Chapter 7
Carrying her sketchbook and a sense of confusion, Hannah headed home.
As soon as she stepped out of the taxi, the staff at the estate rushed over, their faces lit up with the relief of survivors. A few looked as if they were about to burst into tears.
“Mrs. Cole! Oh, thank goodness you’re back. Things have been chaotic while you were away. Mr. Cole has been displeased with everything we do and has been in a foul mood for days.*
Hearing this, Hannah finally understood. He had simply grown used to her presence and care, and now felt lost without it.
But he would have to get used to it eventually. Soon enough, she would be gone for good. The rest of his life would be spent without her.
Hannah reassured the staff before stepping into the villa, only to notice there wasn’t even a lamp on.
Zachary sat alone on the couch, the fleeting moonlight casting shadows over his handsome features, making them look both striking and mysterious.
At the sound of footsteps, he finally looked up, fixing his gaze on her for a long moment, a hint of displeasure
in his voice.
“Where have you been these past few days?”
She shrugged off her coat and replied nonchalantly, “Went to the mountain for some inspiration.”
He frowned. “Since when are you interested in painting?”
It wasn’t sudden. She had always been a top student in the Fine Arts department. If not for a sense of obligation, she would have gone abroad long ago to further her studies and become a successful artist.
But she didn’t tell Zachary any of this. Instead, she took a sip of water, her tone casual.
“Just felt like it.”
Zachary rubbed his temples. “About the other day at the diner, I didn’t mean to leave you. It’s just that Anna, she’s always been delicate. Even a scratch makes her cry for hours. We grew up together, so I’m used to taking care of her and took her to the hospital first.
And you didn’t object at the time, so why make a fuss and leave? Anna’s house is renovated and she’s moved out. No need to get upset over such trivial matters.”
His last words carried a slight reprimand. It was unclear whether he was blaming Hannah for leaving or for being so unreasonable that his beloved had to move out sooner.
But Hannah didn’t care anymore. She gave a perfunctory reply, set down her glass, and headed upstairs.
“Hannah!”
She turned to see him rising from the couch.
“I’m hungry. Could you make me some pasta?”
Hannah lifted her bandaged left hand. “Did you forget? My hand is injured.”
Zachary was momentarily taken aback. Without waiting for his response, she continued up the stairs.
The next morning, just as she was leaving her room, a box of expensive jewelry was presented to her. She looked up at Zachary, puzzled. He cleared his throat. “About the incident at the diner, I was preoccupied with Anna and didn’t have time for you. This is to make up for it.”
Hannah glanced at the emeralds in the box, a mix of emotions crossing her eyes.
10:17
Five years. It had been five years. This was the first gift he had ever given her. And it was an apolo ignoring her in favor of his first love.
She suddenly thought of all the thoughtfully chosen gifts for Anna in his study. A wave of bitterness rose in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
She had never hoped for gifts before, and she didn’t need them now. Seeing her hesitation, Zachary assuran she didn’t like it.
“I’ve been busy with handling Anna’s stuff, so I asked my assistant to pick the most expensive piece at the auction. If you don’t like it, then…”
Before he could finish, Yolanda’s voice came from the doorway.
“Anna, I told you, my brother is so into you. You shouldn’t have moved out. But if you did, you should still visi
him often.”
She entered with Anna in tow and, spotting the jewelry, exclaimed in delight.
“Oh my God, Zachary, Anna just mentioned she loved this set. I can’t believe you bought it!”
After that, she glanced at Anna, her eyes full of envy. The latter blushed at her words and shyly lowered her head.
Seeing Zachary’s hesitation, Hannah unflinchingly took the jewelry box from his hand and handed it to Anna.
“If it’s for you, then you should have it.”
With one sentence, she made the decision for Zachary, resolving his dilemma. For the first time, Zachary’s gaze didn’t linger on Anna but shifted to Hannah.
For some reason, seeing her poised demeanor, Zachary felt a strange sense of unease. She seemed different somehow, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint how.
