Chapter 11
“Hannah, if you had any sense of self–awareness, you’d just leave the Cole family on your own.”
Ignoring the group, Hannah borrowed a spare room from the housekeeper to patch herself up. After applying some ointment and changing into a fresh set of clothes, she hobbled away,
Back at the villa, she headed straight upstairs to pack her bags.
Once she had her suitcase in hand, she casually left the divorce papers, signed by both her and Zachary, on the
table.
As she was about to walk out the door, she nearly bumped into someone coming in. It was Yolanda, who immediately started complaining as she spotted Hannah, “Where have you been running off to? My brother sent me to give you some medication. I really don’t get what he’s thinking, leaving Anna’s side to worry about you. He insisted I find you, and I’ve been searching all over!”
“I don’t need it. You might as well save it for Anna,” Hannah replied calmly, pushing Yolanda’s hand away as she
made to leave.
That was when Yolanda noticed the suitcase in Hannah’s hand. Her expression changed drastically, and she grabbed Hannah’s hand.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Hannah looked at her with steady eyes. “What do you think I’m doing with a suitcase? It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? I’m leaving. You brother’s into Anna, and you’ve always wanted her as a sister–in–law. Now I’m voluntarily stepping aside and giving her the spot.”
Yolanda’s eyes widened at her reply, her whole demeanor was one of shock, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
After all, everyone knew how much Hannah had loved Zachary. How could she just up and leave now?
It was like a lightbulb went off in Yolanda’s head, and her voice shook slightly. “Hannah, stop pretending. You love my brother so much that you were determined to marry into the family. How could you possibly be asking for a divorce now? I get it, it’s a tactic, right? Playing hard to get? Well, it won’t work on my brother.”
Hannah’s gaze remained calm. “Whether it’s true or not, the divorce papers are right there on the table. You can check for yourself. Yolanda, you’re holding onto me so tightly, could it be you can’t bear to see me go?”
At that, Yolanda let go of her hand abruptly. “No way! I can’t wait for you to leave. I’ll throw a party the second you’re gone! If my brother knew you left on your own, he’d be thrilled!”
For some reason, Yolanda’s last words lacked conviction.
Hannah didn’t bother to look back at her and just left her with “Well, congratulations on getting your wish come true,” before walking out the door.
Watching Hannah’s unhesitant departure, Yolanda felt a strange sense of something slipping out of control, a pang of anxiety in her chest as she hurriedly called after her.
“Hannah, where are you even going? Aren’t you going to say anything to my brother?”
Hannah paused for a moment, her hand on her suitcase. She turned to look at Yolanda, then beyond her to the villa.
To repay the debt, she’d pretended to love Zachary for five years, becoming the woman everyone talked about, the woman clingy to Zachary.
To repay the debt, she’d abandoned her dreams, sacrificed her future, and lost herself.
Over the five years, she’d tried her best to be the perfect wife, diligently managing the household, yet she received no respect, no sense of self.
10-18
She had endured this stifling life for five long years. Now that her debt was paid, she finally had her freedom
For the first time, Hannah smiled a genuine, carefree smile.
“I’m going to live a life that’s just for me.”
From this moment on, nothing here would concern her anymore. Good riddance to the Cole family, Good riddance to Zachary,
Under the moonlight sky, she gave a liberating wave, and disappeared into the night.
