Chapter 6 Return

Clutching a glass of water, Allison appeared to be in a state of disbelief.

"Are you for real, Hannah? There's no turning back..."

Hannah offered a faint smile and nodded, an air of detachment about her, as if the past no longer weighed on her.

The living room was enveloped in quiet. Finally, Allison shattered the silence. "We're to blame. I will respect your decision."

Sensing the conversation had reached a tipping point, Hannah felt it was time to make her exit. She rose and said her goodbyes to Allison.

Casting a fleeting look at Declan, who had been silent throughout, Allison felt a sudden wave of irritation. However, she masked it with a warm smile and softly patted Hannah's hand. "Please, make sure you come to visit me. We can catch up, and you know how much I adore your cooking."

Hannah smiled back but said nothing, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.

Dinner at the Edwards household was equally strained. Despite Eliana's best efforts to engage her, Allison barely acknowledged her presence. Eventually, Allison had enough of Eliana's overly attentive manner towards Declan, and she slammed her fork down, her expression turning sour.

"Declan, meet me in the study!"

Leah interjected instinctively, "Allison, Declan hasn't even finished his dinner..."

"Missing one meal won't kill him, will it?"

Leah went mute, and Allison shot Declan a stern look before ascending the staircase alone.

Declan's grip on his fork tightened.

"Declan, you should go comfort Allison. She seems quite fond of Miss Moore. Seeing her leave so casually must have hurt. You're her cherished grandson; she'll want to talk to you," Eliana suggested, gently touching Declan's hand.

Touched by her words, Declan said, "Eliana, you're so perceptive. Once Grandma gets to know you better, I'm sure she'll warm up to you."

Eliana smiled softly, "No worries. We have all the time in the world."

After consoling Eliana, Declan proceeded to the study upstairs. Upon entering, he found Allison fidgeting with a familiar bead bracelet.

He sighed, a note of resignation in his voice. "Grandma, Eliana is my choice for a life partner. The Patel family has been friends with us for years. If you have reservations, couldn't you discuss them with me privately? Why humiliate her?"

"Defending her already, even before marriage? Where was this concern for Hannah?" Allison retorted, lifting the beaded bracelet. "Remember this?"

Declan's brow furrowed as he searched his memory, then shook his head.

Allison exhaled sharply in vexation. "You remember every detail about Eliana, but forget what concerns your own wife. Hannah gave me this bracelet the year you married. For a decade, I've had trouble sleeping. Despite countless medical consultations, nothing helped until Hannah found this blessed bracelet for me. And let's not forget, last month she burned herself with fireworks while prepping your sister's birthday party. That scar on her waist? Does that ring any bells?"

Declan clenched his jaw, his eyes clouding over. "Whatever she's lost, I'll make it up to her, twofold..."

"Can you actually make it up to them?" Allison exhaled deeply, staring at her normally level-headed grandson who never ceased to perplex her on this issue.

"Do you honestly not understand why Hannah agreed to become a part of our family? It's one thing to deceive others, but can you truly deceive yourself?"

Declan's fists tightened involuntarily, his eyes growing darker.

"You secured the venue, sent out engagement invitations, and had an engagement party planned. Then your intended bride took off! If Hannah hadn't stepped in to salvage the situation, we'd be the town's biggest joke!" Allison scoffed. "And you wonder why I don't welcome Eliana with open arms? She bailed and created this fiasco for us, and now she expects a warm welcome as if nothing happened? Absurd!"

She glanced at Declan. "You need to do some serious soul-searching."

Motionless, Declan remained in Allison's study, strands of his hair casting shadows over his contemplative face.

That night, Hannah slept soundly, blissfully unaware of Allison and Declan's discussion. After finally breaking free from Declan, she had enjoyed a rare restful night. Lydia was the one who woke her up the next morning.

She eased her mildly fatigued eyes and savored a bite of toast coated in blueberry jam, all while using one hand to send messages.

"Mr. Edwards, are you free this morning? If so, meet me at the courthouse at 10 a.m."

Declan's reply arrived unexpectedly quick, startling Hannah. She knew this was usually his meeting time at Edwards Group, and he was typically unreachable.

"No. I have commitments."

"What about 3 p.m.? Or even 4? Just not past 6, as they close then."

"We'll discuss it later. I've got a lot on my plate right now."

After that, silence. Declan never responded again.

Hannah frowned at her phone, puzzled. Hadn't Declan been desperate to marry Eliana? Why did it feel like she was the one pushing him now?

Lydia poured a glass of milk for Hannah, then furrowed her brow in thought. "Oh, I almost forgot, a few days ago, Mr. Campbell asked if you'd be interested in resuming your old job. And if you are not inclined to, he hoped you could mentor at Starrywinter University. He even offered to be your assistant."

Taking a sip of milk, Hannah shook her head as she wiped her lips. "Having a senior citizen as my assistant? That's just not going to work."

"So, should I tell him that?"

Pausing to wipe her mouth again, Hannah pondered, "Tell him I'm not inclined to reclaim my old position for the time being. It's been ages since I've used a scalpel. My hands might be a bit shaky. Being a mentor sounds plausible. But can I sit in on other people's classes? I've been out of the loop for so long. Who knows how many research papers Mr. Campbell and the others have published by now?"

Lydia rolled her eyes playfully. "Seriously, even if you took a break for decades, you'd still outperform most."