Chapter 119

Upstairs in the Jones estate, Vincent dismissed the bodyguards with a clipped order to deliver the four kidnappers to the police station. Alone now, he drifted into the guest bedroom where Hannah had been staying.

He couldn't explain what drew him here. The space felt untouched. Only a handful of dresses hung in the closet, each one carefully spaced apart, proof that Hannah had never intended a long stay. She really had been living here like a guest.

Reaching into his pocket, Vincent pulled out a cigarette and lit it. The first inhale scorched his lungs and triggered a rough cough. Acrid smoke curled across his tongue, leaving behind a bitterness that did nothing to soothe the storm churning inside him.

Sleep had evaded him entirely the whole night. His mind refused to rest, tangled with questions he couldn't untangle.

By morning, his Bentley idled in front of the courthouse. He arrived on time, nine sharp, just as they'd agreed.But Hannah was nowhere in sight.

He didn't bother to call. Instead, he waited, silent and motionless, letting the minutes drag by.

Only at half past eleven did Hannah finally appear, walking up the courthouse steps alone.

Vincent climbed out of the car the instant he spotted her and strode over, tension etched into his posture.

Hannah was dressed in a scarlet dress, her makeup flawless, radiating an almost carefree allure that stung him more than he cared to admit.

A shadow crossed his features. Was she honestly this thrilled to be rid of him? "I've been waiting here forever," he muttered, his voice tight. "You said nine. It's eleven-thirty."

His irritation hovered just below the surface, but Hannah met it with a calm, dismissive smile. "I lost track of how many times I waited for you these past five years. Consider this payback."

With that, she pivoted smoothly and strode for the courthouse doors. "Let's go."

Vincent trailed after her, his footsteps heavy, the distance between them feeling wider than ever.

As soon as Hannah stepped inside, her heart sank at the sight of the snaking line winding through the family law clerk's office.

A restless night of chasing nightmares had left her bleary-eyed and hollow, with dawn creeping in before she finally drifted off. Morning had slipped through her fingers before she even managed to drag herself out of bed. If she'd known it would turn out like this, she might've just powered through the night without bothering to sleep at all.

Vincent arrived a short while later, his gaze immediately darkening when he spotted the crowd. He didn't hesitate-just turned on his heel, intent on making a quick departure.

Hannah reached out and caught his arm, holding him in place. "Where do you think you're going?"

He shot her a scowl. "There are way too many people. I can't stand waiting in lines."

She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay calm. "Just find a place to sit down and wait. I'll let you know when it's our turn-but don't wander off."

They were already at the courthouse-she refused to let anything stall this any longer.

Vincent said nothing but stayed close by.

A cheerful clerk ambled over and remarked, "Excuse me-this line's for divorces. If you're here for a marriage certificate, the city hall is several miles away."

"We're in the right place," Hannah replied, her tone brisk. "Divorce."

Vincent offered no response, his jaw set, gaze fixed somewhere in the middle distance.

The clerk nodded, apologizing before drifting away, but not before muttering, "She's dressed so nicely.I thought they were getting married."

Hannah's and Vincent's eyes met for a fleeting moment-a spark of shared discomfort-and both

Moments slipped by slowly. The line barely budged. At last, after four numbing hours, their number was called.

After confirming that both parties agreed to divorce willingly, the clerk asked them to present their documents.

Hannah reached into her bag and produced her driver's certificate, the marriage certificate, and the signed divorce agreement, placing them neatly on the counter.

Vincent remained motionless, hands buried in his pockets, making no move to cooperate.

The clerk fixed him with a polite but pointed look. "Sir, do you bring your documents?"

Vincent's answer was blunt, his tone devoid of remorse. "Nope."

Hannah stared at him in disbelief, abruptly rising from her seat. "What? You didn't bring anything?"

With a lazy roll of his shoulders, Vincent looked entirely unbothered. "I've never gotten divorced before.How was I supposed to know I needed to bring anything?"

Hannah stared at him, nearly speechless. "You had to bring documents to register the marriage, right? Why would the divorce be any different?"

He met her gaze, his voice steady. "You handled all the paperwork when we got married."

She let his comment roll off her back and addressed the clerk instead, "He's already signed the divorce agreement, and he's standing right here. We've waited in this line for four hours-can't wve just file now and bring the rest of the required documents later?"

Vincent watched her in silence, his eyes clouded with something unreadable.

The clerk offered a practiced, regretful smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but those are the rules. We need every document at the time of filing-no exceptions."

Five minutes later, Vincent and Hannah stepped back out onto the courthouse steps, the weight of wasted hours heavy on their shoulders.

Hannah's patience finally snapped. She spun toward Vincent, frustration crackling in her voice. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"