Chapter 53

A chill swept through Hannah as her father's reaction landed, dread coiling tightly inside her. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Margaret started to reply, but Raymond silenced her with a stern hand. "Let me handle this."

Facing his daughter, his words shook with emotion,and he barely managed to keep in check. "Answer me, Hannah. Is Vincent Jones truly your husband-the CEO everyone talks about?"

Hannah immediately guessed what had happened.Someone must've told her parents something-and it was most likely that secretary Clive.

The lobby grew busy around them, yet more and more people slowed their steps, drawn by the tension building in the air.

Determined to avoid an ugly public confrontation,Hannah tried to steady herself. "We'll talk at home.Please, let's leave now, and I'll explain everything there."

But Raymond wouldn't budge. "We're not going anywhere. You answer me right now. Are you working a real job, or have you really been living off a man all this time?"

That word hit like a slap. Hannah instinctively shook her head. "No, that's not true."

"Then start explaining," he urged, his finger trembling as he pointed at her. "Tell me the truth.Is your marriage even real? Why does no one acknowledge you as Vincent Jones's wife? Why is everyone saying you're just his mistress?"

He fixed her with an unyielding stare, desperate for answers. But Hannah looked away, unable to speak.

The tension in his raised voice only escalated. "Don't just stand there. Say something! I want the truth!"

A circle of onlookers had formed, their whispers and camera phones quietly recording the unfolding family drama. Hannah refused to utter a word in front of strangers.

Raymond mistook her silence for shame. His expression collapsed into heartbreak. Their daughter... She had truly ended up living as another man's kept woman. Pain was clear in his eyes, and he backed away. "Get out of my sight. You're not the daughter | thought I raised. The Hannah I know wouldn't trade her dignity for a life like this."

His breathing turned ragged, each breath rougher than the last.

Hannah opened her mouth, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere-to stop this downward spiral-but the moment she lifted her head, she saw her father struggling for breath, his face drained of color. "Dad! Dad, what's happening?"

Margaret jumped in quickly, cradling her husband and rubbing his back. "Hannah, his blood pressure's spiking. We need to get him to the hospital,now!"

A shaky "Alright" was all Hannah could manage.

The lobby's curious eyes, their murmurs, and the flashes from phones faded as Hannah hurried her parents outside, her gaze cold and distant.

None of the trio spoke during the ride. Silence pressed in on all sides.

Before long,Raymond was admitted to the hospital.

Tears streaked down Margaret's cheeks as she tried to find her voice. "Maybe we never should have come, Hannah. This only made things worse for you."

Sitting close, Hannah reached for a tissue and gently dabbed her mother's face, whispering, "Mom,please. Dad's going to pull through. You have to trust that."

Grief made Margaret's voice quiver as she looked up,her eyes red and swollen. "Hannah, have things been hard for you all these years?"

Fingers gripping her daughter's hand for support,Margaret pleaded, "Come back with us. Life might be quieter, but at least you'll have your dignity. I can't bear to see you living like this." Always, their daughter had stood tall and proud. The thought of her being anyone's mistress was almost too much for them to bear.

A dull ache filled Hannah's chest as she watched her mother struggle to hold herself together. Worry had driven her parents all this way, hoping for reassurance and a glimpse of happiness in her life.All they had wanted was to meet Vincent and see her contented finally. Instead, they'd been met with doubt and humiliation.

Happiness for their only child had always been their greatest wish. Facing a truth so painful seemed impossible.

Blinking back her own tears, Hannah squeezed Margaret's shoulder, trying to sound light even though her heart was heavy. "Mom, I'm not someone's plaything. Vincent and I are actually married. It's just that we kept the marriage under wraps. You know how these wealthy families are-it's all about appearances."

A hopeful look flickered in Margaret's eyes. "Is that true?"

Determined to prove herself, Hannah decided to call Vincent again. "You don't have to worry, Mom. Dad's here in the hospital, and I know Vincent will come as soon as he can."

In reality, Hannah had once planned to tell her parents she and Vincent were getting a divorce. But circumstances had changed, and the truth would only cause more pain now. Right now, she needed to put their minds at ease.

Once her father was stable and out of emergency care, a measure of relief settled over Hannah.

Taking her seat at his bedside, she leaned in and explained quietly, "Dad, I really am married to Vincent. We just never made it public, which is why there are so many rumors. But you have my word, it's real."

Suspicion lingered in Raymond's eyes as he turned toward his wife. "You believe her?"

Margaret nodded with quiet conviction."Ido."

Still, Raymond looked skeptical. "Don't try to lie to me just because I'm not well. I can handle the truth,no matter what it is."

Hannah shook her head. "I'm telling you the truth.Vincent and I are legally married." She paused, willing herself to stay strong. "If you want, I'll even bring the marriage license for you to see."

A skeptical look remained on Raymond's face. "If what you're saying is true, bring Vincent here. I want to hear it from him myself."