Chapter 523

Vincent slouched against the doorframe, his alcohol-brightened eyes fixed on Hannah with raw intensity."If you agree, we wouldn't just be dating-we could even remarry."

He paused, voice falling to a low, almost pleading rumble."My place feels like a hollow box, cold and empty.Can I spend the night here instead?"

Hannah's chest tightened, and after a beat, she stepped aside, murmuring,"Alright."

Once Vincent crossed the threshold, he quickly added, "I'll take the couch."

Hannah arched a brow, her tone light. "Okay. Crash wherever you lke."

His gaze locked on her, testing limits with a crooked half-smile. "Then maybe I stay in your bed?"

Hannah shot him down without hesitation, her voice cool and steady. "Not happening. Anywhere but beside me."

Vincent's expression flickered with disappointment, a shadow crossing his face before he quickly masked it.

Noticing that trace of vulnerability, Hannah felt a sudden pang of sympathy. Just as she was about to retreat to her own room, she stopped and turned around, her steps deliberate as she walked toward him. Lifting her gaze to meet his slightly bloodshot eyes, she spoke with quiet firmness. "Vincent, it isn't just me and your grandmother you have. You also have yourself."

Her voice steadied, each word deliberate. "I believe a person must first be whole within themselves-grounded and strong-before they can truly hold on to anything else. Perhaps today, I finally understand why you've been so aloof. Maybe it's because you lost your father too early, your mother never gave you the love you needed, and you had to build walls around yourself just to protect yourself."

A mix of gentleness and resolve threaded through her voice as she continued, "You should be proud of yourself, Vincent. You endured so much and still grew into someone strong and remarkable. You never strayed. Honestly, if I had lived through what you did, I doubt I could've been as strong." Vincent's gaze lingered on her, her words cutting straight through the fog of liquor, as if all the buried pain and bitterness finally had a voice. In a sudden motion, he pulled her into his arms, clutching her tightly, as though desperate to draw every ounce of her warmth and understanding into his hollow chest.

For a long while, Hannah remained still in his embrace, letting him hold her. Only when she felt a faint dampness against her neck did she shift slightly and murmur, her tone soft as a sigh, "Vincent, are you crying?"

Vincent buried his face deeper into the crook of her neck, his words muffled and stubborn. "I don't cry. Not ever."

Hannah let out a quiet, amused laugh, her voice soft but sure. "Liar. You're crying right now."

Easing back from his embrace, she cradled his face between her palms. His brooding eyes were rimmed in red, and a lone tear slipped down his cheek.

On impulse, Hannah rose on her toes and kissed the salty tear away.

Vincent went rigid, the haze of alcohol evaporating in an instant. His pupils widened, shock flashing in his gaze as he stared at her.

When she drew back, she tilted her head, her lips curving into a radiant, mischievous smile. Her voice was clear, almost playful. "Vincent, do you want to be with me-for real?"

He stood frozen, eyes glistening redder than before, barely daring to breathe, terrified even the smallest sound might shatter the fragile, dreamlike moment.

Hannah caught the stunned look in his eyes and, with a playful tilt of her chin, forced her expression into mock severity as she made to step away. "Don't want it? Fine then-pretend I never said a word."

Her teasing lilt barely had time to fade before Vincent jolted back to himself. "No!" He clutched her wrist with desperate urgency, tugging her toward him as though afraid she might vanish. His voice wavered with pent-up excitement. "I couldn't want it more! I've waited so long to hear this from you."

Drawing in a steadying breath, he lowered his gaze, the weight of his sincerity pressing through every word."Hannah, let's seriously and properly have a relationship, okay? No more misunderstandings, no more

secrets. Just us, the way it was when you first showed interest in me. This time, let me love you the way you deserve."

The armor around her heart, hardened for years, crumbled at his earnest plea. Her lips curved into a faint smile."Okay."

That single word broke the dam inside him, unleashing everything he had tried so hard to contain.He could no longer restrain himself; he bent down and captured her lips in a kiss.

This time, it carried none of the old hints of possession or claim, but brimmed with gentleness, quiet joy,and a vow of what was to come.

Every press of his mouth was tender yet fervent, as though he tried to convey all his love and determination through this kiss.

Hannah responded without hesitation, her arms sliding firmly around his neck as she drew him closer.

They had weathered so much together, and she couldn't decide if her yes came from a softened heart in this moment or from love that had never truly faded. Either way, she no longer trembled at the thought of choosing him again.

Uncertaintylingered, but she believed the road ahead would hold its own beauty. She was not the fragile girl she had once been. Strength had taken root in her, enough to face the weight of any choice-even the risk of loving again.