“Man, we’ve been trying to get you out forever, and you finally show up. Is it because you’re hiding your stunning new bride from us?”
Laughter and teasing aimed at Declan filled the air.
Eliana blushed a little, tucking a loose curl behind her ear as she grasped Declan’s arm.
“Declan’s been swamped with work lately.”
“Wow, Declan, you lucked out with such an understanding wife!”
Sitting close by, Sadie beamed with pride.
“Of course he did!
Eliana’s way ahead of Hannah in education and social standing, not to mention how gorgeous she is! Hannah, who didn’t even finish college and has a criminal past, can’t compare to Eliana.”
Feeling the tension as Sadie disparaged Hannah, Declan’s brow knitted subtly.
Noticing his discomfort, Eliana interjected softly, “Sadie, that’s not fair. Hannah has been a great help to Declan for many years. I owe her my thanks.”
“You sure about that?” Sadie’s face twisted further in disdain at Eliana’s words.
“What else could she possibly do besides keep house?
She’s been living off our family for years. If anything, she should be thanking us!”
“Is that so?” One of Declan’s friends, sitting next to him, scratched his head in confusion.
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“I recall Hannah being quite the support for Declan back in the day.”
Declan’s frown deepened.
“What are you talking about?”
“Remember that time when Eliana left the country and you were a mess?”
Taken aback, Declan could vaguely recall his emotional turmoil when Eliana left, though the details were hazy.
“During that time, you were estranged from your family because of your issues with Eliana. You were even on the brink of losing your executive position.”
The fog slowly lifted from Declan’s mind.
“I remember now,” he said, his voice deepening.
“Back then, it was Hannah who knelt before your grandmother for three days straight, pleading on your behalf. Only after Hannah had secured major contracts for your company did your grandma let you stay on.
You didn’t know this?”