Chapter 258: Denis’s surprise visit to Anne

Words : 1145 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 258: Denis’s surprise visit to Anne "Denis?" Anne’s eyes narrowed, unease crawling over her skin. "What are you doing here?" He didn’t answer. Instead, he crossed the room in long, determined strides and pulled her into a tight embrace. Anne’s breath caught. For a second, her mind went blank. Then a wave of revulsion hit her like a jolt. She tensed, struggling in his arms. "Let go of me," she hissed, her stomach twisting in disgust. But Denis clung to her, refusing to let go. "Thank God you are safe," he whispered into her hair. "When I heard what happened, I panicked. I rushed here immediately, but Augustine had guards posted everywhere. I couldn’t get close without being noticed." Anne fought harder, twisting her body, but his grip was suffocating, tight, and relentless. "I stayed outside the whole night," he continued, ignoring her resistance. "I waited in my car for a chance to see you. The moment I saw Augustine leaving, I came in. There was no one outside the door. It felt like fate." He finally loosened his hold just enough to look at her, his hands still gripping her shoulders. "I’m relieved you are okay. But Anne... this isn’t over. You are in danger. You always will be, as long as you are with him." His tone shifted, growing darker. "If you want peace, if you want safety, you need to leave Augustine. Come with me. I’ll keep you safe." Anne’s eyes flared with rage. She shoved Denis’s hands off her shoulders. "Don’t act like you care," she snapped with contempt. "I’m perfectly safe with Augustine. But you? If you don’t back off, I can’t guarantee your safety." "Are you threatening me now?" he asked, incredulous. "I came here to protect you—can’t you see that? That man has ties to the underworld. He is dangerous. And you are still choosing him?" Anne let out a cold laugh. "I know exactly what you are trying to do, Denis. You think you can shake my trust in him? Try harder. I’m not that naive girl anymore." She took a step forward. "You should be more concerned about Megan, your new girlfriend. Keep her on a leash. If she tries anything else, your whole family will pay the price." Denis’s expression darkened as fury surged in. "I’m warning you," he growled. "I’m doing this for your own good. And you are threatening me in return? You can’t even see the truth. He is not who you think he is. He is—" "Enough," Anne cut him off sharply, her hand raised to silence him. "I know exactly who Augustine is. Better than you ever could. But more importantly..." Her gaze turned cold, cutting. "I know you." Her lips curled into a bitter sneer. "You say Augustine is dangerous? No, you are more dangerous. You are the one I should’ve feared all along." Memories flickered through her mind like a nightmare she had never forgotten. She had died once because of him. "Have you forgotten what you did to me?" She cocked her head. "You let Tania humiliate me, torment me, destroy me. And you supported her. You did nothing. You never even believed me." Her voice dropped to a chilling murmur. "So don’t you dare come here acting like you are trying to protect me now." Regret pooled in his gaze, and his lips parted, ready to apologize, but Anne didn’t let him speak. "You don’t get to explain," she cut in. "You were the one who kept putting me in harm’s way—again and again. But Augustine? He stood by me. He protected me. While you broke me down, he lifted me up. Being with you made me lose faith in myself—in my worth, in my abilities. But with Augustine’s love and support, I found my strength again. He helped me heal. I got back the confidence and self-respect I lost when I was with you." Her voice wavered with emotion but stayed firm. "So tell me—who is the real danger here? You... or him?" For a beat, Denis said nothing. Her words hit harder than he had imagined. Then his jaw tensed as his pride twisted into anger. "I know I made mistakes," he said through gritted teeth. "And I regret them. But how can you compare me to a man who used to fight in underground rings? A man tied to the mafia? Anne, don’t be blind just because you are upset with me. That world he lives in—it’s violent. It will pull you in and ruin you. I am worried." Anne met his stare without flinching. She already knew everything. Augustine had shown her his world, his past, his power, and the dangerous alliances. And yet, she felt safer with him than she ever had with Denis. Because Augustine had never let her fall. What rattled her now wasn’t Augustine’s past—it was Denis’s obsession. He wouldn’t let go. Even with his engagement to Megan set in motion, he was still clinging to something that no longer existed. Anne’s voice turned cold. "If you are going to accuse someone, back it up." She stepped forward, her words sharp as glass. "You say he is dangerous and that he has ties with the mafia. Fine. Show me proof. Because I’m done listening to your twisted warnings and empty claims. If all you have are bitter words, keep them to yourself." "I showed you the pictures of him in that underground fight club," Denis argued. "Did you already forget?" Anne crossed her arms, her tone dismissive. "That was years ago, back when he was alone and struggling overseas. Your family cut him off, leaving him with nothing. He had to survive. So he joined the fight club. There are hundreds of those clubs around the world. Just because he stepped into one doesn’t mean he is a criminal." Denis clenched his jaw in frustration. He had no concrete proof, just whispers, speculation, and second-hand claims. But he wasn’t about to admit that. "Everyone in that world knows," he said with conviction. "It’s not a secret. I’ve looked into him. I’ve heard things, serious things. He has a strong tie with someone powerful in the underworld..." "You heard?" Anne cut in, her brows lifting, a trace of relief flickering in her expression. She realized he had no concrete evidence of Augustine’s link-up with Lucien. "So no proof then. Just gossip." She took a step forward. "People said a lot of things about me, too. Remember? Tania spread every kind of rumor she could think of. She lied, manipulated you, and even faked a pregnancy. And you believed every word." Her stare hardened. "Then the truth came out. Her lies crumbled. But you—" she shook her head, "you haven’t learned anything. You still believe what you want to believe. You never cared to find out what’s real."

Chapter 258: Denis’s surprise visit to Anne

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