Chapter 77

Vincent's voice came through, filled with a quiet sincerity.

When Hannah glanced up, she caught sight of a storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. A trace of reluctance lingered there, almost hidden, but she noticed. That could not be right, could it?

Shaking her head, Hannah pushed the thought away. Why would Vincent hesitate to end things with her now? With Brinley's return, their marriage had a clear expiration date. The only reason he hadn't broached the subject yet was because of his grandmother.

Matching his seriousness, Hannah remarked, "Vincent, let's not even mention those three years we dated.Just focus on the five years we've been married. Can you recall a single moment where we were truly happy together?"

Vincent responded, "I can." He believed their days had passed by smoothly, free of real arguments, and that calmness equaled happiness.

Yet,Hannah gave a bitter laugh, her lips curling into a half-smile. "That's not true for me. Through these five years, I can't recall any happiness. If anything, marrying you has brought me nothing but heartache."

Shock flickered in Vincent's eyes, and all color drained from his face. He opened his mouth to speak, his throat working, but no words came out. So, that was how Hannah saw their years together?

Hannah's gaze fell to her lap as she reflected. Five years felt like a lifetime. She'd been called a home wrecker and even scorned by those in high society while she was actually Vincent's rightful wife. Danica had never hidden her contempt, and Vincent had rarely come home to care. For ages, she'd barely dared to leave their house. The latest blow had been her parents' worry about her marriage.

She realized that each heartbreak and every bit of loneliness-all because she became Vincent's wife. If they had married for love, it might have been bearable, but the truth was, this marriage lacked love entirely.Vincent's heart was never hers. She had always just filled a vacancy.

If she had never chased after him all those years ago, maybe she could have spared herself all this pain.Regret pressed heavily on her heart. If only she'd never crossed paths with Vincent, perhaps her world would be less complicated.

"I'm not divorcing you." Only after a long pause did those words finally break free, the strain obvious in his tone.

Rolling her eyes, Hannah didn't take his statement seriously. Of course, he would marry Brinley someday.The divorce was inevitable.

Nothing in Hannah's expression betrayed any feeling. "Move out of my way."

"Where do you think you're headed?" Vincent's brow creased as he watched her.

Hannah found it amusing that he'd asked her the same question twice, as if on purpose.

"I don't know what you expect from me, Vincent," Hannah replied, unable to hide her irritation."Doyou really want me to sleep in a bed you saved for your future life with Brinley?"

"You're not leaving this room. This is where you'll sleep," Vincent insisted, refusing to budge.

"That's ridiculous. There's no chance I'm staying in here," Hannah retorted, her anger bubbling over.

In a flash, she raised her knee, feigning a kick, but Vincent stepped aside with ease.

Seizing her chance, she slipped through the open door. Being in the same room with Vincent made the air suffocating. With her back to him, she said, "Starting today, I'll sleep in the guest room."

She resolved that after his grandmother's birthday, she wouldn't return to this place.

Without waiting for a response, she marched across the hall, pushed open the guest room door, and shut it behind her without looking back.

Vincent, left standing alone, leaned heavily against the door, his throat burning. He'd given up cigarettes when they started trying for a baby. But now, irritation gnawed at him. He found himself reaching for a cigarette from the drawer, lighting it with trembling hands.

Smoke quickly filled the room, making it impossible to read the turmoil in Vincent's eyes.

Upstáirs, Danica caught the sounds drifting up from below and couldn't resist spying from the stairwell.Upon discovering that Hannah and Vincent would be spending the night in separate rooms, she couldn't have been happier.

Within moments, Danica rushed off, eager to share the good news with Brinley.