Chapter 789

Hannah Grant stiffened slightly, her gaze darting away, forcing a smile to brush off the awkwardness. "Well, he was gonna get married someday. He's no spring chicken—if he doesn't settle down, what's he gonna do? Die single?" It was obvious something was off with her, but she kept trying to act like she didn't care. "Whatever he does... doesn't concern me anymore." "I just want you to be happy," Joseph Hardy said softly. Hannah gave a pale smile. "I am happy, aren't I? The sea's just a few steps away. I've got flowers, my little garden, all the stuff I love... life's good." "That's what matters." Joseph nodded. "But don't go down that same road again, Hannah. You deserve to be free, not stuck with someone like Julian." Guys like Julian... they're like cages. Fancy ones, sure. But cages all the same. Hannah nodded slowly. She wasn't going to repeat her mistakes. … At Julian's place. He had a splitting headache—it'd been a long night of drinks and business talk. After a shower, he floppe