Chapter 12
Three days later, Zachary finally found some time to swing by and grab a change of clothes.
As soon as he stepped inside, he instinctively called out for Hannah. But after a few calls, only a few servants appeared.
“Where’s Hannah?”
He frowned as he noticed the servant awkwardly helping him with his shoes and coat. After a moment of hesitation, one of them finally spoke up.
“Mrs. Cole isn’t home.”
Slipping into his slippers, he walked further inside. Not home again. The last time he had rushed Anna to the hospital after the incident, Hannah had also vanished for days on one of her spontaneous inspiration trips.
This time, he had once again taken Anna to the hospital, and Hannah had graciously given him her blessing to do so. Now she was throwing a tantrum and left home again.
The annoyance in his heart slowly morphed into a simmering anger. As Zachary approached the couch, his eyes fell upon a stack of papers on the table.
Normally, he wouldn’t give them a second glance. But today, something compelled him to pick them up. The words “Divorce Agreement” jumped out at him, and there at the bottom, in the space for the husband’s signature, was his own name staring right back at him.
In an instant, his expression turned ice–cold, and the light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a chilling darkness. He ran his fingers over his signature, realizing it wasn’t printed or forged; it was undeniably his handwriting. Yet, he had no memory of ever signing a divorce agreement!
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he recalled that morning over breakfast, when she handed him something to sign.
He’d been too engrossed in chatting with Anna to pay attention. Now it dawned on him – that was the divorce agreement!
His hands clenched the papers tighter until they crumpled, and then he tore them to shreds, letting the pieces flutter to the floor.
Hannah divorcing him? It was the biggest joke in the world!
She loved him so much, loved him enough to jump into the sea for him, and no matter how many times he left her, she never seemed to get angry.
She was probably just a bit jealous because he’d been spending more time looking after Anna lately.
Five years together could afford her some jealousy, but she’d come back eventually. And if not -no, she would definitely come back. Zachary was certain of it; after all, no one in the world loved him as fiercely as Hannah
did.
The next few days passed in silence as the staff in the villa avoided mentioning Hannah. Until one day, Zachary returned from the hospital with Anna.
Yolanda, unimpressed by the bland oatmeal in front of her, tossed down her spoon and grumbled.
“Who made this oatmeal? Where’s Hannah? Have her make us a fresh batch!”
A servant hesitantly responded, “Ms. Cole, Mrs. Cole hasn’t been home for days, so…”
Yolanda’s eyes widened. Hannah hadn’t come back yet?
She had assumed Hannah’s talk of divorce was just a bluff. After all, their family was the only wealthy one Hannah could ever latch onto – anyone in her shoes would hold on tight.
10:18
Chapter 12
Recalling the divorce papers she’d seen on the table, she glanced over at Zachary,
Word from the staff was that Zachary had seen the divorce papers but dismissed them, tearing them up and tossing them in the trash.
She bit her lip and looked at Anna, who was quietly sipping her oatmeal, seemingly oblivious to their
conversation.
Her brother had longed for Anna for years, and now Anna seemed ready to reciprocate, while Hannah was out of the picture. By all logic, her brother should be thrilled.
Yolanda turned back to Zachary, seeing his slightly furrowed brows, clearly displeased with Hannah’s prolonged absence.
Thinking of Hannah made her feel a surge of resentment. Good riddance, yet she’d left him unsettled.
After dinner, Anna was escorted upstairs by a housekeeper to rest. Yolanda watched Zachary, who was still seated at the table, and hesitated before speaking up.
“Zachary, when are you going to make things official with Anna? I’ve been dreaming of her as my sister–in–law for ages.”
10:18
