Chapter 405
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“ Aria ! ” Hannah’s voice cracked as she cried out , desperate and losing it .
She lunged forward , but Dexter caught her by the back of her shirt , holding her in place . “ What are you doing ? ”
Hannah couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face .
With the theft charge hanging over her , there was no way out . Who else could possibly help her ? Who was left ?
Out of the corner of her eye , she spotted someone in the crowd . Hannah froze , her mouth open , letting her tears fall freely . “ Liam … ”
Liam’s wrist was still in Diego’s grip . He hadn’t expected to see Hannah here , or Aria .
Diego , who’d just arrived in town for a six – month exchange at
they’d become partners in crime again .
Aeffner Hospital , had been Liam’s war buddy , and as soon as Liam started at Heffner ,
The hospital was just nearby , and they’d come out for lunch when they heard the commotion and Hannah’s shrill cry . Curious , Diego had dragged Liam along to check out the scene .
Liam stood rooted to the spot , floored to run into both Aria and Hannah at his own workplace .
“ Professor Colton ? ” Diego lit up , hurrying over with his hand out . “ I can’t believe it – Professor Colton! I never thought I’d bump into you here . This is incredible ! ”
Aria reached out to shake his hand , calm and poised . “ Hello , Mr. Sanders . ”
Diego’s eyes sparkled . “ You actually remember me ? ”
She gave a faint smile. “ Just call me Aria – that’s the name I use now . ”
Diego grinned even wider . “ I’m working at Heffner now , same hospital as your husband , Liam . ”
Aria’s smile faded slightly . “ He’s not my husband . We’re divorced . ”
Diego’s eyes went wide . He spun around to stare at Liam . “ What the hell ? ”
All this time , Liam had never mentioned the divorce .
No wonder he’d always dodged Diego’s attempts to meet Professor Colton . Now it made sense . What kind of idiot gets divorced from someone like her ?
Just then , Hannah managed to break free from Dexter and darted to Liam , wrapping her arms around his waist , sobbing , “ Liam , I don’t want to break up !
Please ! ”
Liam immediately pried her off , his face cold . “ It’s over , Hannah . We’re done . ”
Diego looked dumbfounded for a second , then remembered what Liam had said when they’d first met and that Hannah wasn’t his wife , and they weren’t
married .
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He turned back to Liam , “ So you cheated on her ? ”
Liam didn’t say a word . He didn’t even try to deny it .
Diego’s expression darkened , but then something lit up in his eyes .
He turned to Aria with a bright smile , “ Aria , can we exchange numbers ? ”
Aria didn’t see a reason to refuse . She nodded and took out her phone .
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Off to the side , Owen watched the foreigner , feeling a vague , unfamiliar twinge of jealousy .
Diego noticed Owen and asked , “ And you are … ? ”
He’d heard that in Huthailia , close friends sometimes called each other by repeating the name , but he decided to play it safe and just use the first name
Aria introduced him , “ A friend . Also my lawyer . ”
Diego’s smile got even sunnier as he looked Owen up and down . “ Diego . ”
Owen met his eyes with a steady gaze and gave a slight nod , “ Owen . ”
The two men sized each other up for a moment , neither one looking away .
Aria turned to leave . “ We’ll get going now . ”
Diego waved after her , “ See you soon , Aria ! ”
In Owen’s mind , the words echoed coldly : Hopefully , never .
As Aria walked past him , Liam felt a bitter , complicated twist inside . Regret , frustration … something he couldn’t even name it .
Hannah clung to him , teary – eyed , “ Liam , I … ”
“ Hannah . ” He cut her off , voice cold and edged with anger . “ Don’t ever come near me again . ”
With that , he walked away .
Diego followed , not bothering to keep pace , but he kept a clear distance. He hated cheaters , even if the guy was an old friend .
AD
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