As they were talking, Lydia’s phone buzzed. Her expression shifted immediately. She held up her phone towards Hannah.
“I need to take this. I’ll step outside.”
No sooner had Lydia left than Hannah began to dab at a wine stain on the back of her hand. Suddenly, a sleazy hand clamped onto her shoulder.
“Hey gorgeous, find yourself alone? Mind if we join you?”
When Declan and Sadie stepped into Crimson Bar, Eliana and her small circle of friends had already settled into a booth for some time.
“Eliana, I’ve missed you like crazy!”
In a theatrical display, Sadie wrapped her arms around Eliana, clinging to her and putting on a cutesy act.
Gently patting Sadie’s head, Eliana said softly, “Why do you still behave like you’re five?”
Her eyes then shifted to the stern-faced man sitting opposite her, adding meaningfully, “Yet, it’s only you, my little sweetheart, who seems to think of me.”
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Almost snapping to attention, Sadie elaborated, “Are you kidding? My brother’s been missing you. The moment he heard you were coming back, he kicked his wife to the curb!”
The moment she closed her mouth, the booth erupted in whoops and hollers, and Eliana couldn’t suppress her grin.
The woman who had occupied Declan’s thoughts day and night was now seated before him, locking eyes with him warmly. Yet, a peculiar unease gnawed at his heart.
Just as he was about to speak, one of his friends blurted out a curse.
“Damn! Declan, isn’t that your wife?”
Turning his head around, Declan’s eyes met Hannah, radiant in her cascading wavy hair, captivating makeup, and a striking red dress that flattered her slender waist and showcased her endless, perfect legs. Even at a distance, she was undeniably stunning.
Currently, she was encircled by an overweight, overdressed man and a troupe of sleazy youths, all clearly making her uneasy.
“Hey, isn’t that Carlos? The notorious playboy of the Black family?
If Hannah ends up with him, she’s done for!”
“Maybe she’s into it. I mean, what kind of decent woman dresses Like that and comes to a bar? She’s fishing for guys, for sure!”
“Man, I never thought Declan’s wife would be so hot. She always looked like a librarian. Who knew she had curves?”
Jumping in, Sadie added, “Look at her. She’s definitely here to reel in some men. My brother left her. Who’d want her if she didn’t pull some tricks?”
The crude joke sent their friends into peals of laughter. The inexplicable irritation surging within Declan erupted.
“Shut up!”
His outburst immediately brought the room to silence.