Chapter 208

Hannah

After my dance with Drake, I returned to my friends. Amber, Emma, and Viona were huddled together, giggling. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

Amber turned, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, Hannah! You’ll never guess! I’m engaged!” She held out her left hand, displaying a glittering diamond ring.

“What?” I gasped, examining the ring. “Amber, that’s amazing! When did this happen?”

“Just now!” Amber squealed. “Jake proposed right here at the festival!”

Emma clapped. “It was so romantic!”

A pang of sadness hit me. I wished I’d been present for my friend's joyous moment instead of plotting to catch my husband cheating. I pushed the feeling aside, forcing a smile. I was truly happy for her.

“I’m so happy for you, Amber,” I said, hugging her. “Congratulations!”

As we admired the ring and discussed wedding plans, Viona’s discomfort grew. She kept glancing nervously around the room.

“Viona?” I asked softly. “Is everything alright?”

She hesitated. “It’s Andrew. He keeps trying to talk to me, and I… I can’t deal with him right now. He grosses me out.”

I saw Andrew nearby, his gaze fixed on Viona. He grinned and waved when we noticed him, causing us to quickly look away.

“Should I say something?” I whispered.

Viona shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I wish he’d leave me alone. He thinks an arranged marriage negates the need for personal space.”

I put a hand on her arm. “I’m here for you. If you need help with this arranged marriage, just ask.”

She smiled faintly. “Thanks, Hannah. I appreciate that… Oh, Goddess, here he comes.”

Andrew approached. I moved protectively in front of Viona, but she stopped me. “Viona,” Andrew said hopefully, “Would you like to dance? Or perhaps some ice cream?”

Viona’s shoulders tensed. “Andrew, I’ve already told you—”

“If we’re engaged, we should spend time together,” he insisted.

Viona’s frustration was evident. She looked at me, then Andrew. “I’m not interested in talking to you, now or ever. Please respect that.”

Andrew’s face fell, but he persisted. “Your parents think we’re a good match. Don’t you agree?”

That was the final straw. Viona straightened. “No, Andrew. I don’t agree. I’m not interested in an arranged marriage, and that’s final.”

She turned to us. “I’m going home. This is too much.”

“Of course,” I said, hugging her. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

Viona left, leaving Andrew bewildered. I started to confront him, but he was already gone.

Turning back to Amber and Emma, I saw Noah and Zoe emerging from a side room, whispering together.

“Bastard,” I muttered, clenching my teeth.

Noah’s eyes met mine across the room. He pushed through the crowd toward me, his jaw clenched.

I couldn’t face him. Turning to my friends, I said, “Amber, congratulations! We should have a girls’ night soon. But I have to go.”

Amber and Emma looked surprised. “Okay, Hannah. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I left, avoiding Noah. Near the exit, I paused at the Moon Goddess altar. The incense was lit, its sweet scent drawing me in. I stood there, lips pursed.

Why? Why had the Moon Goddess given me a second chance if things were still so difficult?

The tiny clay statuette stared back, impassive. She wasn’t in the statue. Maybe she didn’t even exist.

“Hannah!” Noah called, breaking my reverie. He was still approaching. Sighing, I hurried to my room.

Chapter 209

I ran back to my room, locking the door—just in case Noah tried to talk to me. He didn’t.

It was late, the festival ending. I prepared for bed, replaying the night's events. Noah and Zoe… what had they been doing?

No. It didn’t matter. I needed proof of his infidelity for the divorce.

Later, while brushing my teeth, I heard a faint sound—someone calling my name. I went to the window and opened it. Viona’s voice drifted up from below.

“Hannah! Hannah, down here!”

I leaned out. Viona was standing in the hedges.