
Hanna knew right now, she must be very pale. His ears were buzzing and his hands were ice-cold. He would faint if he stayed here, but if he left, he would create a furore that would be a rumor for years.
Hanna tries to convince herself, however, Alex has cut ties with Irish to pursue Hanna. But that was then, now Alex hates and demeans Hanna.
And soon enough, even if Alex returns to the Claymore, Hanna's body will look ugly and swollen from conceiving.
Hanna really wished herself to die. He suffered so much that he did not know exactly when Alex clasped his cold, damp hand, which he then tucked into the curve of the man's arm. Even Hanna could no longer feel when Alex squeezed Hanna's fingers lightly to try to calm her down.
At least, now Hanna can breathe. But only briefly, as the Irish Lancaster received thunderous applause with a faint nod, the woman's blue eyes looked at Alex's eyes and an electric current splashed between the two of them, thus making Hanna hurt.
Not long after, the party house opened for a dance. For the next half hour, Alex did not leave Hanna, but did not speak or look at her either.
Still confused about how to behave, Alex pulls him, leads to the dance floor and hugs him, which Hanna guesses is the man's alibi so that the invited guest thinks he still cares about his wife.
"Where's your engagement ring?" alex asked angrily as he turned Hanna around at the perfect time to waltz.
"Your symbol?" Hanna asked back with her chin held high. Hanna's pale face looked fragile and beautiful. "That engagement ring you mean?"
"You know exactly which ring."
"Because it's a symbol of love that I no longer have from you, I feel hypocritical if I wear it." Hanna holds her breath and waits for Alex to say that the man's love for her is not dead.
"Just do as you please" Alex said, not caring. "You always have been."
When the dance ended, they stayed together, each playing convincingly while being lightly chatted by the dozens of guests surrounding them. But not long after, the tension seemed to be getting more pronounced in the group. Their laughter suddenly sounded too loud and forced as they glanced past Hanna's right shoulder.
Hanna was nervous and alert, aware of the change in mood, then turned to see what was the cause. Hanna glanced, then immediately turned her face away, but it was too late to do anything other than brace herself.
Peter Pattigrew and Irish, who were holding the man, were approaching them from behind.
"Claymore!" peter's mocking voice interrupted the group's forced joy like a hot knife pierced through butter, melting it to liquid. "I'm sure, there's no need to introduce the two of you."
All pairs of eyes turned towards them while Alex reflexively turned to hear his name called, and found himself facing off against the most annoying man, Peter Pattigrew who smiled widely, and also his former mistress.
Hanna had no other choice but to turn around, hear a panicked voice and gasp in gasps, laugh stifled and feel many curious gazes fixated on them.
Undoubtedly, everyone present in the large party room now knew what was going on. Everyone, except Alex and Irish, seemed to find the situation somewhat ridiculous.
With a lazy smile, Alex brought Irish hands closer to her lips for a brief kiss. "I see, Madam, you just need to enter the room to get all the men to their knees in front of you."
A glint of understanding emanated from Irish blue eyes while the woman nodded gracefully as she received Alex's polite praise. "Not all men" Irish said meaningfully. "But I would be very surprised if you also bend your knees, Your Grace."
Hanna heard this small talk with anger, hurt and shame. Wondering if Alex would introduce his wife to his mistress, but Hanna believes Alex, for the sake of politeness.
In Hanna's eyes, everything was the same as Peter Pattigrew. Including Hanna's polite and forward-thinking husband. As if the insults to Hanna had not been enough, Peter Pattigrew with his song introduces Hanna to Alex's former mistress.
Strengthened by anger, Hanna looked into Irish eyes who was secretly assessing Hanna calmly. Gracefully, and in flawless French, Hanna said, "Merci de partager ta belle voix avec moi. Je suis heureuse d'ecouter ta voix."
(Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with me, Mademoiselle. It is so good to hear your voice.)
With the same elegance, Iris replied, "Most of the compliments about women's beauty and charm are too exaggerated. But I can see, the praise of yourself is not excessive."
A soft and sensual smile rose on Irish lips, glancing at Alex, the woman boldly added. "And I must admit, I'm disappointed to know."
After which, he nodded gracefully to the two of them, took Peter Pattigrew by the arm, and walked away to please himself by listening to the three hundred men in the room.
For a moment Hanna was covered in warmth from Alex's satisfaction with the way Hanna dealt with the confrontation. Hanna also found out, when an hour later Alex and Irish left the room through a separate door leading to the terrace.
Hanna looked at the silent gaze that Irish had directed at Alex from across the party room, and most painfully of all, Hanna also saw Alex's silent nod in response.
With a smile, under the summer moonlight, Irish reached out to hold Alex in her strong, warm hands. "It's so nice to see you, Alex. Peter Pattigrew must have hated you so much for deliberately manipulating our brief encounter in there."
Alex looked down and smiled broadly at the woman. "Peter Pattigrew waji*didngan stupid, as you can conclude yourself, Irish." Alex sees the moonlight turning Irish hair silvery, while Alex enjoys the beauty and intelligence of Irish eyes that are purplish blue.
Irish is not offended at Alex's blatant conclusion about Peter. Irish is good at judging a person's character, just like Alex and they both know that.
"Marriage isn't suitable for you, My Lord?" Irish said it in the form of a question, but it was actually a statement.
Alex is a little tense. He reminded himself that the people of London would be very shaken if Alex again made Irish Lancaster as a mistress.
The two of them were very famous, so the rumors that occurred as a result of their new relationship would definitely not end, and the embarrassment Hanna received would be huge.
It is undeniable, Alex argues, that Irish is an exciting sleeping partner who is perfect for Alex. And maybe it's right to satisfy his desires and help Alex to forget Hanna. He guarantees, Irish will be happy to accept his intention to re-establish a relationship.
Suddenly she remembered Hanna's beautiful and fragile face. "Based on a fucking woman! How dare she take off the engagement ring! The woman was cunning, a liar and a deceiver." she said in her heart, so upset that it was so hard to forget her even for a second, even when she was on the side of a woman as beautiful as Irish Lancaster!
Hanna was a jerk, but that woman was also his wife. And at this time, Hanna was pregnant with her child. He cursed himself for not being able to offer the same as the contents of Irish heart to the beautiful girl. And all that just because I didn't want Hanna to be hurt more.
She will be looking for another woman, who will not cause gossip when she is in a relationship with Alex.
"Marriage does not seem to suit your wife either" said Irish lirih. The statement that led Alex to immediately welcome his point, again made him a lover.
"Marriage is perfect for us. And we're very happy."