"After we''re married, you''ll have to quit your job. A woman''s ce is in the home. Besides, your line of work brings you into contact with too many men. It''s non- negotiable."


    "You''ll devote yourself to taking care of me and my parents. They sacrificed a lot to raise me, and you''ll show them the proper respect. And you need to give me two sons within three years. As you know, a business like mine needs heirs to carry on the family name."


    "This is the modern age, so all that nonsense about a bride price is outdated. But you will bring a dowry. Think of it as your contribution, an investment I''ll help you manage."


    The portly man leaned back heavily in his chair, jiggling his right leg as heid out aundry list of demands.


    Hannah blinked, staring in disbelief. She had to double-check to make sure it was really Sandra.


    Was this... a blind date?


    Through it all, Sandra maintained a serene smile, her posture elegant andposed.


    "Of course," she said, forcing the words through clenched teeth while trying to appear calm. "I''ve taken note of everything."


    Herpliance seemed to delight the man, who nodded with satisfaction. "My family is very traditional," he continued. "You''ll have to give me a son before I''ll even consider a wedding. No heir, no ring. We''ll have the ceremony when our boy is born."


    The café was quiet, but other patrons had stopped what they were doing, shamelessly eavesdropping. A collective sense of shock rippled through the room as the man spouted his absurd, self-important demands. Yet Sandra remained unfazed, nodding with a polite smile.


    Hannah took a sip of her coffee, her brow furrowing. Could this be a ploy? Did Sandra know Lionel was in Ryth and not divorcing her, so she arranged this ridiculous date to make him jealous?


    A lightbulb went off in Hannah''s head. If that was the case, this was perfect!


    A smile spread across her face at the thought, and at that exact moment, her eyes met Sandra''s.


    Sandra froze, her gaze locking onto Hannah''s triumphant expression. The hand in herp tightened, her fingers digging into the fabric of her skirt.


    What was she doing here? Had she heard everything? Was sheughing at her?


    "Alright, since you agree to my terms, you cane over to my ce tonight," the man said, his eyes raking over Sandra with a greedy look. He''d expected a high maintenance firecracker someone so wonderfully docile.


    Sandra was silent for a long


    mot


    moment, her mother''s instructions echoing in her head. But as she


    looked at the man before her, an image of Lionel''s handsome face. shed her mind. ''


    "I''m sorry," she finally said, her voice firm. "I can''t meet your demands."


    The smile vanished from the man''s


    face. He mmed his hand on the table, jabbing a finger in her direction. "Who do you think you are, the Wood heiress? You should be grateful I''m even willing to marry you! A woman like you has no right to be picky. You just wait I''m going to tell my mother what you did, and you and your parents wille crawling back to apologize!"


    He drained his ss of juice, shot her a furious re, and stormed out of the café.


    Ignoring the whispers around her, Sandra rose and walked over to Hannah''s table.


    "Hannah, what a coincidence. What are you doing here?"


    Before Hannah could answer, her phone buzzed. She nced at the screen, and both women frowned at the name disyed there.


    [Lionel]


    She had blocked him. He must have unblocked himselfst night while she was asleep.


    Sandra''s eyes were fixed on the phone. Seeing Hannah hesitate, she said pointedly, "Your phone is ringing. You should probably answer it so you don''t disturb everyone."