Chapter 14
The color drained from Phoebe’s face, her expression crumbling like she’d been physically struck “Kaden, please,” she begged, her voice breaking, “I’ve changed–I’m not afraid anymore. I won’t throw tantrums. I’ll put in the effort. I’ll learn how to love you properly. Just give me one more
chance.”
Kaden looked at her with a finality that left no room for hope. “It’s too late, Phoebe. I’ve fallen in love
with Hannah.”
Tears spilled down Phoebe’s cheeks. “What’s so special about her?” she demanded, her voice rising with desperation. “She was just a placeholder–a contract wife! What makes her deserve you?”
Hannah’s face filled Kaden’s mind–those calm, steady eyes, that gentle smile that rarely asked for
anything.
“She deserves everything,” he said quietly but firmly. “She’s respectful, kind, resilient. She never creates drama. She bears everything silently without complaint. She carries love for someone else in her heart, yet never uses that to hurt anyone. With her, I feel… safe. Like I could actually be loved for
who I am.”
He paused, then continued. “Love doesn’t always make sense, Phoebe. From now on, you’re just my
sister. Nothing more.”
Turning to Matt, he said, “Book me on the next flight to California. Today if possible.”
Phoebe’s sobbing intensified behind him. “Kaden, don’t go! Please! Don’t leave me!”
His steps faltered briefly, but he didn’t look back.
“Take care of yourself, Phoebe,” he said softly, then walked out, leaving her collapsed on the floor, her wails echoing through the office.
Meanwhile, in a sunlit living room in California, Hannah sat on the couch, mechanically drinking glass after glass of water. Her gaze was unfocused, lost in thought, not even noticing when her glass emptied.
Tamia Lively finally grabbed the glass from her hand. “Are you trying to drown yourself from the inside? You’re the one doing the hiring here, not the other way around. Why are you so nervous?”
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Hannah blinked, looking down. “I don’t know why I’m so anxious.”
She’d been in California for a week now. She’d come all this way to meet the college student who looked so much like Chace, yet somehow she’d been putting off the actual meeting. She wasn’t sure what scared her more–that he would look too much like Chace and overwhelm her, or that he wouldn’t look enough like him and crush her hopes.
The doorbell rang.
Tamia strode to the entrance, and when she opened the door, her eyes widened slightly.
The young man standing there wore a simple white button–down and black pants that accentuated his tall, lean frame. His features were so perfectly sculpted they seemed almost unreal–like a Renaissance painting come to life. His eyes held a certain coolness, yet somehow radiated gentleness. With his fair complexion, defined jawline, and subtle presence, he looked like he’d stepped out of a high–fashion editorial.
Even though this was the second time Tamia had seen him, she couldn’t help but be struck by just how stunning he was.
“Come in,” she said, stepping aside with a smile.
He nodded politely and walked into the living room with quiet, careful steps.
Hannah heard him enter and looked up. The moment her eyes landed on his face, she froze.
The resemblance was uncanny. His face was nearly identical to Chace’s.
Especially those eyes–deep and gentle, as if they could see straight into her soul. Tears welled up and spilled down Hannah’s cheeks before she could stop them.
“Whoa, are you okay?” Tamia asked. “Did his face break you or something?”
Hannah snapped back to reality, hastily wiping away her tears. To cover her emotional reaction, she grabbed a form from the coffee table, pretending this was a formal interview. “Please, sit down,” she said, trying to sound composed. “Let’s talk.”
He nodded and settled on the couch across from her.
Hannah stared at the form, adopting an unnecessarily formal tone. “Age?”
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“Twenty–two,” he answered, his voice deep and clear like mountain spring water.
“Gender?”
“…Male.” A hint of confusion crossed his face at the obvious question.
“Occupation?”
“College student. Computer science major.”
“Academic standing?”
“Top of my class.”
“Hobbies?”
“Programming, basketball, and…” he paused, his gaze resting on Hannah’s face, “writing letters.”
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