A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 303

Alex suppressed a weary sigh.

Michelle pleaded on Ana's behalf, "Maybe Ana can wait until tomorrow to kneel in repentance. It's raining there, and she's exhausted from filming. Or perhaps she can do it after the show ends. After all, it wouldn't be proper for others to see that."

"Perhaps we should postpone it until next year!" Stephen glared at her and snapped, "She was nearly struck by lightning, and you're still making excuses? Are you waiting for punishment to befall our entire family?"

Michelle's mouth opened and then closed. "That's not what I meant," she protested.

"Didn't you hear Mr. Walter's warning?" Stephen hissed.

Michelle was at a loss for words.

Daniel finally intervened, "Mom, we should listen to Mr. Walter's instructions. The company's already struggling enough without inviting more misfortune."

Michelle pursed her lips together. Lately, every word she spoke in this house seemed wrong. Stephen's temper would flare at the slightest provocation, and his voice was constantly raised in frustration.

Was it so terrible of her to want to protect their daughter? Yet, deep down, she knew that all this traced back to that fateful moment when she'd shut the car door, leaving Demi behind.

…

Inside the tent, Ana's face darkened as Demi continued ignoring her. Without a word, she moved to the edge of the space and knelt with her back to the others.

A collective ripple of confusion passed through the group.

"Ana, what are you doing?" Wendy sprang up and hurried to her side. "Get up this instant!"

"I need to atone for my mistakes," Ana murmured, tears glistening in her stubbornly downcast eyes.

"You don't need to kneel for your mistakes. Get up now," Wendy said in exasperation.

But Ana shook her head and refused Wendy's attempt to pull her up. Her silent resistance drew more concerned guests to her side.

Maria's expression darkened as she turned to Demi. "She's manipulating the situation and making it seem like you forced her to kneel! Anyone who walks in now would think you're the villain here even though she was the one who hurt you."

"Yeah, make her get up," others chimed in.

Alex hesitated, torn. His father had ordered this. Who was he to defy him?

In the end, Nigel called the staff to intervene. However, Ana refused to budge.

The staff then set up a separate tent for the Pitt siblings. Ana continued her "repentance" there, though within half an hour, Alex couldn't bear it anymore.

"Come on. Get up," he urged softly.

Ana's knees ached, and her resolve had long since crumbled. After a brief protest, she relented and stood up. Tears welled up in her eyes again as she felt wronged.

Alex soothed Ana as best he could, and eventually, the three exhausted siblings drifted off to sleep.

But in the middle of night, Ana began to burn up with a fever, whimpering in distress.