Chapter 4

Hannah’s POV:

“What on earth are you doing?” I quizzed, giving Adam a puzzled look.

The tall hunk of a man had an apron tied around his waist, highlighting his broad shoulder and wide chest. He was standing in front of the gas with a pot boiling with water, and in his hand was pasta that he was breaking into the boiling water.

Why on earth would you break pasta? That kind of act should be punishable by law.

I was starting to second guess accepting Adam’s offer to join me in preparing dinner. I decided to make my special tomato sauce and pasta, and Adam volunteered to be in charge of making the pasta.

“What? Am I doing something wrong?” He replied innocently.

I giggled at his nativity. “You’re not supposed to break them. Just put them in as a whole.”

“Ohh! Really.” His eyes widened in realization. I shook my head, laughing.

“Hey, don’t laugh.” He pouted his lips as he poured in the pasta. “Not all of us were taught how to cook by our moms.”

My laughter seized at the mention of my mom. I never learned to cook from my mom; in fact, I was forced to learn to cook on my own because for some reason unknown to me, ever since I was born, my mom was always distant. She was sweet and kind to my brothers, but she treated me like she regretted giving birth to me.

Even after I got kidnapped and returned home after two years, it was the same. No, it was worse. Because I came home to see that my parents had adopted another daughter, Maria. And everyone treated her like a princess, a depressing contrast to how they always treated me.

My eyes got blurry due to the tears gathering at the rim, and I blurted out. “It’s quite the opposite.”

POPPPP!!

I heard the popping of a champagne bottle and turned to face Adam. He had a glass in front of him and poured the red champagne drink into it. I knew he noticed how sad his statement made me and was trying to get me to stop thinking about it.

He always does this. I’m grateful. 

“Aren’t you the one who doesn’t drink?” I raised a brow as he drank from the glass.

He smirked. “This is to celebrate your divorce.” He slid the glass he just took a sip from over to me on the kitchen table and gestured for me to drink.

My cheeks turned red and my heart began to beat rapidly.

He wants me to drink from the same glass? Wouldn’t that make our lips touch…almost like…a kiss?

I forced myself to stop overthinking things and grabbed the glass. I was about to take a sip when a strong pain suddenly banged in my head.

“Ahh,” I cried, and the glass fell from my hand, causing me to stagger backward.

Adam immediately rushed to my side and held me in his arms. “Hannah, are you okay?”

I couldn’t answer and just stayed in his arm for a moment, allowing just the silence and warmth of Adam’s arm to comfort me.

The headache subsided, and I released myself from his grip. “I’m fine now.” I managed to say.

Adam shook his head disapprovingly. “No. Tomorrow my driver will take you to go see the doctor. I’m sure it’s stress from you being so close to the car accident.”

I wanted to tell Adam not to bother, but he gave me a look that stated he wasn’t going to hear any excuses. I had to concur.

*

*

“Your headaches are as a result of your emotional stress, Miss Hannah,” the doctor diagnosed. “Sometimes when we bottle up too much inside of us, it can manifest as a physical ailment.”

Great! Now even my body is crying out from how much stress I’ve been through!

“I’d prescribe you some vitamins and drugs you would get from our pharmaceutical department. With a good rest, you should be okay.” He wrote me a note, and I headed out.

After getting my prescription, I was on my way out when I came face-to-face with Hayes and Lenora at the reception.

Immediately Hayes saw me, a pompous grin spread across his oval face. “I knew you’d be back to apologize.” 

This cheating bastard just can’t get it through his skull that me apologizing is never happening.

“Now that you’re finally done making a scene and have come to your senses, kneel and ask for forgiveness.” He pointed to the floor.

I could see the delight in Lenora’s eyes at the mention of me kneeling at her feet. “Also, she should hand over her competition submission.” She tugged at Hayes' shirt and gave him googly eyes.

I want to puke.

“Do as you’re told and just maybe, we’ll let the car accident you caused go away without any consequence.” Hayes chipped in.

I took a bold step forward, covering the small distance between us, my blood running hot. “No need. The accident would be settled in court.” My eyes darted to Lenora, the intensity making her skin crawl.

“And forget about my competition submission because I’ve personally registered myself. Plus I quit—” I was about to remind Hayes that I had resigned when his secretary came out of the blue and ran towards me, pulling my arm.

“Are you really sure about quitting?” Micheal whispered lowly. “You know your project is almost done, and if you leave now, you’d miss out on bonuses.” He pestered.

I yanked my hand out of his grip. This whole ‘kind act’ Michael was putting on was only a facade. I knew the only reason he didn’t want me to quit was because he couldn’t handle even half of the workload I handled, and if I left, most of my responsibilities would fall on him.

“Oh please. Let her go if she wants,” Lenora’s jealousy cut through the air. “She only got her position in the company because she was married to my brother. I’m sure everyone at work must be pleased to see her go.”

Micheal hesitated before saying, “But there’s still the final handover of our ongoing project, and Hannah has always been the one to handle it.”

Lenora hissed. “What’s the biggie in that? I’d handle it.”

I wanted to laugh, but even laughter wouldn’t do this clowny justice. Lenora, who couldn’t code or lacked basic knowledge about the project, was going to take over?

As I remembered, this was one of our first big projects that raked us millions of dollars back then. I had worked tirelessly on it, and it was thanks to me that it was a success.

I will like to see how she pulls this off.

“I guess you’re in good hands then,” I patted Michael on his shoulder. His face dropped.

He knows the project is fucked. I smiled.

As I attempted to pass through, Hayes blocked my way.

Jesus! Why won’t these people just leave me alone!!!

“Apologize.” Hayes' voice was firmer this time. Serious.

He’s trying to scare me. 

The old Hannah would have cowered and backed down, but this was a version 2.0 with a higher upgrade of confidence.

I moved forward, staring at him right back. “Get out of my way.”

He was about to say something when my phone rang, causing him to swallow his words. I answered the call. “You can come in; I’m at the reception.”

Earlier that morning, my lawyer, Cathy called to tell me that the divorce papers were ready, and I told her to bring them to the hospital. 

“If you walk out like this, don’t bother coming back home again.” Hayes threatened as soon as I dropped the call. 

This fool doesn’t even know that I’ve moved out already. How would he? When he is busy frolicking around his devil-reincarnate of a sister. 

“Just do what’s best for everyone and apologize.” He insisted as he saw that I was determined to leave.

What is best for everyone? What about what is best for me?

The atmosphere got stiff, and the tension in the air was almost palpable.

“Miss Hannah,” Cathy’s voice shattered the tension like broken glass. She walked up to me and looked around suspiciously, noticing the stiffness in the air.

I cleared my throat and regained my composure. “Do you have the papers with you?” I asked Cathy.

She nodded affirmatively and opened her bag to bring it out.

“What papers?” Hayes questioned keenly, looking from Cathy to me for answers.

Cathy handed me the divorce papers, and I plunged them into Hayes's hands. “I’m done doing what’s best for everyone else; it’s time I started doing what’s best for me.”

Hayes looked at me, still confused as to the events playing out. Lenora ran up to look at the paper, and Michael just stood frozen in place.

“It’s our divorce papers. Sign it, and my lawyer will be in touch.” I dropped the bombshell.

Without giving any of them the time to react, I signaled to Cathy, and we left their presence. Leaving them utterly flabbergasted.