“This woman.” Hannah showed them a photo on her phone. "She was all over the news a while back. She used to work at the samew firm as Xenia."


    Zack stared at the picture, his jaw tight. "That bitch," he growled. "She just wait. I''m going to destroy her. I swear I will."


    Hannah didn''t ask what he nned to do. She simply left.


    When she got back to the hotel and stepped out of the elevator, she saw a familiar figure standing in front of her room. She frowned, her first instinct to turn and walk away. But before she could decide, Lionel spotted her and strode over.


    "Have you had dinner?" he asked, his tone gentle.


    Hannah looked down for a moment, then met his gaze. "If you have something to say, just say it."


    "Hannah, do we have to be like this? Can''t we even sit down and have a meal together?" he asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    "Let''s go eat. I made a reservation at that restaurant you used to love. Come on."


    He reached for her hand, but she instinctively took a step back, putting space between them. He froze, a look of surprise crossing his face.


    She sighed, turned, and walked back toward the elevator without a word. Lionel followed her in silence.


    Inside the cramped elevator, they stood in opposite corners like strangers. As more people got on, Lionel subconsciously moved closer, creating a small protective space for her in the crowd. Hannah stared down at his polished leather shoes, next to her sneakers, their tips almost touching. The contrast felt absurd.


    If this had been a few years ago, would have been thrilled, seeing it as a sign of his quiet care Now, it just seemed like a ridiculous like a ridiculous charade.


    Thankfully, they reached the ground floor quickly.


    In the parking garage, Lionel opened the passenger door for her. Hannah stood motionless.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked. "You''re not going to change your mind now, are you?"


    She gave him a long, searching look,


    then got into the car without a word. As she reached for her seatbelt, she saw that he was leaning over to


    fastent for her. The strange, overly chill down


    solicitous gesture sent


    her spine.


    She had a growing feeling that Lionel was nning something.


    The drive was silent. Lionel tried to start a conversation a few times, but Hannah


    just stared out the window, so he eventually gave up.


    At the restaurant, a waiter led them to their table. It had been borately


    decorated. Hannah nced at Lionel, a question in her eyes.


    As soon as they were seated, she couldn''t hold it in any longer. "Lionel, what is this all about?"


    "You forgot, didn''t you? It''s our wedding anniversary."