Chapter 2 Harassment

"You're insane, Hannah!"

In the shrill tone of Sadie, Hannah exited the study, not glancing back.

A text buzzed on her phone as soon as she stepped out.

It was from her bestie, Lydia Phillips. "Seriously, Hannah, you're skipping the Crimson Bar tonight? Marriage isn't a meditation retreat. You don't have to ditch your friends because of Declan, that jerk! Please! Heads up, Kris said he'll flood my phone with calls if you bail."

Hannah replied, "Lydia, you have a point."

Lydia said, "Wait, what?"

Hannah shared, "I'm no longer married. I'm rejoining the real world starting today."

Following a brief pause, the chat was flooded with exclamation marks. Hannah could practically feel Lydia's bubbling excitement.

"Ten minutes! Give me just ten minutes! I'll be at your doorstep to celebrate your glorious return!"

Even after the door to the study slammed shut, Sadie was still in disbelief. She unleashed her anger on Declan. "Are you really going to let that bitch walk all over me? Drag her back and give her what she deserves! I want to splash water in her face!"

"Stop it!" Declan snapped coldly. "Look at you. Where's your self-respect? You're a member of the Edwards family, not a thug!"

This was the first time Declan had ever rebuked Sadie in such a manner, leaving her stunned.

After watching Declan engrossed in his work, Sadie cautiously inquired, "Since I can't take that car, can I tag along with you to the welcome banquet tonight? It feels like ages since I saw Eliana, and I miss her."

Declan waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, just don't bother me."

Taking this as a silent yes, Sadie cheerfully exited the room.

In the now serene study, the computer screen's glow caught in Declan's vacant stare. Despite his efforts to focus, the vision of Hannah pouring water over Sadie's head kept haunting him.

He had a strange sense that he'd never really known his wife...

Lydia, ever prompt and decisive, had promised to be there in ten minutes but arrived in eight, stepping out of her Benz and whistling at Hannah.

"Here's to my best friend's freedom!"

Before Hannah could even respond, Lydia popped a bottle of champagne, and the frothy liquid drenched Hannah's outfit.

"No time to grab a party popper, so champagne will have to do. Hope you're cool with it!"

Hannah sighed, tossing her bag into the back seat. Then a car key appeared before her eyes. "Fancy driving this modified Benz? It's been four years since you were behind the wheel!"

Hannah swatted Lydia's hand aside and slid into the passenger seat. "Not feeling it."

Lydia laughed, stepping on the gas, her voice filled with mischief. "Alright, out with it. What brought you back from your lovesick daze?"

Resting her chin on one hand, Hannah seemed lost in a distant reverie, bidding farewell to the past years.

"Eliana's back."

Upon hearing Hannah's words, Lydia smirked and retorted, "You and Declan are a fascinating pair, equally stubborn. I sometimes wonder if you two should take a paternity test to see if you're related. What's with the fixation on collecting junk?"

Even as Lydia continued her tirade, Hannah's thoughts were elsewhere.

Hannah's recollection of Eliana was vague but impactful. Eliana was gentle, level-headed, and thoughtful. These traits composed Hannah's mental portrait of Eliana, an image she had spent four years trying to emulate.

She copied Eliana's straight black hair, her style of dress, and her kind words, all in a bid to keep Declan's attention.

But fakes would always remain fakes.

Yawning slightly, Hannah responded disinterestedly, "Perhaps because nobody falls for a woman with a prison record."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Oh, not that nonsense again. If your unhinged step-sister hadn't spread lies about you being in prison during your secluded training in Summerdell, do you think Declan would have dared act so boldly? Speaking of which, now that you're free and divorced, interested in the upcoming car race?"

"Pass."

Hannah reclined, hand supporting her neck. "I don't feel like going out."

Eyeing her skeptically, Lydia queried, "You haven't been dwelling on your heartache, have you?"

Hannah remained silent, but the sudden shift in her demeanor gave Lydia all the confirmation she needed.

Annoyed yet intrigued, Lydia's eyes sparkled. "Moonshadow will be there! Remember how he was the only racer who could hold his own against you? Don't you want to see the man behind the mask?"

The East Coast Racing circuit was an underground haven for high-stakes races, attracting a mix of wealthy thrill-seekers and privileged adrenaline junkies. Every driver brought a custom-modified car to the track, and the level of competition was so fierce that it could be life-endangering.

To maintain anonymity, race organizers mandated the wearing of masks. The only objective was to win or lose. No one cared who was behind the wheel. However, one exception existed. A racer could directly challenge another. Should the challenged party accept and lose, they would be unmasked then and there, effectively banishing them from the circuit.

With a spark in her eye, Hannah suddenly perked up. "Okay, let's go check it out."

Bending forward, she began to adjust her casual outfit. "But first, I need to change my clothes."

Lydia gave Hannah's outfit a once-over and smirked. "What, swapping one house dress for another? If you show up to a bar dressed like that, people will think I've abducted a housewife!"

Hannah quirked an eyebrow. "Who said anything about another house dress?"

About half an hour later, they walked into Crimson Bar.

Upstairs, a mixed crowd milled about, sat, and drank. Yet, everyone's attention seemed to gravitate toward the woman seated in a corner booth.

She was dressed in a vibrant red fringe dress, reminiscent of a seductive actress from a classic film.

"It's been ages since you've worn something so eye-catching!" Lydia couldn't help but exclaim. "You have such a stunning figure, yet you'd always wear dull office wear or simple dresses. It was as if you were perpetually clocked in at the Edwards family mansion."

Hannah just smiled softly without replying.

In her early married days, she had made the effort to look glamorous, only to be reprimanded by Declan's mother for being too flashy and for not embodying proper feminine virtues, and Declan had given his chilly approval.

But those days were behind her. Now, free from the Edwards family's restraints, she could dress as she wished.

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?"