As Hannah stepped outside to take the call, Sandra''s body tensed, her expression darkening. She watched the woman through the ss window, a toxic mix of jealousy and hatred bubbling up inside her.


    It wasn''t until after her brother''s fatal car ident that she learned the family business was on the brink of bankruptcy. Her father hade out of retirement to try and save it, but it was no use. Her parents had immediately arranged this blind date, hoping a strategic marriage would rescue the Woods family from ruin.


    The thought of marrying a man like that... she would have been better off marrying Lionel!


    It was all their fault! They were the ones who had warned her that Lionel, despite his sess, had grown up a street thug and was no match for Quennel. They had pushed her to pursue Quennel instead. If it hadn''t been for their meddling, she would be Mrs. Rosenberg right now, not trapped in this nightmare.


    When Hannah returned, Sandra masked her envy with her usual gentle smile.


    "Owen mentioned Lionel was in Ryth too," Sandra said casually. “I was going to ask him to dinner, but he said he was heading back. I had no idea you were here! We all could have had dinner together."


    "He''sing over tonight," Hannah replied, her face a nk canvas as she picked up the receipt to leave.


    "How did you know he''sing tonight?" Sandra pressed, following her.


    Hannah paused for a second, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her lips. "Because I''m his wife. That''s how."


    With that final, dismissive smile, Hannah turned and walked away.


    Left alone, Sandra sank onto the sofa, her features contorted with an uncontainable rage.


    Wife...


    If she hadn''t stepped aside back then, Hannah would have never be Lionel''s wife! She had given her the opportunity of a lifetime, and instead of being grateful, the woman had the audacity to unt it in her face.


    That damned woman! Damn her! She should have let them get divorced when they were nning to. She never should have interfered.


    Sandra''s eyes narrowed.


    If they did get a divorce... wouldn''t that open the door for her?


    A thrill of excitement shot through her. Her hands clenched into tight fists, a cunning glint in her eyes. She wasn''t trying to steal anything." anything, she was simply taking back what was rightfully hers.


    As dusk settled over the city, Hannah returned to the hotel and found Lionel waiting. He was dressed in a sharp, handcrafted


    that entuated his perfect et


    physique standing on the balcony while on the phone. He saw her enter and walked back inside.


    "Hold on, I''m on my way."


    Hearing the gentle tone in his voice, Hannah knew exactly who was on the other end of the line.


    "I have to go out for a bit," Lionel said. "You can order dinner for yourself."


    Hannah dropped her bag and sat down to remove her makeup. "I''ve already eaten."


    He had reached the door when her words stopped him. He turned, his gaze falling on her impassive face. He took a deep breath, about to speak, but Hannah cut him off.


    She met his reflection in the mirror. "Don''t you have somewhere to be? You don''t want to bete."


    Frustrated by her indifference, Lionel strode back to her, nting one hand on the vanity and cupping the back of her head with the other. He leaned in and kissed her hard.


    Hannah flinched away in shock, the light from the mirror illuminating both their faces. He tightened his grip on her chin, forcing her to face him, and his lips descended on hers again, deep and demanding.