"You could have called me for help with something like that. I would have taken care of everything for you."


    Hannah froze for two seconds, then turned to look at Samuel.


    For a moment, neither of them knew what to say. They just stared at each other as if they''d heard the most ridiculous thing in the world.


    "Ask you for help? And just when you agree, Sandra would call you, and you''d have to run off to solve her problems, right? Oh, wait, Sandra''s missing now, but that wouldn''t stop you from having some other emergency."


    Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her eyes filled with scorn.


    She waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it. You were never there for me when I needed you in the past. Besides, I have other people who can help me now. Why would I need you?"


    Hannah paused, then asked with a mocking tone, "What is it? Is it because Sandra doesn''t want you anymore that you''re feeling lonely and desperate, so you remembered you still have a wife and came looking for her?"


    "But you should remember, your wife is about to divorce you. You''d be better off finding some other woman to lean on, because I''ve never relied on you, and I certainly don''t need you now."


    With that, Hannah and Samuel got in their car and drove off, leaving the idiot behind.


    Samuel nced in the rearview mirror and saw him still standing there, staring after them.


    "I''m not saying he''s crazy, but... he''s definitely got some issues. He just found out what happened, which means he knows you already sent the guy to the police and solved the problem. What''s the point of saying all that to you now?"


    Hannah stared out the window at the passing scenery. "He


    I''m still


    thinks still as na?ve as used to


    na probablet


    be. That even though I handled it, his words would move me to tears."


    Samuel was speechless. Damn, this guy really was sick.


    "Don''t waste your time thinking about him just because of what he said. Just ignore


    it. Let his words go in one ear and out the other."


    Seeing Samuel still stewing over it, looking angrier by the second, Hannah couldn''t help but chuckle. She used to be the exact same way.


    His every move, his every word, used to affect her so deeply.


    Butter, when she gradually stopped believing his words, stopped listening to them and refused to waste her thoughts on him, everything seemed to lose its power.


    Once you truly let go, nothing matters anymore. Even the person you once loved most just seems... ordinary.


    Samuel thought she had a point and nodded firmly. "You''re right. I''ve never met anyone like him. You''ve really suffered these past three years."


    Hannah gave a faint smile. "You don''t have to feel sorry for me. I brought this on myself. Everyone has to pay a price for their choices, and this was mine."


    She had paid with three years of her life, her best years and all of her emotions. It was a heavy price, and she had paid her debt in full From now on, whatever he said or did wouldn''t move her at all.


    Lionel watched the car disappear into the distance and let out a deep, heavy sigh.


    She was still angry, still hated him.