Legacy of Healing

Chapter 36: I didn't meant

The next few days unfolded with a sense of normalcy that felt comforting to Anastasia. She and Elijah had spent time discussing their future, the baby, and how they would navigate the changes ahead. For a brief moment, it felt like they were on the same page, ready to embrace this new chapter together.

But one afternoon, as Anastasia sat at her desk, a message popped up on her phone from a colleague, Jake, regarding a project they had been working on together. "Hey, can you send over those figures by end of day? We need to finalize them for the meeting tomorrow."

Anastasia frowned, glancing at the clock. She was supposed to wrap up her work soon and didn't want to stay late. With a sigh, she typed back, "I'll send them over as soon as I can!" She hit send, then leaned back in her chair, mentally preparing for the task.

When she returned home that evening, the familiar aroma of dinner wafted through the apartment. Elijah was at the stove, stirring something in a pan, and she felt a smile tug at her lips. But as soon as he turned to greet her, she sensed something was off.

"Hey, how was work?" he asked, but there was an edge to his voice.

"It was fine, just the usual," she replied, trying to keep her tone light as she walked over to the counter.

Elijah's eyes narrowed slightly. "You seem a little distracted. What's going on?"

"Oh, I just have to send over some numbers for a project," she said, trying to brush it off.

"A project? From who?" he asked, his voice sharper than she expected.

"Just Jake. We're working on the presentation together," she said, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.

Elijah's demeanor shifted instantly. "Jake? The guy you went to dinner with a few weeks ago?"

Anastasia's heart sank. "That was a work dinner, Elijah. It's nothing—"

"Nothing?" he interrupted, his anger bubbling to the surface. "Why does he need those figures from you? Can't he figure it out himself?"

"Because he's my colleague, Elijah! It's part of my job!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "I can't just ignore my work responsibilities because you're jealous!"

Elijah slammed the spoon down on the counter, the sound echoing through the kitchen. "I'm not jealous! I just don't like the idea of you working so closely with him. What if he tries to make a move on you?"

Anastasia felt her frustration boil over. "You're being ridiculous! I'm not interested in Jake like that, and you know it!"

He stepped closer, his eyes blazing with intensity. "How do I know that? You've been distant lately, and now you're texting him? You think I'm just going to sit back and let this happen?"

"Let what happen?" she shot back, her pulse quickening. "It's a professional relationship, Elijah! I can't just cut ties with everyone because you're feeling insecure! Maybe you need to work on your trust issues," she replied, her voice steady but strained. "You can't control every part of my life. I'm not a child, and I won't be treated like one!"

Elijah's expression hardened, and for a moment, it felt as though a chasm had opened between them. "Fine, you want to act like you're independent? Go ahead. But don't come crying to me when he doesn't have your back like I do."

Anastasia could feel tears stinging her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to show weakness. "You're being unreasonable! Just because I want to keep my career doesn't mean I care about Jack or anyone else. I care about you!"