Heart of Pains

Chapter Thirteen

Damien's POV:

I stood hidden behind the staircase, trying to make myself as hidden as possible as I watched someone barge into my house and head towards Hannah. His face was twisted with heartbreak and anger. Hannah turned around in shock but she quickly regained composure when she recognized who it was.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Dean's angry voice boomed through the room. He glared accusingly at Hannah. "Hannah, could you lie to me? I trusted you!"

Hannah stood tall, her gaze meeting Dean's with unwavering resolve.

"Now, Dean, I told you that I'm married now, and I don't want to cheat on him anymore. So why are you here?"

Dean's anger subsided momentarily and was replaced by confusion and hurt.

"I want to know where the hell you're been! You disappeared without a trace!" Dean exclaimed.

Hannah took a deep breath, her voice steady and unwavering.

"Leo had gotten sick, so I needed to go check on him. When he was better, I spent some time with him and Mariel," she explained.

Dean's eyes searched Hannah's face, trying to determine if she was lying or not, but all he found was a truthful and determined expression.

Dean stared her down.

"Then, you should've told me, and we could've gone to see them together like we always do. But ever since you fucking got married to that motherfucker, you don't call or text me anymore. What the hell is going on with that?" Dean looked at her harshly.

A flicker of hesitation went through Hannah's eyes, and for a moment, her icy facade wavered.

"I love you, Dean, but we can't be together anymore. I'm married, damn it, and I'm trying to honor this marriage," she said.

Dean's voice wavered with a mix of frustration and desperation.

"The last time I checked, this was an arranged marriage. So, you don't love him, do you?"

When Hannah answered him, her voice softened, a trace of regret seeping through her words.

"I don't love him, Dean, but we're married, so you and I know that I must keep my end of the bargain."

At her words, Dean's shoulders slumped in defeat. The weight of their situation felt like it was weighing him down.

He scoffed under his breath.

"So, what am I supposed to do, Hannah? Wait around for you to divorce him?"

Hannah met his frustrated gaze, her eyes filled with a strange mix of determination and sadness. It was quite an odd look for her, but Hannah somehow made it work.

"Dean, I'll give you three months. During that time, focus on yourself and find someone who can truly make you happy. If, after three months, you don't find that love, then I will leave my husband and marry you."

Dean's brow furrowed, the weight of her words sinking in.

"That's all I have? Three months?"

Hannah nodded, her voice steady.

"Yes. You have three months to find what you're looking for. But if it doesn't work out, then I'll be waiting."

Dean's face softened, a mixture of hope and resignation crossing his features.

"I don't know if I can let you go, Hannah. But I also don't want to hold you back." Hannah reached out, gently placing a hand on Dean's arm.

"I care about you, Dean. More than you'll ever know. But sometimes, we have to make choices for the greater good," she said.