Chapter 4 To Start Over

The following day, Hannah remained at the courthouse until it was almost closing time, yet Ethan never came.

Without wasting a moment, she reached out to her lawyer, who immediately drew up the divorce papers. As her gaze settled on the empty line for the signature, a sense of disorientation swept through her mind.

However, she did not waver. Taking in a steady breath, she forced down the tremor rising in her chest and carefully wrote her name with deliberate precision.

When everything was finally completed, she dragged her worn-out body back to her apartment. She had only been released from the hospital not long ago, yet she had pushed herself far beyond her endurance, and now her body had reached its breaking point.

Her awareness slowly grew hazy.

All at once, the shrill sound of the phone broke the silence. Forcing her arm upward, Hannah managed to answer the call, but before a word could leave her lips, a wave of dizziness swept over her, and everything went black.

The device slipped from her grasp and hit the floor with a dull thud.

"Hannah!" A voice, thick with alarm, echoed from the other end of the line.

When consciousness returned, Hannah found herself lying in a hospital room. She turned her head slightly and saw her friend, Haley Blake, seated beside the bed.

The moment Haley noticed her eyes open, worry flashed across her face. "Hannah, what happened to you? The doctor said you just came out of surgery and need proper rest. Thank goodness I had that tracking app on my phone. If I hadn't been able to find you in time, the outcome could have been awful."

"Thank you," Hannah said softly, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Haley puffed her cheeks in displeasure. "Don't thank me. Just tell me why you were there all alone. Where's that jerk Ethan? He's not even looking after you!"

Hannah's lips grew tense at the remark, the slightest stiffness appearing on her face.

Her voice remained steady as she replied, "Ethan and I are getting a divorce."

"What?"

Haley froze for a moment before blurting out in shock, "That jerk actually has the nerve to ask for a divorce? You've been the perfect wife, doing everything for him, and now he's out there fooling around with other women, and even has a child?"

All these years, Haley had seen how deeply Hannah loved him. The thought of it made her chest tighten with pain. Now there were rumors swirling about Ethan, and on top of that, he wanted a divorce. Hannah's heart must have shattered beyond repair.

Hannah's eyes dimmed as she asked quietly, "You already know?"

Haley gave a small nod, her tone filled with sympathy. "It's been all over the news these past few days. Photos of the two of them are everywhere, but Ethan has kept that woman well hidden. No one has seen her face."

Hannah's expression turned impossible to read, every trace of feeling concealed.

Haley hesitated before speaking again. "Is he asking for a divorce because he's planning to marry her?"

Hannah's voice remained calm, carrying not a hint of emotion. "I was the one who suggested the divorce."

"Really?" Haley's eyes widened in shock, but when she saw the unwavering seriousness in Hannah's expression, she broke into laughter. "That's perfect! That man never deserved your loyalty. Now you can finally focus on your career and start earning for yourself. Jerred has been waiting for you to step in and lead at Nexus Future."

A faint smile curved Hannah's lips.

Nexus Future was the pioneering tech company established by her friend from college, Jerred Barton. She had once planned to join the team and contribute to the development of advanced household robots. However, she had walked away from that ambition when she chose marriage instead.

For the past three years, she had lacked the courage to reach out to Jerred.

But now, with her marriage about to end, she had the chance to start over. She could take back what she had lost and once again chase the dream she had abandoned.

Hannah let out a bitter laugh. "Jerred must be furious with me. Do you really think he would let me come back? Even if he agrees, I don't have the courage to face him."

Haley reached over and pinched her cheek. "If you know you made a mistake, then go and apologize properly. I'm certain if you return to Nexus Future, Jerred will be more than happy."

Hannah gave a small nod. "I'll give it a try."

Haley's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned closer and winked. "Hannah, once the divorce is final, why not think about Rhett again? I can tell he still hasn't let you go."

As soon as she heard those words, Hannah's complexion grew pale.

Haley, brimming with excitement, failed to notice the sudden change in her expression. "I just spoke to him on the phone, and he said he'll be coming to see you soon. He clearly still cares about you."

Hannah's breath faltered as her mind began to whirl.

The image of what had transpired with Rhett at the hospital room door remained etched in her memory. He had shown no concern for her then, so why would he suddenly care now?

Haley shifted her gaze toward the door and spoke under her breath. "I called him three hours ago. Why hasn't Rhett arrived yet? Could it be that your stepfather has kept him from coming again?"

Hannah murmured in a low voice, "He's not coming."

Haley didn't hear her clearly and asked, "What?"

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the hospital room door.

Haley walked over with delight, saying, "It must be Rhett. I'll open the door."

Hannah instinctively tightened her fists, a wave of nervousness washing over her.

Could he truly be here?