Ah, love is in the air. Anne and Phillip are new newly-weds, enjoying the nice winter air. Phillip had surprised Anne with a grand white manor.
With the star-crossed lovers finally together, everything seemed perfect. Or that's what they though...
After twenty minutes of searching, he spotted her sitting on a park bench, this was the first time he ever saw her peaceful...after a long time. He parked his automobile, sitting next to her, placing his elbow on his thighs.
"I'm sorry," Phillip said, staring in at the bright morning sky. "I'm sorry I can't give you the life you always wanted."
Anne was silent, keeping her eyes closed as she let the peace slowly drain out of her. She let her hair run in the wind. "I know you can't."
"But I can try," Phillip said, taking both her hands as he looked into her tearful eyes. "We can try. Anne, you can't give up on us now. We can show the world that love holds no boundaries, we can start a family, we can show them that–"
"Oh, get ahold of yourself, Phillip," Anne said, jerking her hands away from his as she got up. "Not even Barnum can change society."
Anne turned away from him, letting the hot tears run down her cheeks. Phillip's legs trembled, she's slipping away.
Away from him.
***
Anne arrived at the circus, unable to face Phillip at the moment. She changed into her usual costume, meeting Lettie at the arena.
"Anne, you look terrible," Lettie said, tilting her head in concern. "What's wrong? I swear if it's Damian, I–"
"What does it matter Lettie?" Anne said miserably, throwing her hands in her face as she wept. "I'm forced to choose."
"You aren't forced," Lettie explained softly. "You're just discouraged. Don't let the people get to you and Phillip, especially now."
"What am I supposed to do?" Anne snapped coldly, heat rushing into her cheeks. She was tired of hearing those words. "Can't you see? I can't let the people be ignored, they will never ignore me. They will continue to hate me, ridicule me, despise me, and I can't take it anymore!"
Lettie swallowed hard. This tough, brave woman was now overwhelmed with self-pity and neglection. "So that's it? You're done with Phillip, you're done with the life you promised you'd love and cherish forever?"
"I can never overcome my greatest treasure," Anne said, a slight twinkle in her brown eyes as she thought of Phillip. "He will always be my greatest treasure, the glue that keeps me alive. But will I always be his?"
***
Phillip wandered the circus that night, he was still too ill to perform, but he was determined to. He bumped into Barnum, who had on his costume and top hat.
"What are you doing in your costume, boy?" Barnum asked gruffly, looking at him with shock and awe on his face.
"I want to perform." Phillip's eyes narrowed in determination. "I need to."
"Ah, well, we are partners," Barnum rolled his eyes, cursing himself. "Fine. But don't go sneezing on stage, got it?"
Phillip nodded earnestly, taking Barnum's top hat and winking at him as he patting his shoulder. He was going to show Anne exactly how he felt about her. He was crazy about her.
He saw Anne walking alongside W.D, who shot him a look of pure worry. Phillip jogged up to her when she turned away, he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards his chest. Anne lay a hand on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Look at me," Phillip said, pushing her to a wall as she forced her eyes to look at his. "I know that society plays a big role in our lives, but we have each other. Isn't that all we need?"
"Phillip–"
"No," Phillip snapped, leaning in until their faces were inches from each other. "You look me in the eyes right now and tell you that you don't love me."
"How dare you?" Anne hissed, shoving him off, her eyes narrowing. "Phillip, I love you so much it hurts. But I don't want you to live your life pitying me, hearing the crowd hiss at us. I'd hate to see you regret our marriage."
"I married you for a reason." Phillip shot back, his hands on his hips. "And that reason was to always be by your side no matter what. I married you because I love you. And I always will. You will never get rid of me."
Before Anne could protest, the spotlights flickered on, and Phillip stood on the stage with his eyes sparkling with determination.
"Welcome everyone!" Phillip called brightly, his voice scratchy. "Today's show will be a little bit different..."
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Author's Note: Hello Bookworms! Thank you SO SO much for reading Eight! Sorry to be leaving you all on such a cliffhanger, is everything going to get better? Yes? No? Anyway, thank you for being so supportive of this sequel, and don't forget to SHARE and VOTE this chapter! Also, I'm open to fanfiction recommendations after Written! Stay tuned for more...
