Victoria's smile widened as she saw Ashton return home. The mother immediately pulled him into a warm embrace. Ashton looked healthier, his skin slightly tanned.
"How was it there? Did everything go well?" Victoria asked.
Ashton nodded. "Everything is fine. Except for the heat and the occasional storm. There's nothing better than sleeping in a tent surrounded by creepy crawlies."
Hearing that, Victoria chuckled. "Sounds like an adventure."
"Indeed."
Ashton linked his arm with Victoria's, and they entered the family room. Victoria could see the joy on her son's face as they sat side by side.
"Were you surprised when Hannah arrived?" Victoria's smile widened.
"Oh, so you were behind it?" Ashton chuckled. "Thank you, Mom. You're so thoughtful."
"But everything's okay, right? Because Roger called me—he didn't expect that you two were getting married."
"Well, Hannah wants to keep our relationship private. At least until
Hannah and Ashton held each other’s hands tightly as they arrived at the church, but hardly any guests left. Most had already departed, leaving only family members waiting with pale and anxious faces.Victoria visibly relaxed when she saw Hannah and Ashton enter the hall. The middle-aged woman hurried over to her son. Ashton gave her a toothy grin.“Mom,” Ashton greeted her.Victoria glared at him angrily. “Have you lost your mind? You left Hannah, and you think it’s okay? I didn’t raise you to be irresponsible, Ashton!”Ashton lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I just thought Hannah might not be happy with me, so I...”Ashton’s eyes flicked to Alden, who watched them from a distance and was too hesitant to approach. Instead, Alden began to chat with Francesca, avoiding any interruption of Victoria’s scolding session with her younger son.“There’s plenty of t
"What did you say?"Hannah was shocked at Aspen's words. Before Aspen could answer, Hannah's phone buzzed with several new messages. She quickly grabbed it and read the texts from Ashton."I'm sorry, but I feel like I'm standing in the way of your happiness.""Your groom is already here. And it's not me.""I can't compete with my own brother."Hannah's hands shook with rage as she read the messages.Without thinking, she stormed out of the room and rushed into the hall, where an uproar had already broken out. Everyone knew Ashton was missing. Hannah's legs felt weak, her heart heavy with disbelief.How could Ashton call off the wedding at the last minute and hand her over to Alden?"How stupid," Hannah thought bitterly.Alden approached her and locked eyes with her for a moment, frozen by her beauty in the wedding gown. He couldn't stop staring at his ex-wife, who looked more radiant than ever."Did Ashton send yo
Concentrate!That's what Hannah kept telling herself on her wedding day. After the fight between Ashton and Alden, there hadn't been any more incidents. Alden seemed to disappear, especially after Sarah's funeral.Alden had sent the deed to Hannah's house to the hospital, but the guardianship papers for Henry had not yet arrived. Ashton was already very upset, but Victoria kept reassuring her son that Alden might need some time.Days passed and the wedding day arrived.Hannah sat in front of the mirror and looked at her own reflection in the beautiful white gown. It was Hannah's dream to walk down the aisle and say her vows before God."Almost time," Aspen said, looking at her phone. "The ceremony starts in fifteen minutes.""Stay calm and smile brightly, Hannah," Francesca advised.Hannah nodded."Mom, come on... you need to sit down now. Jacy and Henry are going to walk Hannah down the aisle," Aspen instructed.Since e
Though the cafe fight was eventually broken up by people around them, and Hannah left with Ashton, it caused quite a stir.The café fight became a hot topic on social media, especially since it coincided with the day of Sarah Young's death, dragging Alden, Hannah, and Ashton into the news.Hannah went straight to her room after Victoria told her to. Although she was concerned about Ashton's injuries, Victoria insisted that Hannah stay in the room. She felt like she was being punished, and the guilt weighed heavily on her.About an hour later, Victoria entered Hannah's room, sighing as she sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at Hannah sadly."Are you okay, Hannah?" Victoria asked.Hannah, her eyes swollen from crying, just shook her head. "No...""I talked to Ashton. He's much calmer now." Victoria gently stroked Hannah's head. "He's jealous and angry. Ashton isn't angry with you, he's furious with Alden.""If Ashton were ups
Throughout the meeting, Hannah's mind was completely unfocused. She spent most of the time daydreaming, which caused Ashton to look at her curiously several times. As soon as the meeting ended, Ashton walked up to her."Is something bothering you, dear?" Ashton asked.Hannah was silent for a moment, then shook her head weakly."Hannah?""Sarah Young died today. I saw the news and she died of cancer," Hannah replied quietly.Ashton had no idea who this Sarah was. Hannah had never mentioned the name before. Hannah looked at Ashton and gave him a sad smile."Sarah is Alden's ex-girlfriend. But when she came back, Alden chose her over me." Hannah sighed softly. "I understand why Alden did that, because in the past there was an accident and Sarah was badly injured. Her mental illness could never be completely cured.""Okay, this is new information to me. After all these years.""Well, I didn't think you needed to know, Ashton," Hann
"No!!"Sarah's hysterical scream startled Kenneth and Alden. Sarah rushed into Kenneth's study and weakly slapped her brother."How could you! You're a traitor! I hate you!" Sarah screamed, crying."Sarah, calm down!" Alden pulled her away from her brother."Don't listen to him! He's evil! Kenneth is trying to break us apart!" Sarah glared and continued to try to attack Kenneth. "You won't get away with this!""You're the one who separated Alden from his wife and child!" Kenneth shouted back. "You think you're innocent here? We're both sinners, Sarah!"Sarah stared at Kenneth with vacant eyes and then suddenly fainted in Alden's arms."Call the ambulance, Kenneth! Hurry!" Alden shouted in a panic.With shaking hands, Kenneth grabbed his phone and called the hospital. He rushed out of the study and called for the staff to help Alden.Moments later, the ambulance arrived and took Sarah to the hospital.*Kenn