Chapter Seventy-Seven
Anna
 
     Anna had received a small package in the mail that when she opened it, she realized it contained a snow globe and a postcard. When she opened it and read the writing: A bigger gift awaits you on your wedding day. The postcard was still open in front of her eyes when Anna received the second email from Mrs. Collins. It was hard for her to open it and read it. She doubted and was not ready to face the next bad news yet. But she finally opened it and started reading:
My dear Anna, I'm sorry I can't sympathize with you and comfort you or even be with you. I'm a selfish person and I'm somewhat happy that I'm not with you now because I can never go back there. I'm afraid.
That house burned down. We were guests there. We are your relatives and I am your aunt. On that night, my sister, her husband and your little sister died. You were only seven years old. It is very painful for me to be there because seeing that house hurts my heart. It may be a little strange for you, but I will explain to you the reason for my behavior. The firefighters said after the investigation that "the fire was intentional." We also had the same opinion. We suspected someone who could do this and that person was none other than Josh's half-brother who was and is crazy. I will explain later why he did this, but I will tell you this, that this person has ruined not only your life but also Peter's life.
Anna's gaze locked on the sentence "the fire was intentional" and the black army of hatred broke the castle of Anna's heart with a battering ram and easily conquered it and planted the flag of hatred on its door.
Anna thought to herself, "Why did that crazy person have to burn our house and cause the death of my parents and my sister? What did we do?" She closed her laptop and put it on the bed next to her feet and got up. She felt depressed and unhappy. Anna thought to herself, "Intentional fire! I can't believe it." Anna left her room and decided to use the stairs instead of the elevator to calm down. When she was on the last step, she met Robert's eyes who was arguing with Rebecca in the hotel lobby. She indifferently continued her way.
When Anna put her hand on the door handle, Robert quickly said, "Anna, wait, I have to talk to you."
Anna left without a word and passed them by.
   Rebecca said, "Go after her. She didn't look well."
   Robert Dixon picked up an umbrella because the weather was cloudy and then ran after Anna.
Anna was walking a few steps ahead of Robert and there was a little distance between them.
   Robert said, "Anna, you have to listen to me."
   Anna, without turning around, continued her way and shouted, "Leave me alone."
   "I'm sorry, I don't even know how to apologize."
   "My sadness is not because of you."
   "You don't care at all!"
   "Please leave me alone, Robert."
   "I won't do that. I'll follow you."
   "So you want to hurt me?"
   Robert was silent and gave no answer. Anna was also silent and kept walking. Until the rain started to drizzle and Robert slowly and quietly approached Anna from behind and held the umbrella over her head.
   Anna realized that Robert had taken an umbrella for her and he was getting wet under the rain, but she said nothing until they reached the black house. She didn't notice the passage of time and the number of steps she had taken. She felt it in her feet, but there was no change in her mood. Anyway, Anna stood under a tree. She saw that Robert was standing in the rain with some distance and this time he had taken an umbrella for himself and she was worried about him, but it was too late.
   Anna, looking at Robert, said, "You're wet."
   Robert said, "It doesn't matter." Then he sneezed.
   "Did you hear the story of this house?"
   "Yeah, how come?"
   "You hate your father. Why?"
   Robert said, "I can't tell you why. No one can change my decision, not even you." Then he sneezed again. It seemed like he was really sick.
   Anna said, "Do you have a fever?" And in continuation of their argument, she said, "But I don't want to change your decision, because now I understand you."
   Robert, putting his hand on his forehead, said, "I'm fine." Then he looked at Anna with surprise and said, "I don't understand what you're saying."
   "Now I hate someone too."
   "What happened, Anna?"
   "Did you hear the story of this house?"