Ashton opened the door to Hannah’s office and gave her a reassuring smile. Hannah, who was sitting at her laptop, immediately stood up, her face filled with worry. She quickly walked over to Ashton and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
“I was worried,” she whispered.
“No blood was spilled.” Ashton chuckled. “It’s all taken care of with Alden Harrison.”
“Really?”
Hannah looked at Ashton, half in disbelief. She knew how stubborn and occasionally temperamental Alden could be, though he rarely showed it.
“He’s agreed to sign the adoption papers for Henry,” Ashton said.
“That easy?”
“Yes, as simple as that.”
As they moved to sit on the couch together, Ashton said, “He mentioned that you can’t have children… Isn’t that weird? Or maybe he’s just trying to avoid responsibility for Henry?”
“He what?”
“Never mind. As long as Henry is with us, we don’t have to worry about Alden Harrison interfering with our family again.”
“Wait… So Alden thinks I had a child with someone else?” Hannah’s shock was obvious.
“Look, Hannah, I don’t know why he thinks that, but is it really worth dwelling on?”
“I didn’t have Henry with anyone else, Ashton.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Ashton cupped Hannah’s chin gently. “I don’t need proof of anything. Henry has been my son since the day he was born. Isn’t that enough?”
“I just…”
“Do you still feel the need to prove something to Alden?”
Hannah shook her head. “I just don’t want to be seen as… cheap. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” Ashton said, nodding. “And I don’t see you that way at all. You’re everything to me-my queen, my goddess, my everything…”
Hannah couldn’t help but giggle. “You’re such a smooth talker, aren’t you?”
“Only to you.”
Ashton began to kiss Hannah’s neck, their intimacy deepening as their lips met. Hannah’s heart raced, but she gently pushed Ashton away.
“Okay, that’s enough,” she said breathlessly.
“We haven’t even started yet,” Ashton teased.
“Ashton, we promised we’d wait until we were married.”
Though they’d shared a bed many times, nothing had happened between them beyond cuddles and kisses. Hannah deeply appreciated Ashton’s devotion.
“I know.” Ashton pinched her nose playfully. “That’s why I can’t wait to marry you.”
Hannah was silent for a moment.
“What’s wrong?” Ashton asked, noticing her sudden change.
“Do you think we should just get married quickly, Ashton?” she asked.
“Well, if it’s up to me, I’m ready to marry you today.”
“Seriously?”
“I’m serious.”
Hannah felt uncomfortable. Alden’s presence still haunted her, and she wondered if marrying Ashton soon would give her the peace of mind she so desperately wanted. But she also didn’t want to feel like she was using Ashton as a way to escape her past.
Still, with Alden out of the picture, there was no more weight on her shoulders. Alden had refused to acknowledge Henry, and once he signed the adoption papers, Henry would officially be her son. No more ties, no more complications.
“Ashton? I’ve been thinking. What if we go with your mother’s suggestion and get married at the end of the month?”
“This month?” Ashton looked surprised.
“Yes, what do you think?”
*
“I’m so happy you two are getting married,” Victoria whispered.
Hannah smiled and held her future mother-in-law’s hand. After telling Victoria about their wedding plans, everything seemed to fall into place.
The next morning, Hannah, Ashton, and Victoria went to the courthouse to register their marriage. Victoria insisted on joining them, excited about her son’s upcoming wedding.
“Mom, we could have done this ourselves,” Ashton said.
“You two are so busy. Why not let me do it? Now you’ve had to take time off work just to come here,” Victoria countered.
As Hannah’s number was called, Victoria suddenly stood up, grabbed the paperwork she had been holding, and led Hannah to the counter. Hannah was a little confused by Victoria’s behavior, but she didn’t say anything.
Victoria handed over Ashton’s papers, and Hannah handed over hers.
“Ashton never handles things like this,” Victoria whispered.
“Oh? Why not?”
“Because he doesn’t know he’s adopted,” Victoria said quietly, putting her finger to her lips. “Please don’t say anything. There will come a time when I will tell Ashton.”
Hannah was stunned by Victoria’s confession. To find out here, at the courthouse, of all places, was beyond shocking.
It made sense now why Ashton had once said his mother was overbearing, why he often felt suffocated by her decisions. Victoria had been keeping secrets from him, shaping his life without his knowledge.
“I want to talk to you privately after this, okay?” Victoria asked.
“Okay,” Hannah agreed.
After registering, Hannah and Victoria walked back to where Ashton was waiting. He was still sulking, upset that he hadn’t been involved in the process, his pride a little wounded.
“Hannah and I have some errands to run. Why don’t you go to the hospital first?” Victoria suggested.
“Where are you two going?” Ashton asked, still sulking.
“Wedding dress shopping,” Victoria replied dismissively.
Ashton’s eyes widened. “No way, trying on wedding dresses without me? I won’t let Mom be the first to see her in it. That’s not fair!”
“Oh, fine. We’ll just go for coffee,” Victoria relented.
Ashton chuckled and nodded in agreement.
As they left the registry office, they were met with a surprise. Standing in the doorway was Alden.
Hannah and Victoria both froze in obvious shock.
“What a pleasant surprise, Mr. Harrison,” Ashton greeted them cheerfully.
“Oh, hi.” Alden nodded politely.
Quickly, Ashton wrapped an arm around Hannah’s waist and took Victoria’s arm, pulling her away. But Alden’s gaze lingered on Victoria, scrutinizing her.
“Excuse me, but have we met before?” Alden asked Victoria.
Victoria quickly shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no.”
“Victoria,” Alden said suddenly.