Chapter 166

Hannah looked over at Felix. "We're better off as friends. And about what you've said earlier-l'll just pretend I didn't hear it."

Felix didn't flinch. "I understand you need time. I'm not expecting an answer now. Take all the time you need.I'll wait."

Hannah wrung her fingers together, visibly torn.

"If staying friends helps you feel more comfortable,then that's what we'll be. But when the time comes-if it ever does-when you're ready to try something new, I hope you'll consider giving me a chance."He offered a faint smile. "I mean, I'm not that bad,right?"

Hannah returned a small smile. "You're great."

"Then it's settled. And these," he said, holding out a bouquet, "they're for you. Beautiful flowers for a pretty woman. I had them arranged just for tonight."

Hannah didn't have it in her to refuse again. She accepted the bouquet, dazed, murmuring, "Thank you."

Felix smiled warmly. "That's like the third 'thank you'tonight. Just tell me goodnight."

She gave him a sincere smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow." Felix turned and walked away, hands clasped behind his back in a feigned show of calm. But the moment he exited the garden, the disappointment on his face was impossible to miss.

Hannah sat down on the swing, bouquet resting in her lap, and let out a deep sigh.

Vincent, unable to hold back any longer, approached her.

Hannah hadn't expected anyone else to be around.She jolted, startled. Clutching her chest, she frowned. "What the heck are you doing here?"

···

Brinley noticed Vincent's absence about an hour later. After reading his message, any desire to enjoy the rest of the evening vanished.

Daphne didn't want to leave yet, so Brinley returned to the guesthouse on her own.

Brinley knocked on Vincent's door first, but it was empty. Worried that he'd gone to look for Hannah again, she began frantically searching the guesthouse. When she finally spotted him in the garden with Hannah, her expression twisted with fury.

Vincent stood casually, leaning against a column roughly three meters from the swing. "Couldn't sleep," he said. "Came out for a walk and overheard your conversation with Felix."

"You've clearly got too much free time," Hannah muttered, standing up from the swing, ready to But before she could walk away, Vincent spoke again."About what had happened two years ago... I'm sorry..I didn't realize what you've been through. I saw the bottles in your drawer. If I'd known sooner, I wouldn't have let you go through it alone."

Hannah's face remained unreadable. "That's all in the past. There's no need to bring it up."

"There is," Vincent insisted. "You turned Felix down-doesn't that mean there's still a chance for us?I swear, I won't let you face anything alone again."

Brinley, eavesdropping from a distance, felt her blood boil. Was Vincent seriously trying to win Hannah back?

Hannah's eyes were sharp, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "A second chance? So you can break me all over again?"

"| wouldn't."

"Don't tell me you regret the divorce," Hannah said, lips curling into a bitter smile. She thought back to how strangely he'd been acting lately-asking if she'd ever marry him again, lecturing her for coming back late. It all made sense now.

"I indeed regret it," Vincent said, locking eyes with her. "I shouldn't have divorced you."

Since the day they separated, his emotions had been a whirlwind-mood swings he couldn't control, an endless frustration. He hated it.

Hannah let out a short laugh. "Just because I said no to Felix doesn't mean I'd ever go back to you. Every bit of pain I felt in our marriage came from you. You really think I would put myself through that again?Maybe you regret the divorce-l don't. Leaving you was the best decision I've ever made."

Vincent's heart clenched. "I can change. Everything you said-I'll fix it. Even Grandma thinks we should've never split."

"There it is-your grandmother again." Hannah scoffed. "Stop dragging her into this. I didn't divorce