Lionel hurried upstairs to find Hannah.


    Cora watched him go and kicked the sofa in frustration.


    "Mom, did you see him?" she muttered. "What''s so great about that slut who''s been with a dozen men? He doesn''t even care how tired he is; he just runs straight to her."


    If Lionel had met her first, she would have taken care of him. She would have had dinner ready for him every night, drawn his bath, dried his hair. She would have loved him properly, not like that ungrateful bitch who used him to climb the socialdder and then treated him like dirt. It served him right that he was divorcing her.


    What a piece of trash.


    Once they were divorced, she would hire people to do the same thing to Hannah again and post it online, so no one would ever marry her.


    "That''s enough! Can''t you keep your mouth shut?" Lily snapped, pulling her into a corner where the cameras couldn''t see them.


    "That bitch used the security footage to get you kicked out once. Don''t think she won''t do it again. Don''t say another word. It''s only for a few more weeks. Just endure it, and don''t give her any more ammunition, you understand?"


    She knew Mrs. Rosenberg had sent them back to antagonize Hannah and push the divorce along. So they had to do their job. No matter what, they had to stay, to be a constant source of irritation, to provoke fights until Hannah finally stormed out for good.


    Cora, though still resentful, nodded in agreement.


    Lionel went upstairs just as Hannah, having changed into her loungewear, was about toe down.


    She was startled by his rushed entrance.


    He said nothing, striding over to her and grabbing her arms. His eyes scanned her


    from head to toe, lingering on any exposed skin.


    "Hannah," he said, his voice trembling, his grip tightening, didn''t know that happened when yo? were kidnapped. You never told me."


    He had thought she had been rescued, safe and unharmed. He couldn''t imagine how desperate she must have felt.


    His words sent a chill through Hannah''s heart, and a small, bitter smile touched her lips.


    Seeing her smile at a time like this, Lionel''s heart ached. She was just putting on a brave face.


    "Are the kidnappers still at the police station?" he asked, his dark


    fixed on her, his voice so eyesne


    "Hannah, don''t worry Even though this happened, I won''t abandon you?"


    Hannah blinked, thinking she must have misheard him.


    "It''s okay. Everything will pass. I''ll find a way to help you—"


    Hannah raised her hand and pped him hard across the face. The sharp, crisp sound echoed through the room.


    Lionel''s head snapped to the side, his hair falling into his face. He was stunned for a moment, but there ?n mis eyes He nodded, then took her hand and


    was no ange


    ced it back on his cheek.


    "Yes, you''re right to hit me. If you''re still angry, go ahead. Hit me again."


    He took her hand and pped his own face with it a few more times.


    Seeing his manic behavior, Hannah yanked her hand away.