Though the cafe fight was eventually broken up by people around them, and Hannah left with Ashton, it caused quite a stir.
The cafe fight became a hot topic on social media, especially since it coincided with the day of Sarah Young’s death, dragging Alden, Hannah, and Ashton into the news.
Hannah went straight to her room after Victoria told her to. Although she was concerned about Ashton’s injuries, Victoria insisted that Hannah stay in the room. She felt like she was being punished, and the guilt weighed heavily on her.
About an hour later, Victoria entered Hannah’s room, sighing as she sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at Hannah sadly.
“Are you okay, Hannah?” Victoria asked.
Hannah, her eyes swollen from crying, just shook her head. “No…”
“I talked to Ashton. He’s much calmer now.” Victoria gently stroked Hannah’s head. “He’s jealous and angry. Ashton isn’t angry with you, he’s furious with Alden.”
“If Ashton were upset with me, I would understand, Victoria.”
“We’ll work this out, okay? You should calm down and talk to Ashton later.”
As Victoria started to get up, Hannah grabbed her hand and stopped her.
“Do you think I should marry Ashton, Victoria?” Hannah asked.
“Why do you say that? Are you having second thoughts about marrying Ashton?”
“Seeing Alden and Ashton fight like that… I feel like I’m not good enough for either of them.”
“Hannah…”
“I don’t want them to fight because of me.” Hannah’s voice shook with despair. “I’m not someone worth fighting for.”
Victoria squeezed Hannah’s hand and smiled. “You are worth fighting for.”
“No, you’re wrong.”
When Alden said he still loved her, Hannah was devastated. And now she was in a relationship with Ashton, Alden’s younger brother. The thought of both brothers falling in love with the same woman was terrifying.
“I’m going to leave all of your lives,” Hannah decided.
“Why are you talking nonsense now?”
“I don’t want to cause a rift between Alden and Ashton. Family is the most important thing, and I’m nobody in the lives of Alden, Ashton, or you.”
“Hannah, just focus on your wedding, okay?”
“I can’t marry Ashton while he’s picking a fight with his own brother.”
Victoria cupped Hannah’s face, her eyes wide with intensity. “I already told you, I need you to focus. Is that too much to ask?”
Suddenly, Hannah snapped out of her whirlwind of thoughts and nodded weakly.
“When you feel a little better, go see Ashton. He’s in my room with Henry,” Victoria said.
Then she got up and headed for the door.
“Where are you going, Victoria?” Hannah asked, confused.
“I need to take a walk. I’m feeling a bit smothered. I won’t be long.”
After Victoria left, Hannah sat on the bed, her thoughts swirling. Her emotions were all over the place and she didn’t even know who had her heart anymore.
When Alden confessed his feelings, it brought back memories of their past together. They had shared beautiful, sweet moments, despite the hardships. Could she just give that up?
On the other hand, Ashton had been by her side during difficult times. Whenever she needed support, he was always there. What more could she ask for when Ashton was the perfect partner?
The door creaked open and there was Ashton, standing on the threshold. His face was somber, with bruises around the corner of his eye and on his lip that made Hannah’s heart ache even more. He had fought for her, as had Alden.
“Are you still mad at me?” Ashton asked.
Suddenly, Hannah remembered yelling at him during the fight to stop hitting his brother. She hadn’t meant to be angry; she had just been panicking.
“I’m not angry,” Hannah replied.
Ashton entered the room and closed the door quietly. He walked cautiously over to her, his tired eyes meeting hers as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“I went too far,” Ashton whispered. “I was so upset because Alden tried to take Henry away from me.”
“Darling…'”
“And I’m afraid he’s going to take you, too.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around Ashton from behind, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of his musk.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Hannah said.
“Can I ask you something?” Ashton asked suddenly.
Hannah looked up at him and nodded.
“Do you still have feelings for your ex-husband?”
Hannah blinked. “What kind of question is that?”
“Just answer me,” Ashton sighed. “Isn’t it fair for me to ask? I need to make sure we made the right choice.”
Hannah moved from behind him to sit next to him. She was silent for a moment, not because she was searching for the right words to comfort him, but because she wanted to be honest with herself.
“I think I still have feelings, though I don’t know how strong they are,” Hannah said clearly.
Ashton nodded weakly.
“You can’t just get rid of such feelings for someone. Even when the feelings fade, the memories remain. Alden has a place in my life; he’s a good man, despite the problems we’ve had.”
“And?”
“If I wanted to go back to him, I could. But I’m thinking about us.”
“Wait, so you’re holding back from going back to him because of me? Because of our relationship?”
Hannah shook her head. “I’m just weighing things.
Is it worth it to go back to Alden if I’m building a future with you?”
“Why shouldn’t you think about going back to him? You already know who he is.”
Hannah smiled slightly. “I’ll consider it. Especially when you’re offering me the chance to go back to him so freely.”
Ashton gasped. “No! No! I just wanted to look tough in your eyes. Honestly, I’d cry right now if you left me, Hannah.”
Hannah put her arms around Ashton’s neck.
He’s so funny, she thought. Ashton had always been cheerful, able to make her laugh whenever she needed it.
He went out of his way to make her feel loved.
Was it really worth going back to Alden?
“Where’s Henry? Victoria said he was with you in your room,” Hannah asked.
“He went to sleep. Maria is watching him.”
Hannah moved closer to Ashton, forcing him to look directly into her eyes. Impulsively, she kissed him deeply and they melted into each other for several minutes.
“What are you doing?” Ashton whispered. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“I was just trying to make you feel better.”
Ashton sighed. “I won’t hold back if you keep inviting me like this.”