Chapter 165
Hannah had considered booking a different guesthouse, but since she and Felix were leaving the following day, she decided it wasn't worth the hassle.
Hannah and Felix spent the whole day out and didn't return until ten that night.
Just as they approached the entrance, the door swung open from the inside.
Felix assumed it was the manager and frowned slightly-hadn't he specifically asked to keep things quiet?
Instead, Vincent stepped into view, his expression stormy. "Do you have any idea how late it is?"
Irritation flickered across Hannah's face. She cast a glance behind her, checking to see if Brinley was nearby. "If you're looking for Brinley, you've got the wrong crowd. She isn't with us."
Vincent's frown deepened. "I'm talking to you." His gaze settled on Felix, and his tone turned sharp. "I'd figured someone had put my ex-wifeinto danger."
Hannah stared him down. "Relax. Felix is a far better person than you ever were. He wouldn't ditch me in the middle of nowhere and ask me to get a cab on my own. My life is none of your concern. Stay out of it."
That jab made Vincent pause, momentarily thrown back to the urgency of the situation that had forced his hand.
Sensing the tension, Felix stepped in and gently guided Hannah past Vincent. He wasn't about to let her waste another second on an old argument,especially not when he had something important to say. "Let's go inside."
Once at Hannah's door, Felix turned to her, a trace of nerves in his voice. "Remember before the bidding meeting, when I said I had something I needed to tell you?"
"Of course, I remember. Should we discuss it now?"Hannah's expression shifted, expecting Felix to bring .up something work-related.
Felix looked her straight in the eyes. "Meet me in the garden in five minutes. I'll explain everything there."
Hannah didn't hesitate. "Alright. I'll just drop off my things and be right out."
As soon as Hannah stepped inside her room, Felix released a shaky breath. He dashed to his own room,ran a hand through his hair, and swapped his clothes for something more polished. Satisfied with his appearance, he made his way to the garden.
The moment Hannah arrived, she stopped in her tracks, taken aback by the sight.
Yellow roses filled the garden, each bouquet tucked with photos of her, turning the whole place into a collage of memories.
Seeing Hannah's surprise, Felix approached and gently guided her toward the center of the blooms.
A nervous smile flickered across Hannah's lips."What's all this for?"
It was impossible to pretend she still thought this was about work.
Felix met her gaze, his expression earnest. "There's something l've wanted to tell you for a long time.Even though we didn't go to the same university,working with you on that competition was the highlight of my student life. I couldn't pinpoint the moment I started falling for you. All I knew was that every day I got to see you, I felt so happy. I meant to confess my feelings for you in junior year, but you came to me, beaming, to say you'd found someone.So I kept quiet."
"Felix, wait-" Hannah started, but he quickly cut her off. "Please, let me finish. These feelings have been bottled up long enough."
Felix's eyes shone with sincerity. "Co-founding a firm with you was just an excuse to stay close to you. But when you got married and left, it felt like I lost you for good. We didn't speak for five years. I thought I'd finally moved on, until you came back into my life and told me about your upcoming divorce. Suddenly,everything came rushing back. Hannah, would you give us a chance? Will you be my girlfriend?"
Not far away, Vincent, who had wandered out to clear his head, caught every word, never expecting to stumble upon such a confession. His hands balled into fists, tension crackling in the air.
Just as he was about to step forward, Hannah's voice broke through the stillness. "I'm sorry!"
Felix's expression faltered. "What did you say?"
Running her fingers through her hair, Hannah looked uneasy. "Your honesty means a lot to me, Felix.You're the first person who's ever laid their heart out for me like this."
Vincent had never said such things to her. There might have been regrets in the past, but not anymore. Felix forced a weak smile. "Then why apologize?"
Hannah didn't shy away from Felix's gaze. "I can't say yes."
"Why not?" Felix asked, searching her face. "We've had some truly good times together these days,haven't we?"
Hannah dropped her eyes, taking her time before answering softly, "It's not about you, Felix. The truth is, my last marriage left scars I haven't healed from.I think l've lost the ability to love someone. I'm just not in a place for a relationship right now."
A wave of pain tightened in Vincent's chest, her quiet confession cutting deeper than he expected. How much pain must Hannah have endured to speak those words?