Telling Anna’s Family – Part 4 (Wondering)
Sunday, continued…
“Yes, that plane is mine,” Hou Yi said calmly, his words hanging in the air. “We flew down to maximize our time with you, as we have no choice but to be in Melbourne tomorrow. Despite the short notice, my pilot determined we could land here, but given the attention this has attracted, if he feels the situation is unsafe, he will return to Melbourne, and we will drive back.”
The reality of the situation began to sink in. Anna’s family exchanged uncertain glances, the weight of the truth settling over them. Finally, Wayne broke the silence, his voice filled with disbelief. “My sister-in-law married a billionaire. Oh my God. Shit.”
Hou Yi took a deep breath before continuing. “The last thing I want is for Anna to be worried about your safety. So, what I’m going to arrange in the next few days is increased security for all of you. I’ll also ensure a security team is in the area, ready to protect you if there are any threats or if you feel unsafe. But the key to maintaining your safety is for you not to disclose your connection to me. Keeping this private is essential.”
He paused, letting his words settle. “If you make this public, it will place your lives at risk. The only way I can protect you then is by relocating you, securing you behind high walls, and having guards accompany you everywhere. Anna and I make choices based on the inherent security in my work, but the last thing any of you will want is to have your choices taken away. Your jobs and your lives would have to change in ways none of you signed up for.”
As Hou Yi finished speaking, he noticed the waitstaff approaching to clear their main course plates. He turned to one of the waitresses and spoke quietly, “Could you please hold our desserts for ten minutes? We need some privacy to finish this conversation.”
The waitress nodded and stepped away, leaving the group in an uncomfortable silence. Hou Yi reached for Anna’s hand, and she immediately grasped his in return. He lifted it to his lips and kissed it gently, an unspoken promise of support and understanding.
Anna took a deep breath, steeling herself to speak. “Mum, Dad, now that you’ve heard everything, is there anything you or anyone else want to say?” She paused, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “Before you comment, all I’m going to tell you is that I have made the decision that makes me happier than I’ve ever been. I know this is a huge transition, but I need you all to understand. Please don’t hate me for following my heart.”
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one spoke. Then, James, who had been quietly observing, broke the silence. “Sis,” he said with a soft smile, “you know that you’ll always have my love and support, no matter what. Go and be happy, but remember to come back and visit me regularly.”
Wayne and Susan exchanged a long look, their eyes filled with a mixture of concern and acceptance. After a moment, Susan spoke. “James is right,” she said softly. “Whatever makes you happy, Anna, we just want you to be safe and well. We may not fully understand everything, but we can see that you’ve made your decision, and we’ll respect it.”
Anna felt a weight lift from her chest as her family’s words began to settle in. She had been bracing for rejection, for anger, but instead, they were offering her something far more valuable: understanding and support. Her heart swelled with gratitude, and she squeezed Hou Yi’s hand, silently thanking him for helping her take this step.
Hou Yi, too, felt a sense of relief. The walls he had built around his life were beginning to shift, and he was grateful that Anna’s family, despite the shock, was finding a way to accept her choices. Still, he knew that the journey ahead would not be easy—for either of them. The decision to live openly as a couple, to face the public scrutiny, was only the beginning. But at least for today, they had taken a step forward.
And in that moment, with Anna’s hand in his, he felt more certain than ever that they could face whatever came next, together.
