Chapter 23
With the promotional tour for her latest film finally over, Hannah had some rare downtime. She’d just finished a casual photoshoot for her Twitter feed. This update ıs available on
Back in the company car, she checked her phone. There were several messages, but not one was from Theobald. He had just left last night without a word of explanation. She was furious and had refused to text him first, waiting for him to apologize.
But there was nothing. It was as if he’d vanished off the face of the earth.
What is going on? It felt like his attention was no longer on her. What had he been so busy with these past few days? As the CEO of a major corporation, she knew he was busy, but he used to send her a dozen messages a day, no matter what. If she ever needed anything, he’d be there in a heartbeat.
Hannah’s delicate fingers tightened around her phone. She took a deep breath and opened her chat with him.
She typed: [Theo, are you free tonight? My treat p>
It was the first time she’d ever asked him out. He would definitely say yes.
Just then, a notification popped up. It was from Joshua.
[Babe, dinner tonight? I booked your favorite restaurant p>
A smirk played on Hannah’s lips, but she had no intention of replying. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. She was still mad.
A familiar ringtone chimed.
Theobald, who had just parked his car, glanced at his phone. His brow furrowed.
He typed back: [Can’t tonight. I’m having dinner with my sister p>
Hannah replied almost instantly: [Oh, that’s no problem! I can treat you and Marguerite both p>
Theobald looked over at Marguerite getting out of the passenger seat. He hesitated, wondering if he should invite Hannah to join them. Marguerite seemed to have the wrong idea about Hannah. If she just spent a little time with her, she’d see what a wonderful person she was.
They were in the underground parking garage of a large, high-end shopping mall. Just as Theobald was about to speak, he saw Marguerite staring up at a billboard. The man on it was handsome, with slicked-back hair and a cheesy, roguish grin, one hand tucked in his pocket.
Theobald’s heart sank.
Isn’t that Joshua?
He was the face of this clothing brand, and his ads were plastered all over the garage Theobald watched as Marguente’s brow tightened, her expression darkening. He
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subconsciously fiddled with the rosary beads on his right wrist. Cóntent
Forget it, he thought. Marguerite just got her heart broken. Bringing Hannah along would only pour salt on the wound Besides, Hannah and Joshua had been part of a
PR-manufactured “couple,” and even if it was fake, the association was still there.
Without saying anything to Marguerite, he lowered his head and typed on his phone: [Let’s not. I’ll treat you next time p>
When Hannah received the message, her face cycled through a kaleidoscope of emotions. Theobald had actually turned down her invitation!
She gritted her teeth. Is it really about his sister? What’s so special about this Marguerite that I can’t meet her?
Suddenly, she had a burning desire to meet this Marguerite in person.
“Sis, the restaurant’s this way. Elevator’s over there.” Theobald gently tugged Marguerite’s arm, pulling her attention away from the billboard.
Marguerite’s gaze shifted. “Okay p>
Eleven years had certainly changed Joshua. He’d gotten so greasy, and it looked like his hairline was starting to retreat. God, she was starting tổ regretever agreeing to date him She never even got to enjoy a single day of the relationship, and now it felt like she had a criminal record.
Sitting in the barbecue place, Marguerite’s mood was still low. Besides my brother, she thought, no one else should remember that, right?
Theobald, his own expression grim, focused on grilling the meat for her. She’s obviously still hung up on Joshua.
To distract her, he asked, “So, did you ask Mr. Spencer about his preferences p>
That was Maggie for you. He could probably count on one hand the number of people in all of Northpine who would dare to ask George that directly.