Chapter 128

Hannah and Felix walked together, keeping a steady pace down the corridor.

As they moved along, she noticed several VIP suites left wide open, like someone had barged through in a hurry..

A few steps ahead, the owner of the Obsidian Club was muttering complaints to an employee, "Mr. Jones just started storming through rooms without a word. I have no idea who he's searching for, but now half our important guests are furious."

Now the owner had to personally apologize to each VIP, hoping to calm things down.

None of that mattered to Hannah. Vincent's business was the last thing on her mind.

When they reached their private room, Felix gently caught her by the hand. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Hannah understood the reason behind his request for a talk. Given everything that had unfolded, he'd surely pieced together parts of the truth. She owed him a real explanation for using him the way she had.

"Let's get some fresh air," she suggested.

Outside, the night breeze felt cool and grounding as they stepped away from the noise of the club.

Neither of them spoke for a while, a quiet tension hanging in the air. Hannah fumbled for the right words,unsure how to begin.

It was Felix who finally broke the silence, his tone gentle. "You're awfully quiet."

Lifting her gaze, Hannah met his eyes, her expression sincere. "Felix, I owe you an apology.I used you."

She laid everything out for him, with no attempts to dodge the truth.

"At the birthday banquet, things got out of hand. Brinley showed up with some bogus medical report, saying I'd lost a baby and cheated on Vincent-that the child was yours. Vincent bought the lie. I tried to reason with him, but nothing got through, and honestly, I was too furious to try. So I let him believe whatever he wanted. I guess seeing you only made things worse for him, which explains why he's had it out for you all this time."

"So that's what was really going on." Felix let out a small smile, a flicker of hope warming his chest. The fact that she'd confided in him suggested her trust in him.

"It was Vincent's baby, right?" His voice was quiet, but he already knew the truth.

Hannah confirmed it with a nod, her mind drifting back for a moment to the hurt in Vincent's eyes-the way he never truly believed her. She forced herself to push the memory away and let out a long breath. "I figured you'd be angry."

Felix hesitated and then answered,"|was."

Her face fell, and he rushed to explain, "I just wish you'd trusted me enough to tell me sooner."

A weak laugh escaped her lips. "Guess it's better late than never."

Felix swallowed hard, searching her eyes.11SO1, what are you going to do to make it up to me?"

She didn't miss a beat. "I'll buy you dinner?"

He shook his head, grinning. "Not good enough. Take me somewhere fun, something that feels like a getaway."

The request wwas heavy with his ulterior motives, and he knew it, but he couldn't help hoping she'd agree.

"Alright, you're on," Hannah replied without hesitation.

Felix looked away, hiding a wistful smile. Deep down, a small part of him wished Vincent's assumptions were reality, and that Hannah and he really had something going on.

...

Five days had passed without any sign of Vincent at the Jones family estate. Brinley was beside herself with worry,constantly pressuring Danica to lure him back. Danica had just reached for her phone to call Vincent when, out of the blue, someone escorted him home.

Bobby stepped through the door, and Danica immediately recognized him. He and Vincent had always managed to stay on good terms.

"Thank you for bringing Vincent home, Bobby," Danica said with a courteous nod.

"It's no problem, Mrs. Jones. He went a little overboard tonight-just make sure he drinks some honeyed water and gets plenty of rest," Bobby said, offering a reassuring smile as he guided Vincent to the couch.

As Bobby straightened, he spotted a woman hovering close to Vincent. That had to be Brinley Gilbert-the childhood sweetheart everyone talked about. She was living here now? That meant the whispers were real.Brinley and Vincent were seriously on the verge of getting engaged.

Wasting no time, Bobby double-checked that Vincent was settled and then quietly let himseIf out.

Vincent reeked of alcohol, but he wasn't the belligerent type when drunk. Once he was out, he stayed quiet.

Danica shot Brinley a meaningful look and then nudged her gently. "I'll leave Vincent with you, Brinley."

Brinley caught the hint at once. "Don't worry. I'll make sure he's alright."

Now was her moment-an alone time with Vincent.

Brinley reached for his collar, about to undo a button, when Vincent suddenly jerked back and slapped her hand away. His tone was cold and cutting. "What do you think you're doing?"

Brinley flinched, surprise and disappointment flickering across her face before she hidit."1only meant to help. You looked uncomfortable, so I tried to fix your collar."

"I can handle it myself," Vincent replied, his voice flat.

He sat up with effort, feeling the weight of too many drinks. Ever since Hannah left, drinking had become a habit he couldn't shake. It hit him then where he was, back at the family estate. Without another word, he pushed to his feet and made his way upstairs.

"I'll help you," Brinley blurted out, rushing to catch up. Vincent, however, sidestepped her attempt.

Her hand hung in the air, and for a split second, she stood rooted in place, the rejection cutting deeper than she let on. Was he really still so bitter about everything that had happened? He wouldn't even let her get close.

Trying not to let her frustration show, she balled her hands into fists and reminded herself to stay patient.His divorce from Hannah was bound to happen. Sooner or later, the opportunity she wanted would come.There was no need to force things now.

Rather than returning to his bedroom, Vincent drifted down the hall and ended up in the guest room, the very one where Hannah used to sleep. Her scent still lingered on the linens. As soon as he lay down,exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he drifted off to sleep.

When morning arrived, Vincent woke to a throbbing headache.

Downstairs, the quiet clink of silverware greeted him. Danica and Brinley were already having breakfast together. Ever since Sharon left to visit a friend after the birthday fiasco, Danica had been enjoying her days immensely.

Spotting Vincent at the foot of the stairs, Danica called out, "Come join us for breakfast. Brinley made something special for you-she was worried after seeing how drunk you were last night."

"I have work. I'm leaving now," Vincent said, his tone flat as he walked past them, not bothering to look their way.

Danica's fork clattered onto her plate as she hurried after him. "Wait, I need a word."

Vincent stopped and turned, silently waiting for her to speak.

There was a long pause as Danica gathered her courage. She knew this wouldn't be an easy conversation,but she had to ask. "It's been several days... Have you and Hannah already secured the divorce decree?"