Chapter 103

Out in the garden, Hannah jerked her hand from Vincent's grasp,her annoyance unmistakable. "What do you want now?"she snapped.

Vincent eased her down onto the swing, crouching so his eyes met hers, earnest and somber. "What happened this morning -that was on me."

She shot him a cold look and moved to stand.′′|that all? Then I'm going."

He reached out, grabbing her by the arm and gently guiding her back onto the swing. "But you shouldn't be taking those birth control pills. Don't you realize how rough they are on your health?"

A scowl flickered across Hannah's face. Her words came out edged and brittle. "You think I wanted to? If you hadn't forced yourself on me, I wouldn't have needed them."

Vincent stiffened, struck silent as conflicting emotions churned behind his eyes. "If you don't want a baby right now, just say so,"he murmured, keeping his tone low but steady. "We can use protection. Just... Don't take those pills again, okay? I'll talk to Grandma.I promise."

Hannah said nothing. There was no future for them-just four more days, and it would all be over.

Vincent hovered too close, his steady breath ghosting across her cheek, leaving her more trapped than reassured. She pushed him back, voice clipped. "Don't come near me."

He brushed off the rejection, convinced she was just brooding He brushed off the rejection, convinced she was just brooding over this morning's argument. Rising, he absently twisted the wedding band on his finger and then tried to change the subject. "With my grandma's birthday banquet around the corner,why not invite your parents to stay a bit?"

His tone was unusually earnest. "I didn't meet them last time.I'd like to make it up to you-and to them."

Hannah rejected the idea immediately. "That's not necessary."With divorce hanging over them, she couldn't bear the thought of her parents meeting with Vincent.

Annoyance flickered across his face. "Why not? Grandma would be over the moon if your parents joined us for her birthday."

Hannah didn't bother explaining. She stared at their shadowS pooled on the pavement, her voice flat. "It's too much trouble."

Vincent wouldn't let it go, his gaze locked on her. "I'll have someone bring them here."

She declined, tone clipped. "Don't."

A short distance away, a silhouette hesitated beneath the trees.

Brinley had followed the sound of their voices and arrived just in time to overhear Vincent's offer. Her fingers curled into tight fists, resentment simmering beneath her cool exterior.Worried that Sharon mnight question where she'd gone, she quietly slipped away.

Vincent's eyes narrowed stubbornly. "What if I insist on bringing them over?"

A weary,mocking smile flickered across Hannah's lips."Vincent,what exactly are you trying to accomplish? Last time my parents tried to reach out, you brushed them off. Now, out of nowhere, you're so eager to play the dutiful son-in-law?"

She pushed herself up from the swing, brushing dust from her She pushed herself up from the swing, brushing dust from her skirt as she did. "They've skipped Sharon's birthday every single year. What's the point in dragging them into this now?"

Vincent faltered, throat working as he searched for an answer that wouldn't come.

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Without waiting for him, Hannah started to walk away. "Quit acting like you care."

She barely made it three steps before Vincent's hand closed around her wrist,halting her escape. "It was Grandma's request,"he blurted, voice strained, clinging to Sharon's name like a lifeline.

Hannah jerked against his grip but failed, her glare icy."Then I'll tell Sharon my parents won't be coming."

Vincent's tone gentled, a plea tucked into every syllable."She'll be crushed if they don't show up. Is that really what you want-for her seventieth birthday to feel like just another disappointment?"

For a long moment, Hannah didn't answer. It was obvious the previous rift had left a deep mark on Sharon.

Vincent shifted, his voice careful. "Your parents-they've always wanted a chance to meet me, you know."

A sharp,joyless laugh slipped from Hannah. "So you've known this whole time." He'd spent eight years sidestepping them,perfectly aware, yet never once making the effort. The sheer irony was almost laughable. Still, forSharon's sake, she figured she owed her parents at least the courtesy of asking their opinion.

After a long silence, Hannah gave in, her tone weary. "Fine. I'll think about it. But for now, let me go."

Vincent looked like he wanted to say something, but the words never left his lips. He finally released her wrist. Without another glance, Hannah strode out of the garden,leaving him standing alone.