Chapter 1606
Even though she was the apple of her parentsâ eye, Hannah grew up in a rural area where childhood meant learning lifeâs basics early on. While her folks toiled away in the fields, the kids had to fend for themselves when it came to meals.
Steven walked down the stairs, and watched Hannah move with practiced ease. She pulled a lean cut of beef from the fridge, rinsed it, and sliced it into fine strips before plucking a handful of spinach from the crisper. Her fluid movements were a dead giveaway; this was no rookie in the kitchen. Regrettably, he had never tasted a meal sheâd made.
Soon enough, a steaming bowl of beef and spinach pasta was ready to serve. Hannah grabbed a large bowl and filled it to the brim until not even a drop of broth was left in the pot.
Steven reached out eagerly. âHannah, you barely touched your food. Arenât you hungry? I canât finish this massive bowl. Letâs share it.â
But Hannah sidestepped his outstretched hand. âWhy would I cook pasta if I wasnât hungry?â
Steven was baffled. âSo whereâs mineâ¦â
The truth dawned on him-Hannah hadnât cooked for him. Scratching his head awkwardly, he offered, âYou go ahead. Iâm not really hungry; donât worry about me.âe2
The bowl was enormous; he doubted she could finish it all. Leftovers it would be, then.
Hannah sat down and started wolfing down the pasta, every single strand ending up in her belly, leaving nothing behind.
Stevenâs heart felt tight, yet he smiled. âHannah, how did you get to be such a whiz in the kitchen? When did you learn to cook like this? I wonder, will I ever get to taste a meal made by you?â
She ignored him, slurping the last of her broth and patting her satisfyingly full stomach, âNo filming, no cameras, just eating whatever I damn well please. Itâs fucking fantastic!â
Steven hesitated, âHannahâ¦â
âWhatâs up? You think I shouldnât swear?â
Steven shrugged. âWho doesnât let loose now and then? I just really want to try your homemade pasta someday. Any chance of that happening?â
Hannah was blunt. âMr. Dixon, Iâm just your tenant. I pay my rent. I donât owe you any meals, do I?â
Back when they had first registered their marriage, and she had few acting gigs, she had plenty of time at home. She would cook and wait for him.
But he never showed up. Plate after plate of food ended up in the trash. Eventually, she stopped cooking altogether.
Steven didnât give up. âThen Iâll learn to cook and make meals for you.â
Hannah dismissed the subject, âLetâs talk business now.â
âAlright, shoot,â Steven said.
âI know I canât take on the Salazar family on my own, but Iâm not ready to give up just like that.â
âWe definitely canât let it go,â Steven agreed.
Hannah continued, âI have evidence of their crimes. Iâve tried to get it to the authorities before, but it always gets intercepted. I know my voice carries little weight, so this time, Iâve asked a friend for help.â
Steven was alarmed. âWhich friend? A guy? A woman? Hannah, Iâm already handling this. You donât need to turn to other men.â
As far as he knew, Hannah hardly had any friends. Who else could possibly have the clout to help her with the Salazars?
âJarvis!â She declared.
âJarvis? Didnât that guy move abroad? Why is he still haunting us?â
âJust because heâs overseas doesnât mean he canât come back.â
âHannah, Jarvis isnât right for you, and his family will never accept you two togetherâ¦â
âHeâs not right for me? And who is? You?â
âYes.â
Hannah chuckled. âI recall your family wasnât too keen on us being together either.â
Steven knew all too well. âTheir approval was never important. What matters is how you feel. If youâre willing to remarry me, no one can stop us.â