Chapter 6

In the bright, spacious master bedroom, Victoria's lovely eyes shimmered with tears as she gazed up at Lucas, the picture of wounded innocence.

"Luke, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I never imagined Hannah would be so rash, or that she'd actually demand a divorce. You know me. I never wanted to come between you two. I only wanted you to have a child of your own..."

Before she could finish, her tears fell like pearls from a broken string. She looked so pitiful that anyone would have ached for her.

Lucas rushed to comfort her. "Hmph. Hannah just doesn't know what's good for her. She's selfish. How could any of this be your fault?"

"Luke, why don't you try talking to her again? If she really leaves you, she'll have nowhere to go. You know how her parents treated her. If they hear you divorced her, they won't let her off lightly."

Lucas only laughed coldly. "Talk to her? Never. If she wants a divorce, I'll give her one. After she's suffered out there for a while, she'll learn exactly how good I was to her."

Victoria tested the waters carefully. "Luke, aren't you worried Hannah might find another man? She is so beautiful..."

Then she watched his face from the corner of her eye.

Just as she'd hoped, his expression darkened. His voice went icy.

"The world is full of beautiful women. But Hannah has no education, no family name, and she can't even bear a child. She's an empty shell with a pretty surface. Besides me, what man would marry her?"

A flash of jealousy crossed Victoria's face and vanished just as quickly. She nodded, feigning agreement.

"You're right, Luke. You were so good to her, and she never appreciated it. Hannah really doesn't know how lucky she was!"

"She asked for this. Once she walks out that door, she's nothing to me. I'm finished with her."

Lucas raised his voice, making sure Hannah, sitting in the sitting room, could hear every word. Then he pulled a card from his pocket and pressed it into Victoria's palm.

"Vicky, there are a hundred thousand crowns on this. Spend it however you like. If you need more, just ask."

Victoria's eyes lit up at the sight of it. She nodded sweetly and gazed at him with adoring tenderness.

"Thank you, Luke."

She rose, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply. Soon they were lost in each other once more.

Lucas gently eased her back as she caught her breath, and brushed her cheek with his fingers.

"Vicky, I'm sorry you've had to go through this."

She shook her head. "I'm not hurt, Luke. It's only a pity about you and Hannah, after so many years..."

"What is there to regret?" he cut in. "She's the one who insisted on a divorce. I gave her a choice and she threw it away. Don't feel sorry for her. Now that it's come to this..."

He pulled her closer by the waist and lowered his voice. "Vicky, I hope you'll think more about our future..."

She blushed shyly. "Luke, things are already so good as they are. I wouldn't dare ask for more..."

"Why would that be too much to ask?" He frowned. "When you're pregnant, that child will be my child, a Hale. When my parents learn of it, they'll be overjoyed. They'll agree to bring you into the family. And then you'll be my true Mrs. Hale."

"But... what about Hannah?"

"She doesn't want to be Mrs. Hale. Why should I force her?"

A cold light crossed his eyes. "And after all these years, she throws it away over something like this? Does she think I can't live without Hannah Winters?"

"I understand..."

Victoria bit her lip and sighed softly, as if a thought had just come to her. "I'll think carefully about our future. But right now, what matters most is settling things with Hannah..."

His eyes darkened. "Don't worry. After the divorce, she gets nothing, and I'll take back every coin I gave her brother. If she doesn't repay it, he'll spend the rest of his life in prison."

In the sitting room, Hannah snapped out of her daze. Her phone was ringing. On the screen flashed one name: Doreen Winters.

Her first instinct was to reject the call. But her finger, as if it had a will of its own, pressed answer.

"Hello..."

"Hannah Winters, are you trying to get yourself killed?! Do you know what day it is? You still haven't come, and you've forgotten a gift for my grandson? I told you so many times: eighty-eight thousand crowns and a gold lock. Can't you even manage that much? He's your own nephew!"

Doreen's voice was like a blade driven into Hannah's ear. Hannah gripped the phone and swallowed her irritation, but the words slipped out anyway.

"And what have you prepared for your grandson?"

Doreen was caught off guard. For a moment, there was only silence on the line.

"Hannah, you're daring to question your mother now? What I prepare is none of your business! I'm asking you, did you get what I told you or not? If you did, get over here right now!"

Her voice climbed higher, sharp with annoyance and impatience.

"I have no money left."

"No money? Who are you trying to fool? Your husband is Lucas Hale, heir to the great Hale Group! He can't spare eighty-eight thousand crowns?" Doreen didn't believe a word.

"I've divorced Lucas."

The line went dead quiet. After a long moment, Doreen's shocked voice came through.

"What? Divorced? Hannah, have you lost your mind? You'd throw away such a good catch?"

Hannah answered calmly. "Lucas cheated on me."

"Cheated? Which man doesn't stray? Can't you just endure it?" Doreen's voice dripped with reproach.

"I'm not a doormat. Why should I have to endure it?"

"You wretched girl!"

Doreen was fuming. "Are you out of your mind? How did I raise such a useless daughter? I thought you'd be able to help this family once you married into the Hales, and look at what you've done! You dare ask for a divorce? Let me tell you, you will not divorce him! If you do, your father and I will send you back to Silas Crowe!"