She's marking Her Territory

Anna's POV:

I watched as Claire rummaged through the cabinet, finally emerging with a worn leather photo album clutched against her chest. She practically skipped back to the couch and plopped down beside me, sitting unnecessarily close.

Claire's eyes sparkled as she turned to me. "Anna, do you want to see some childhood photos of me and Blakey?"

"Of course," I replied with a polite smile, genuinely curious despite sensing Claire's underlying motive.

She flipped open the album with practiced familiarity, pointing at a faded photograph. "Look, this was Blakey's sixteenth birthday, when I was just nine. And here we are horseback riding together. And this one. This was from my tenth birthday, and Blakey surprisingly sang me 'Happy Birthday.' You know how rarely he likes to show off his singing voice. "

I nodded and maintained my smile, though I couldn't help noticing how her eyes darted between me and the photos, gauging my reaction. She's marking her territory, showing me their bond predates mine.

"You two had such a close relationship growing up," I said, keeping my tone steady, not letting any emotions slip through.

Caroline arrived just in time, carrying a velvet box with her.

"Anna, dear," she said warmly, "these are some earrings from my personal collection. I've been waiting for the right moment to give them to you."

I stared at the stunning diamond earrings in shock. "This is too precious, I couldn't possibly—"

"Mom!" Claire interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "Aren't those your favorite ones?"

Caroline smiled serenely. "That's precisely why I'm giving them to my most beloved daughter-in-law."

I glanced at Claire, noting her increasingly distressed expression, and pushed the box toward Caroline. "Caroline, perhaps Claire would like them. She seems to appreciate them."

Caroline firmly took the box back and returned it to me. "No, Claire is too young for such valuable pieces."

Hearing Caroline's refusal, Claire's lower lip trembled.

Blake reached over and took the jewelry box from my hands, placing it in front of Claire. "Mom, just keep your jewelry for Claire. Anna has plenty of jewelry from me."

Claire's mood transformed instantly. She threw herself into Blake's arms, beaming. "Blakey, you're the best!"

Seeing that, I stood up with a bitter smile. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll head upstairs to rest."

Caroline seemed to call out to me, then she said something to Blake and Claire. But I kept walking further away, unable to hear, and honestly, not wanting to.

Fresh from my shower, I sat at the vanity in our bedroom, methodically applying moisturizer when Blake entered.

"Look who's here, the best Blakey," I mimicked Claire's lilting voice with deliberate exaggeration.

Blake's eyebrows drew together. "What are you getting at?"

"Nothing at all," I replied, casually smoothing cream over my face. "You two have such a deep, lifelong bond. Who am I to comment?"

Blake moved closer. "Jealous?"

"What right do I have to be jealous?" I laughed bitterly. "I'm just a convenient shield, aren't I?"

"Say that again?" Blake's voice dropped dangerously low.

In one swift movement, he pulled me from the vanity and pushed me onto the bed, pinning me beneath him. Our eyes locked in a silent battle.

"Anna, what's going on in that head of yours?" he growled. "Claire and I grew up together as siblings."

"Yes, siblings," I retorted. "That's why you do everything she wants, why you cater to her every whim..."

Blake silenced me with a forceful kiss. I tried to push him away, but his grip was too strong, and despite my anger, my body betrayed me by responding to his touch.

When he broke the kiss, his eyes burned with desire. "You don't want this?"

"No, I don't," I insisted firmly.

He only wants my body. He never understands what I really need—security, reassurance that I matter to him.

"Then why are you blushing?" Blake murmured, his fingers tracing my cheek. He began unbuttoning his shirt, his intentions clear.

"Blake, I—" My words faltered as he captured my mouth again, his kiss deep and unrelenting. His tongue brushed mine, coaxing a response I couldn't hold back, and my hands slid up to his shoulders, gripping tightly as if to anchor myself.

I twisted my head to break the kiss, panting, "Stop."

But he ignored me. His knee nudged between my legs, sending a jolt of heat through me. I clutched at his shirt, torn between shoving him away and pulling him closer. He kissed a slow, burning trail downward, his hands sliding to grip my thighs.

His breath was warm against my skin as he lingered at my collarbone, the slow graze of his lips igniting a fire that spread through me.

The dress I wore had ridden up slightly, bunched around my hips from the way his knee pressed between my legs, the subtle friction making my pulse race.

The mattress sank under us, creaking faintly as he moved, his lips trailing lower still, teasing the edge of my neckline. I arched into him involuntarily, a soft sound escaping my throat—half protest, half plea.

He paused, lifting his head just enough to meet my gaze, "Say you want it."

My resolve wavered, the heat of his touch unraveling every thread of resistance I'd clung to. At this moment, I truly hated the part of me that couldn't refuse him.

Noticing my silence, a smug smile flickered across his face. Before I could even process my shame and anger, his hand slipped beneath my dress, tracing a slow path upward, and I felt my breath catch.

He leaned in again, lips hovering just above mine, so close I could feel the warmth of him—

"Blakey! " Suddenly, Claire's voice called from the hallway, followed by urgent knocking. "Are you there? I had a nightmare and I'm scared..."