Regret in His Wake (Hannah and Zachary) novel Chapter 17

Zion.

As Hannah stepped out of the art studio, her friend waved a phone at her, spilling the latest gossip about Zachary.

“Hannah, look at this!”

Balancing her art supplies, she glanced at the screen and let out a nonchalant "Okay."

“That’s all you've got?”

Her friend seemed puzzled, eyes on her. Hannah shrugged helplessly. “What do you expect me to do?”

The art community was small, and everyone was aware of her history, especially the scandal when Zachary got into a car crash over some romantic drama and then married someone else. And, of course, they knew a bit about what Hannah had done afterwards.

But their shock was nothing compared to the chaos around Zachary's entourage. Zachary had let a gem slip through his fingers, only to chase after someone else's wife. Shameless.

Her friend threw her hands up in an exaggerated gesture, visibly indignant. “If I were you, I'd have slapped him silly!”

Hannah chuckled. Ever since she left her country, she stopped caring about the past drama there.

Late that night, just as Hannah finished her last painting, a jarring ringtone shattered the quiet. It was a call from another friend who had also returned to the country.

“Hannah, you won't believe it! Zachary's lost it!”

Lost it? She frowned.

She then learned that ever since their divorce and her departure, coupled with his childhood sweetheart following her husband back to their home, Zachary had spiraled into a mess, drowning himself in whiskey.

Taking the bagel from Sunny's hand, Hannah handed over a birthday gift she’d prepared. Laughing and chatting, they reached the studio only to find out that class was canceled because some esteemed art figure was giving a lecture at the school.

They packed their things and headed to the school.

The lecture hall was packed. Hannah and Sunny squeezed in, barely snagging two seats at the very back.

A knock on the door quieted the room, and as the speaker entered, the buzzing audience fell silent in no time.

The man was undeniably striking. In their world of art, they’d encountered countless charming figures, yet not a single soul could compete this person before them.

At the sight of the man, Hannah felt her breath hitch; she knew him.

“Long time no see, Hannah.”