Chapter 8

The young woman was none other than Lucas's older sister, Sabrina Hale.

The man in the wheelchair was their father, Raymond Hale. The elegant woman behind them was their mother, Margaret Hale.

The three of them had just returned from a shopping trip to the harbor town, and had stumbled straight into this scene.

Hannah said nothing. The divorce agreement was already signed, and the Hales were no longer her concern.

Before Lucas could speak, Raymond frowned from his wheelchair and asked in a low voice, "Luke, what is going on here?"

Margaret, however, had already sensed something. Spotting Attorney Crawford sorting papers off to one side, she probed carefully.

"Luke, why is Attorney Crawford here? Surely you aren't... planning a divorce?"

Lucas didn't deny it. He fixed his gaze on Hannah, his eyes dark.

"You're right, Mother. I called him here because I'm divorcing Hannah."

Margaret's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands in delight.

"Oh, what wonderful news! Luke, I've begged you so many times, and now you've finally come to your senses!"

Raymond couldn't hide his satisfaction. "Ha! Good riddance! Your mother and I have been saying so since we got home. Cut ties with that woman before she ends the Hale line! That way our family can have an heir!"

He nodded, thoroughly pleased with the decision.

Sabrina smirked. "Well, well. Did the sun rise in the west today? You're actually going through with it? Luke, you're not just teasing us, are you?"

But Lucas's voice was unusually firm. "Sister, I'm serious. I really am divorcing her."

Seeing that he meant it, Sabrina dropped the mockery. Then her gaze slid to Victoria, standing behind him, and she looked her over with open contempt.

"Dear brother, did you divorce Hannah because of this woman?"

"This has nothing to do with Vicky," Lucas said. "Hannah simply doesn't know what's good for her."

Margaret couldn't hold her tongue. "Luke, you've only just realized how ungrateful she is? I told you a hundred times! That vixen is good for nothing but seducing men. All she does is take Hale money to feed her own family. Listen to me: when you divorce her, make sure Attorney Crawford gets back every coin you gave her brother. We cannot let the Winters family profit from us!"

"Yes, Mother. Don't worry about it."

Hannah felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the Hales celebrate.

For years she had given herself to this family, body and soul. She worked from before dawn until night, serving her parents-in-law with all her heart and granting her sister-in-law's every demand. She was a servant in all but name. Each morning she rose before sunrise to prepare a lavish breakfast, and each night she finished by cleaning the entire manor.

Sabrina's daughter was allergic to hair, and Margaret had been unhappy with the maid's cleaning, so she simply dismissed her. After that, every dirty, exhausting chore fell to Hannah. She also massaged Raymond's legs every day and took Sabrina's daughter to and from school.

Yet for all her sacrifice, no one respected her. Anyone could bully her. Lucas barely noticed what she did, and thought it all trivial.

Whenever she complained, he told her to be patient, as though everything were perfectly reasonable. In the Hales' eyes, she was nothing. Her place was lower than that of the family dog.

Raymond, shrewd and experienced, sensed something between Lucas and Victoria at once.

"Luke, isn't this the friend Hannah often brings home? What's going on between you two?"

Victoria stepped forward and gave Raymond what she believed was a flawless smile.

"Hello, Uncle Hale. I'm Luke's friend, Victoria Ashford. I used to visit your home often. You remember my name, don't you?"

Margaret gave her no friendly look at all. She attacked at once. "And where did you crawl from, you little vixen? What are you doing in our house? Trying to seduce my Luke?"

She glared fiercely. In her view, no one Hannah brought into the Hale home was ever any good.

Lucas's face darkened. "Mother, what are you saying? I invited Vicky here. Don't speak to her that way. Be polite."

Raymond noticed how protective his son was, and his own attitude softened. He smiled at Victoria. "Of course I remember you, Miss Ashford. Your aunt is just blunt, and she often speaks without thinking. She means no harm. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Victoria smiled gently. "Please don't worry, Uncle. I understand. Auntie surely didn't mean it. I won't think of it again." Her smile was as warm as spring wind, and it won people over easily.

Margaret glared at her once more and snorted, but said nothing. Inwardly she thought: This woman is no good. We must never let her through the Hale door again, the way we did before!

Hannah didn't want to stay a moment longer. She picked up her bag from the sofa and turned to leave.

Just then, Sabrina called after her in an unfriendly tone.

"Hannah Winters, what's wrong? Leaving so soon?"