Lionel blocked it with his hand, pushing it open with ease.


    Hannah didn''t have time to move, and the edge of the door caught her on the cheek.


    "So clumsy you don''t even know how to get out of the way?" Lionel stepped inside, his hand reaching out to gently touch her face. "Does it hurt? Did it hit your forehead?"


    He stood before her, carefully examining her face. Seeing only a faint red mark where the door had hit her, he let out a sigh of relief.


    Hannah flinched away from his touch.


    Her reaction seemed to anger him. He grabbed her arm, pulling her back to face him. "Still angry? Your eyes are all red. If you keep crying, they''ll swell up."


    "What''s it to you? Get out. Just get out!" she yelled, pushing against his chest with both hands. But he stood firm, unmoving, simply looking down at her.


    His deliberate stillness felt like a taunt, and her frustration boiled over. She balled her hands into fists and began pounding them against his chest.


    Lionel didn''t move, didn''t try to stop her. He just let her vent her fury.


    Finally, she stopped, her arms falling to her sides. She stood there silently, tears streaming down her face.


    He reached up and gently wiped them away with his thumb, then pulled her into a tight embrace.


    "I came to the hospital the moment I heard. I honestly had no idea you would be attacked after work. I have my people investigating who was behind it." He held her so tightly it felt like he was trying to merge their bodies into one.


    Hannah listened quietly, her eyes half-closed, feeling the heat of his body and the frantic beat of his heart.


    "I knew you were staying at


    Quennel''s. didn''te by because I knew you didn''t want to be disturbed. So I waited at home for you, Hannah every single night I sat in the living room with the lights on, just staring at the front door. Do you have any idea how much hoped you woulde back?"


    His words felt like a knife twisting in her gut, making it hard to breathe.


    She had done the exact same thing for him.


    During the first year of their


    marriage, she would cook dinner


    and then sit in the silent living room,


    sit in


    not even daring to turn on the TV for


    of hike car.


    fear of missing the sound of his car. She would wait from dusk until ther moon was high in the sky, wait until


    all hope was gone.


    Day after day, year after year, until she finally stopped waiting. Because she knew he was nevering home.


    Hannah closed her eyes, saying nothing.


    "If you left his ce, why didn''t youe home? Why didn''t you call me to pick you up?" he asked.


    An unnerving silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of their breathing.


    Lionel released her, his hands gripping her shoulders. "Hannah," he asked, his voice raw with desperation, "do you really want to divorce me?"


    Her nails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain. She took a deep, steadying breath.


    "You''re already unmarried. How can we get a divorce?"


    She pulled his hands off her, walked to the door, and opened it. "Lionel, if you won''t leave, I will. Quennel bas other ces can stay. Please don''t make me five like a fugitive content