton House almost every single day due to wanting to visit her new friend, Anthony Bridgerton.

They had always been inseparable, best friends since childhood, spending every waking moment together. But as they grew older, something shifted, an unexplainable pull that sent their hearts racing whenever they were in each other's company.

Their friendship had always been the bedrock of their relationship, a constant in their lives. They found themselves drawn to each other in a way that was both surprising and comforting.

Currently, Annalise was in the Bridgerton's foyer after, quietly being brought in by one of servants. When she walked further inside, she noticed Benedict and Colin Bridgerton in front of her and Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth Bridgerton walking down the staircase.

"I feel like a princess. Do I look like one?" Hyacinth asked her older sisters.

"Do you truly wish to know what I think you look like?" Eloise asked, annoyed.

"I certaintly do think you look like a princess Hyacinth." Annalise stated, announcing her presence in the room.

Hyacinth ran down to Annalise and the latter bent down to look at her "Did you get taller the last time I saw you?"

"You saw me yesterday." Hyacinth giggled.

"I feel like you did." Annalise teased.

"Annalise! When on earth did you get here?" Colin asked and Annalise looked up from Hyacinth to Benedict and Colin.

"A few seconds ago, you both were just too preoccupied to notice me."

"On your left!" Gregory ran past Hyacinth and Annalise.

"Oh, Gregory!" Hyacinth groaned and ran after him.

"Is our dear sister still not ready?" Benedict asked his younger sisters.

"She's only been readying herself the entire night." Francesca replied with a smile.

"You mean her entire life." Eloise stated.

"I shall run upstairs and hasten her along." Colin offered.

"Colin, wait. I'll do it." Colin was stopped by his brother.

"She likes me better than you, Benedict." He remarked.

"Did she say that?" Benedict asked with a frown.

"Everyone says that." Colin's response made Annalise laugh.

Benedict looked towards Annalise with desperation clear on his face and she shrugged lightly "I fear Colin is right, dear Benedict."

Benedict frowned to her response and tried to sputter out words which made Eloise finally lose her patience.

"DAPHNE! You must make haste!"

Everyone stopped and looked at Eloise in disbelief. Meanwhile, she just turned and looked at them with a smile "Should you think she heard me?"

"I believe people heard you from Spain, Eloise."

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 ( and Annalise ) walked outside their house, at the same time at the Featheringtons. Given that they live in front of one another, they had no option but to nod at each other except for Eloise and Penelope, who were best friends.

"Any sign of him yet?" Violet asked her second eldest son who was on top of his horse.

Benedict sighed as he put on his gloves "Should your brother wish to be obeyed as Lord Bridgerton, he must act as Lord Bridgerton, where is he, Benedict?"

"I do not know." He told his mother, who hummed and walked to their carriage.

Annalise walked up to Benedict "I'm going to kill your brother." She threatened before going inside the carriage.

Benedict chuckled "What a lovely start to the day."

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐒 arrived at the Palace and once she got out of her carriage, she walked towards Violet when she saw Anthony hopping down off his horse before he walked towards his family.

"Anthony! You are here." Daphne exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course I am here, sister. I'd never miss such an important day for you and our family." Anthony said and Annalise mocked him causing him to glare at her at the corner of his eye.

"No, you would just be late for it." Violet stated, receiving a glare from her son.

"Shall we?" Anthony asked as he locked arms with his sister, and looked towards Annalise and held out his other arm for her.

Annalise looked at his eyes and back down to his arm repeatedly before reluctantly taking his arm and at once, they all entered the Palace.

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 stood with the Bridgerton brothers and Hyacinth, Eloise and Francesca as they waited for the debutantes to present themselves to the Queen.

"Where is your family?" Anthony whispered down to Annalise and she looked at him blankly before hitting him with her fan three times on the shoulder.

Anthony grabbed her hands to stop her from hitting him more "What on earth was that for?"

"You almost missed your sister's debut, you imbecile." Annalise hissed.

"Well I am here now, aren't I?" Anthony retorted back sarcastically.

Annalise hit him once again on the shoulder and Benedict and Colin snickered from behind her and Anthony interlocked his fingers with hers "Calm down, my love."

Annalise mocked him under her breath but couldn't stop the fluttering in her stomach as he held onto her hand tightly.

"I deeply apologise I was late, I was busy doing things, trying to get my mind over something." Anthony told her.

"Yeah, things like what?"

"Things you shouldn't worry about." Anthony whispered.

"Because I'm a woman?" Annalise teased, a smile coming across her face.

Anthony looked at her blankly and Annalise laughed "Can a woman not joke these days? I forgive you, if it isn't obvious."

Anthony smiled at her and at that time, the announcer were calling out the debutantes and their mothers.

"Miss Prudence Featherington, Miss Philippa Featherington, and Miss Penelope Featherington, all presented by their mother, the Right Honorable Lady Featherington"

When the doors opened, the people exclaimed when they looked at three ladies. However, all excitement went through the door when they tried to fit through the door at the same time. The Queen — who didn't look impressed at all —didn't bother to hide how bored she was.

Once all three of them did their curtsy, Annalise let out a thin smile and winced when The Queen shooed them all away and Lady Featherington didn't bother hiding how hurt she was by the Queen's reaction.

Suddenly, everyone in the room gasped when Prudence fainted and the Montgomery turned her head and started to laughing in Anthony's shoulder so no — one could hear her.

Anthony looked down at the girl with a small smile playing against his lips "You truly are a horrible woman."

Annalise wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes from her laughing and faced the front, a smile still on her lips and at that time, the announcer spoke again.

"Miss Daphne Bridgerton, presented by her mother, the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton"

The doors opened, and Annalise smiled on how beautiful Daphne looked as she walked in with grace. Violet and Daphne made a curtsy in front of the Queen.

"She looks so beautiful." Annalise whispered to Anthony, in awe.

"Yes, she does." Anthony wasn't looking at Daphne.

Surprise was evident on everyone's faces when the Queen stood up and walked down the stairs towards Daphne. The Queen placed her hand under Daphne's chin, making the Bridgerton girl look up and stand straight.

"Flawless, my dear." The Queen smirked.

Annalise starting slapping a person closest to her out of excitement, which was Colin, and he winced and directed her hands towards Anthony. Anthony turned around and looked blankly at his brother who gave him an innocent smile.

Anthony — once again — grasped her hand in his to stop her slapping. Annalise turned to Anthony, excitement etched all over her face "The Queen said ❛ flawless ❜ Anthony!"

"I believe I was there, love." Anthony remarked, sarcastically and Annalise looked at him at the corner of her eye before speaking.

"I'm so proud of her." Annalise gushed and Anthony smiled at her.

"Me too, love, me too."

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐆𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 consisted of 5 people. Arabella Montgomery ( neé Kingston ), Alfred Montgomery, and the three siblings; Arthur Montgomery — the eldest child, Annalise Montgomery — the middle child, and Adeline Montgomery — the youngest child.

Currently, three were in the drawing room of the house and Annalise walked in and saw her mamá, papá and her younger sister.

She walked over the table stand to get what she came downstairs for. Once, she was done piling treats onto her plate, she was about to exit, but was called by her mamá.

"Yes, mamá?" Annalise turned around.

Her mamá ( Arabella Montgomery ) went behind the couch, kissed her husband on the cheek and sitting down next to him "Do tell what happened at the debut."

Annalise racks her brain for the memories at the debut and she held up a finger "Anthony was late."

She held up another finger "Prudence Featherington fainted in front of the queen."

Arabella snorted when drinking her tea and her husband give her a grin while Annalise held up another finger "And. . . The Queen called Daphne flawless, and I think that is all."

"So. . . Anthony was late?" Annalise nodded and her mother sipped her tea again "Any idea why?"

"No" Annalise admitted "He just said he had to ❛ take his mind off of something. ❜"

"Are we talking about Anthony again?" Annalise's older brother ( Arthur Montgomery ) walked into the room "I know you love him sister, but you don't have to talk about him every time."

Annalise turned around and chucked one of her pleasantries from her plate at her older brother, but unfortunately, he managed to dodge it. Her brother picked up the cupcake that she threw and threw it back to her, and she managed to dodge it as well.

"Lee?" Adeline Montgomery tugged on her older sister's dress "Do you like Anty?"

"Of course not, Lina" Annalise said and her brother snorted.

"Sister, why don't you ever stop lying?"

Annalise turned to her mamá "Mamá, must your child be so. . . infuriating."

Arabella listened as Annalise complained "He gets it from his father."

"Hey!" Alfred, who was reading a paper suddenly exclaimed "You married this so called ❛ infuriating ❜ man."

"Unfortunately." She mused before sighing "I am only joking, my love."

Suddenly, one of the maids entered with a silver tray in her hand and some sort of paper ontop of it. She walked over to Arabella and she took one of the papers.

"Eleanor!" Annalise exclaimed, causing the maid, to look up at her "Do tell my brother that I am not in love with Anthony Bridgerton."

Eleanor looked towards Annalise and her brother confusingly "Do you wish for me to lie, ma'am?"

Annalise let out a gasp while her mother muttered words "Who is Lady Whistledown?"

This captured the family's attention.

"Lady Whistledown?" Annalise asked "Who is Lady Whistledown?"

"Isn't that what I just asked, darling?"

Annalise rolled her eyes slightly at her mamá's remark and her papá decided to speak up "It seems as though an author has written some interesting things about Mary Edgecome."

"What has she written?" Arthur questioned.

"Apparently, she spent the last year living in a cottage hundreds of miles away from her earl." Alfred stated "She is miserable, it says here."

Arabella hummed "I've always liked Mary."

"What else has she written?"

Alfred scanned the paper quickly "She loathes the fact that the Bridgertons has been named alphabetically, oldest to youngest."

"Lady Whistledown finds it ❛ banality ❜." Alfred quoted.

"Anything else?"

"She also does not like the fact that our entire family consists of our first name starting with the letter ❛ A ❜."

Annalise's face scrunched up "What's so horrible about that?"

"She finds it a lack of character and a lack of creativity." Alfred informed.

"I thought it was quite funny." Arabella frowned, sipping her tea "That's why I chose the names."

"And you were right, my love." Alfred rubbed his wife's arm.

"Well." Annalise said "I do believe I shall go up to my bedroom now. Good day, family."

When Annalise was finally walking away, her brother had to speak.

"Oh yes, do think of Anthony a bit more!"

It certainly wasn't Annalise's fault he was hit by another pastry.

𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐀 lay on the lounge chair, the bodies skin to skin as their clothes lay scattered across the hardwood floor and the blanket just barely covering up their junctions. Anthony looked towards the side to the small table and picked up his father's pocket watch.

"One day, I shall seize that watch and take it apart. Bit by bit." Siena spoke up first.

"This belonged to my father. Should it disappear, I should miss it sadly."

"Then you shall know precisely how I feel. Every time you disappear." She stated and leaned up to kiss him. "Stay with me today."

"I am afraid I cannot. I must chaperone my sister at the Danbury ball this evening." Anthony informed. "As well as Annalise because who knows what one gentleman would do when he walks up to her."

Siena got on her knees so Anthony could stand up. "Daphne, yes? What might they be like? These grand affairs your sister must attend."

"You would hate them. Every eligible lady of breeding dressed in some lavishly — trimmed frock. Bloodthirsty mamas at their sides." Anthony paused. "Wary fathers making arrangements for only the most advantageous of matches. Of course, without my father here, that responsibility. . . falls upon me."

"A significant duty, no doubt."

"Someone must guard my poor sister from the bucks and pinks, ensure her virtue remains free of any kind of defilement. God knows I have tried with Annalise, but failed, but I will try again." Anthony puts on his trousers.

"Daphne is fortunate. Every woman is not afforded such gallant protection."

"Every woman is not a lady."

"Of course not, my lord." Siena stated, bitterness clear in her words.

"Siena." He caught her attention. "Hey. You have me. . . protecting you, too. I will always protect you."

Anthony leaned in and gave her a kiss and after a short while, she pulled back. "Who is this Annalise you always speak of?"

Anthony smiled warmly at the mention. "A very, very special lady in my life."

Siena smirked. "Do you care for her?"

"Very much so. She has been with me since the darkest times and I will never know how to return the favor so I shall stick with her till the end of my days." Anthony stated. "I believe she would like you."

"Really?" Siena hummed.

"Of course."

"Then I would gladly love to meet her." Siena smiled.

𝐃𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍 walked into The Danbury Ball, arm in arm with her mother and her eldest brother. Everyone turned heads as they walked in, admiring the ❛ diamond ❜ of the season. They stopped walking on the side of the floor, where in the middle was dancing.

"They're all staring, mother." Anthony stated and he spot Annalise in the crowd.

"Let them come to you, dearest."

"I spot Annalise." Anthony told his two family members and they both smirked at one another.

Anthony gestured for Annalise to come where he was with his eyes but she just tilted her head with confusion expressed on her face instead.

Anthony, this time gestured for her to come here with his head and she gave him a look of understanding once she got his gesture.

Annalise walked up to the three Bridgertons and have Violet and Daphne kisses on both cheeks "Violet, Daphne, you look magnificent."

Violet blushed slightly "Thank you my dear, you look wonderful as well."

Daphne agreed with her mamá "Yes, Anna, you look gorgeous."

Annalise turned to Anthony with a smirk and a raised eyebrow "Anything to say, my lord?"

"You look extraordinary." Anthony gave her a sarcastic smile, though there was truth behind his words.

Suddenly a gentleman called Lord Ambrose had approached the four.

"Lady Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton, Miss Montgomery. Lord Bridgerton." Lord Ambrose bowed his head at all of them.

"I believe you have already been introduced to my daughter, Lord Ambrose." Violet said.

"Uh, yes. We met at your brother's levee." He answered and then he turned to Annalise "And I remember meeting you at your mother's soirée."

Annalise gave him a thin smile "Yes, you have great memory my lord as that was over three years ago."

Ambrose smiled and turned back to Daphne and she spoke.

"If I recall, my lord, you had just won your first race at Newmarket."

"His first and only, I believe." Anthony intervened.

"In that case, let's hope his lordship has found a new horse." Daphne spoke awkwardly.

"I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you at our club lately, Ambrose." Anthony mentioned "Should it have anything to do with the unpaid balance you left on our betting books winter last?"

After that statement, Lord Ambrose bowed to the three ladies and took his leave awkwardly. Everyone could see he wasn't wanted there.

"Ambrose is a cheat, a man of any honor ensures his depts are fully paid." Anthony stated.

"I did not realize. . ." Daphne whispered apologetically.

"Well, how could you have done? It is the very reason I am here, sister." Anthony's lips turned up into a thin smile and he took Annalise's arm in his "Let us take a turn about the room."

Anthony led Daphne and Annalise around and a young gentleman on the dance floor nodded at Daphne.

"He is rather pleasing." Daphne spoke to her brother.

"He is rather here to shuffle about hunting fortunes." Anthony informed "Trust Mr. Lewis knows about your sizeable dowry. Leave him be."

Daphne looked towards another gentleman "I presume you know of him too?"

"Mr. Worthington, second son. We shall find better."

Anthony saw another gentleman nodding at Daphne "He is of dubious parentage."

Daphne looked at another gentleman in a conversation "I shall not have you making a life with a poet, heaven forbid. Nor an eccentric."

"My word!" Anthony exclaimed as if he was appalled.

Anthony found it quite odd that the lady on his other arm was quiet and he noticed that she was looking somewhere else and he followed her eyesight.

"Who is he?" Annalise asked.

"We used to go Oxford together. Classified ❛ R ❜ rake. Would not recommend." Anthony stated, bitterness and jealousy in his tone.

"Yes, and what are you?"

"Anthony! Daph! Anna!" They heard Benedict exclaim.

The three started to walk towards him and Anthony spoke "If the only outstanding gentleman present this evening are your brothers, then we are in a great deal of trouble, indeed."

"You continue to say ❛ we ❜." Daphne pointed out.

"Did mother tell you yet? About my tour? I am to begin in Greece." Colin suddenly exclaimed, with pride in his voice.

"Greece? How adventurous, Colin —"

" — On guard." Anthony suddenly said, when he saw Lady Danbury approaching and all three of the brothers tried to walk away.

"Too late. I already noted you." Lady Danbury stated, with a smirk.

All three of the Bridgerton brothers went back to their original spots, nodded their heads and gave their different greetings all at once.

"Miss Bridgerton, you look rather lovely this evening." Lady Danbury complimented and spots Daphne's empty dance card, tied around her wrist "Is there a reason I have yet to see you on the dance floor?"

"All in due time, Lady Danbury." Anthony interfered.

Lady Danbury then turned to Annalise "Miss Montgomery, may I ask why you are not on the dance floor?"

Annalise smiled and nodded her head towards the man next to her and Lady Danbury hummed "I figured."

Lady Danbury leaned towards Daphne and Annalise "You poor things."

Lady Danbury walked away, Benedict and Colin seem to be having their own conversation and Annalise decided she was going to mingle by herself.

"Well, I am off to fetch a drink." Annalise said, sliding her arm out of Anthony's.

"I will go with you —"

"Anthony." She stopped him with a chuckle "I will be fine."

"Are you sure? We only know what these men would do —"

"If anything happens, I will call you over immediately, alright?" She told him with a small smile.

Anthony nodded and she breathed out a sigh of relief and quickly kissed his cheek and then left to a table. She picked up a glass of champagne from the table and raised it up to her lips.

"Miss Montgomery."

Annalise retracted the glass from her lips and turned around to face a handsome man, brown hair and green eyes. She put the glass down on the table with a smile.

"Yes, Lord. . ."

"Hawkins, Miss." He chuckled and brung her hand up to his lips "May I have this dance, Miss Montgomery?"

"Of course you may." She took his hand and he led her towards the dance floor.

"I do not believe I have ever seen you before Lord Hawkins, where are you from?"

"I am from Italy, but I am just visiting London for a few weeks." He informed her.

"Italy?" She asked with surprise in her voice "I heard the beaches are wonderful there."

"Perhaps I will show you one day." He smiled and twirled her around.

"Perhaps." Annalise stared at his swarm of green eyes but she could only wish they were a swarm of brown.

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 sipped her drink after she danced with Lord Hawkins since she was feeling quite parched. Her eyes scanned around the ball room until she sees Daphne hurrying through the crowd and she immediately put down her drink and walked after her.

Once she reached Daphne, she interlocked her arm and she turned to her alarmingly before breathing out a sigh of relief "Annalise, oh thank God."

"Daphne, who on earth are you running from?" Annalise turned around and Daphne turned with her, to make sure Lord Berbrooke wasn't there anymore.

Which wasn't a good decision since they both crashed into a large chest — well mostly Daphne. They both look at him and step back and Daphne sees Lord Berbrooke approaching so she did the first thing that came to mind.

"Tell me your name." She stated and the man blinked confusingly "Your name sir."

"Well, the lady asked for your name, do hurry up." Annalise voiced out and the stranger sighed.

"Am I honestly to believe you do not already know my name?"

Annalise's face pulled up a face of digust "Arrogant much?"

Daphne noticed Nigel is still approaching so Daphne tosses her head back with a laugh. And it seemed to have worked because he is now turning away.

"If you desired an introduction, madam's, I do believe accosting me is the least civilized of ways."

"Accosting you?" Daphne asked, surprise in her tone.

"I beg your pardon?" Annalise asked.

"Truly, they will try anything." The stranger whispered under his breath.

"Truly, I think you should get your head out of your arse." Annalise stated rudely.

"Annalise." Daphne whispered harshly and the stranger's eyebrows scrunch up in recognition.

"Sir. That is not. . . this is not. . . what is your name — "

"I'm sorry, but did you just say the name Ann —"

"Basset! Basset!" They all turned to see Anthony approaching them.

"Bridgerton!" The stranger exclaimed.

"Come here, old friend!" They both shake hands and slap each other on the shoulders.

"I heard news of your father." Anthony stated then realising something "Deuce take it, you are no longer Basset!"

"I shall always be —"

" — Hastings! The Duke of Hastings, now known forever more." The Duke of Hastings offers an uneasy smile.

"The Duke of Hastings is it?" Daphne suddenly asked.

They both turn to her "Right. Hastings, this is my
sister."

"Your sister." The Duke of Hastings said, taken aback.

"And this is Annalise Montgomery, my dearest friend." Anthony introduced.

"Oh so, this is the girl you've talked about all those times in Oxford." The Duke said, a smirk on his face.

"And you are the man that influenced his rakish—ness." Annalise smiled sarcastically and then turned to Anthony "Guess I need not a portrait now."

"Daphne, Hastings and I know each other from our days at Oxford." Anthony informed his sister and turned to his friend "Days we shall not soon forget. . ."

Daphne smiled "Yes. As I am well aware of the company you keep, brother, I am certain your days with His Grace were most. . . civilized, indeed."

"Hastings, we shall need to get together properly. I expect to see you at our club then?" Anthony noted.

"Indeed. Evening, Bridgerton." He nodded "Miss Bridgerton, Miss Montgomery."

Both Annalise and Daphne takes Anthony's arms and walk away but Daphne looks back at The Duke and he looks back at her. They are walking towards the exit when Violet goes up to them.

"I believe Lord Wetherby is looking for you to dance." Violet smiled, looking at her daughter.

"Is he — ?" Daphne beamed, excitement in her voice.

" — If only it were not time for us to retire." Anthony interrupted.

"Oh. Well Daphne is anything but weary — I will stay with her."

Daphne turned to her mamá "That would be lovely."

"Daphne. There is nary a gentleman here who would not take your hand, you must think about this." Anthony stated.

"The most perfect thing for you to do now is not to dance. But to leave them all wanting more. If anyone knows how this works, it is your eldest brother." He continues.

Daphne looks at Annalise "What do you think, Anna?"

"I believe you should ignore your brother and dance with someone. After all, a man does love a woman that is taken." Annalise smiled.

"Yes and take the advice of a woman who has had five seasons but yet does not have a husband on her arm." Anthony snapped.

Annalise chuckled bitterly and removed her arm from Anthony's "Yes, and take the advice from a man who has had eight seasons yet can't seem to grow up and stop fucking women."

Annalise smiled bitterly at him and continued  "Thank you, Anthony, for that comment."

Anthony closed his eyes and cursed himself in his mind "Love, wait —"

But Annalise had already walked away and Violet let out a small smile.

"Let us go." Daphne smiled awkwardly and walked up to catch up with Annalise.

Anthony nods and Violet scoffs at him before catching up with the two ladies and Anthony stood there, regretting what he said to her. He walked soon after them, her hurt face in his mind and one question.

How does he always manage to fuck things up?

𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧. 𝟒𝟓𝟎𝟒 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲 😭