My Deceased Wife Wants a Divorce (Hannah) novel Chapter 14

He was so close she could smell the faint scent of disinfectant and perfume clinging to him.

The combination made her stomach churn, and she reached for the doorknob, desperate to get away.

But he blocked her again.

“Where are you going?”

Seeing her instinctively recoil, a flash of annoyance crossed Lionel’s eyes. He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to turn and face him.

She could feel the heat of his body pressing against hers, trapping her.

“It’s late. Where are you trying to go?” he asked, his eyes half-closed as he looked down at her.

She had just showered, and her fair skin was flushed from the hot water. A few damp strands of hair clung to her neck, and a droplet of water traced a path down her collarbone, disappearing into her nightgown.

Lionel’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His hand moved from her shoulder to her waist, pulling her into his arms.

Hannah was caught off guard, stumbling into his embrace. Her cheek was pressed against his chest, and she could hear the strong, steady beat of his heart.

She remembered a time when he was so weak, she would press her ear to his chest just like this, listening to the faint rhythm, praying it would grow stronger.

But now…

Her eyes flew open, and she pushed against his chest with both hands.

“Let me go!”

The more she struggled, the tighter he held her, as if trying to merge her body with his.

“Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? Why are you fighting me now? Playing hard to get?” Lionel’s voice was a low, cold laugh.

His words, laced with mockery, sent a hot flush to her ears. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze.

He paused, and Hannah forced a bitter smile. “If you’ve forgotten, I can remind you.”

The day they got their marriage license, he had thrown the certificate at her face and snarled.

“Hannah, you got what you wanted. But remember this: I will never touch you, and I will never love you.”

Those words were seared into her heart.

She had thought it was just anger talking, but she soon learned it was the truth.

For three years, she had been a wife in name only. No matter what she did, he never once looked at her.

Lionel seemed to recall, his brow furrowing.

Hannah seized the opportunity, scrambling off the bed, grabbing her laptop, and running to the guest room, locking the door firmly behind her.