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Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Hannah had thought she just needed to quietly survive these final days before she could escape this
marriage and start fresh. Instead, she found herself with both Kaden and Phoebe hospitalized,
running herself ragged caring for them both.
For days, she shuttled between hospital rooms while Phoebe made everything as difficult as
possible–complaining the porridge Hannah brought was “inedible” before deliberately spilling the
scalding liquid on her hand, or texting at 2 AM demanding specific desserts from bakeries across
town.
Hannah knew exactly what Phoebe was doing–purposely torturing her–but with just days left in
their marriage, she decided to endure it rather than create more drama during these final moments.
Kaden noticed her patience wearing thin. “You’ve been amazing through all this,” he said, watching
her adjust his IV. “I want to make it up to you. What would you like?”
“Nothing, really,” Hannah replied, avoiding his eyes. “It’s fine.”
But Kaden seemed determined to pursue this. Once he could walk without assistance, he arranged
for a nurse to watch Phoebe and surprised Hannah by taking her out for the day.
He brought her to the amusement park they’d never visited in their five years of marriage. He
bought her cotton candy, rode the Ferris wheel beside her, and even insisted on taking photos of her
on the carousel–grinning like a tourist as he directed her poses.
Dinner followed–a genuine date with candles, wine, and authentic conversation. He ticked off every
romantic comedy cliché with unexpected enthusiasm.
Hannah wanted to tell him this wasn’t necessary–that she didn’t need this performance–but seeing
how genuinely invested he seemed, she kept quiet.
When they returned to the hospital, Phoebe was waiting at the entrance, her face dark with fury.
“So you two went on a little date?” she hissed, her eyes fixed on Hannah.
Before Hannah could respond, Phoebe’s voice rose several octaves. “Don’t think this means anything! Don’t think for a second he actually cares about you. He’s just feeling guilty. In his heart, I’ll always be first–always! You’re nothing compared to me. Nothing!”
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The Forgotten Love Contract: When Regret Comes Too Late
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Cheyes*
Hannah opened her mouth to say she already knew that, when Phoebe suddenly pressed a chloroform–soaked cloth against her face. The world spun, then went black.
When Hannah regained consciousness, she was dangling from a rope at the edge of a cliff.
Fierce ocean winds whipped around her as waves crashed against the rocks below. The coarse rope cut into her wrists, her feet suspended over the churning water.
Beside her, also hanging by a rope, was Phoebe–looking far too pleased with herself.
“I hired guys to fake a kidnapping,” she explained with a smirk. “When Kaden arrives, he’ll have to choose which one of us to save. Care to guess who he’ll pick?”
Hannah stared at her with exhaustion. “You. Obviously.“.
“At least you’re not delusional,” Phoebe sneered.
Hannah felt nothing but pity. What twisted part of Phoebe needed this theatrical validation? And
what did Kaden see in this deeply damaged woman?
Right on cue, a car screeched to a halt above them. Kaden appeared at the cliff edge, face ashen with
panic,
He tossed a duffel bag stuffed with cash toward the masked figure standing nearby. “I brought what you asked for. Now let them go!”
The kidnapper kicked the bag aside. “That’s not how this works. You get to save one. Choose.”
“I’m taking both of them!” Kaden shouted, desperation edging his voice.
The man pulled out a knife. “Choose one, or I cut both ropes. Clock’s ticking.“–
Kaden’s eyes darted frantically between Hannah and Phoebe. For the first time since she’d known him, he looked completely lost. The knife moved toward the ropes.
“Save Phoebe!” he finally shouted.
His eyes met Hannah’s, filled with anguish. “She just had major surgery. Her body can’t take-”
“It’s okay,” Hannah interrupted, her voice oddly calm. “Even if she were perfectly healthy, you’d still
choose her.”
Law Contract When Regret Comes Too Late
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Chapter 8
Something in Kaden’s expression cracked at her words.
Before he could respond, the kidnapper sliced through Hannah’s rope. She plummeted into the freezing water below, the ocean swallowing her whole.
“HANNAH!” Kaden’s scream was the last thing she heard.
***
Hannah woke again in a hospital bed, her wrists heavily bandaged, her skin nearly translucent from
blood loss and shock.
Kaden sat beside her, his eyes hollow with exhaustion and guilt.
“I investigated everything,” he said quietly. “It was Phoebe behind this kidnapping stunt. This is the last time–I swear to you it won’t happen again.”
He leaned forward. “I’ll give you anything–anything at all to make this right. And don’t say ‘nothing‘
this time.”
Hannah looked at him, her gaze empty and still. “Then go be with Phoebe. She’s probably terrified after everything that happened.”
Kaden’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s what you want? For me to go to her?”
Hannah nodded mechanically. “Yes. If you spend more time with her, maybe she’ll stop obsessing
over me.”
Something seemed to catch in Kaden’s throat. After a long pause, he managed, “Alright. I’ll check on her, then come back to you.”
He carefully tucked the blanket around her before leaving the room.
Hannah watched his retreating back, a sad smile crossing her face.
Don’t bother coming back. I won’t be here.
The moment Kaden was gone, Hannah pulled out her IV over the nurse’s protests and checked herself out of the hospital.
Her flight was at 11:00 PM. She had just two hours to tie up every loose end of her life here.
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Chapter 8
She raced to the county clerk’s office, collected their finalized divorce papers, then returned to the house one last time. She arranged everything neatly on the coffee table where he couldn’t miss it–divorce certificate, signed agreement, and her wedding ring.
With her packed bags in hand, she took one final look at the house that had been her home for five
years.
“Goodbye, Kaden,” she whispered, closing the door behind her.
The five–year contract was officially over.
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