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Chapter 3 The Wicked Sister

As the days turned into weeks, Darrian's Grandfather continued to weave his web of disapproval around Darrian's relationship with Hannah. Will he discover she is the same Samantha Balsam, his best friend and Sam's granddaughter? He knew Darrian had divorced the one woman he agreed to be the grandaughter-in-law he approved. Now, he spared no effort in finding another suitable fiancée for Darrian, hoping he would agree and live with her in harmony. Someone who lived in the same city and fit his idea of an ideal match. First, he called Samantha. When Hannah picked up the phone, she had to remember her full name, Samantha Hannah. She was named after her grandfather Sam, who called her Samantha instead of Hannah, the name she liked.

After the divorce, she decided Hannah was more suited to her personality. Darrian's Grandfather had no clue she was the same woman his beloved grandson was still married to only a few weeks ago, yet he disapproved of her. She answered, "Yes, Grandfather!" She heard silence. She hoped he did not recognise her voice and used her pious, gentle voice. He said, "Do you know your husband is having an affair?" She replied, "I do not care about his affairs; we are now divorced and living our lives the way we want. Neither of you contacted me after the marriage. It was a business acquisition and not a marriage. Is this the only reason you are contacting me? Bye, Grandfather. Both you and Darrian have happiness and a good life."

Darrian witnessed the stress etch deep lines on Hannah's face, her once vibrant eyes now clouded with worry. He couldn't bear to see her suffer any longer. Little did he know the double character was taking a toll on Hannah, giving her the most stress. It pained him to admit it, but maybe his Grandfather was right. Perhaps they were just two mismatched puzzle pieces that couldn't fit together.

One evening, as they strolled hand in hand through the park, Darrian broke the heavy silence that weighed upon them. "Hannah, I can't bear to see you go through all this. My Grandfather will never accept us. It's tearing us apart." Hannah looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. If only you did not complicate our lives; instead, she said, "Darrian, I love you, but I can't fight against your family forever. It's not fair to either of us. Maybe it's time for me to step aside to let you find your desired happiness." Darrian's heart sank at her words, knowing she was right. He had to end this constant battle to free Hannah from the clutches of his family's disapproval. But that didn't make it any easier. Hannah thought once again he was behaving like a coward instead of standing up to his Grandfather; he allowed him to bully him into submission.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he pulled Hannah into a tight embrace. "I don't want to lose you, Hannah. But maybe it's for the best. You deserve a chance at happiness, too, free from judgment and prejudice." Hannah nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "I'll cherish the time we had together, Darrian. The memories will always hold a special place in my heart." Time seemed to stand still as they stood there, unwilling to let go, their hearts heavy with the bittersweet realisation that their love story had reached an impasse. If only he stood by her, he would discover who she was.(His ex-wife)

In the following days, Hannah wanted to be free, so she decided to leave for their London Office, allowing her dad to run the office in Seol. She had to escape from the man she fell in love with. She was seeking a fresh start and distance from the painful memories that lingered in her heart, leaving her wicked husband and lover behind. Darrian respected her choice, though every fibre of his being longed for her to stay. With tear-filled promises and heartfelt goodbyes, they bid each other farewell at the airport. Darrian stood there, watching Hannah's figure disappear into the crowd; his heart shattered into a million pieces. He knew that life without her would never be the same.

As Darrian navigated the following days, a sad stillness settled over his once vibrant life. He threw himself into work, burying his pain beneath the relentless demands of his career. Yet, deep down, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right choice.

In the heart of London, Hannah found solace in the bustling streets and the cold, dreary weather. She immersed herself in a new job, forming new connections, and slowly piecing together her life again, wondering if Darrian would ever find out that the woman he loved was his ex-wife.

The world seemed vast, yet their paths were destined to intertwine again. Fate had a way of bringing them back together, but only time would tell whether it would be to rekindle their love or face the harsh reality of what they had lost. And so, as the distance between them grew, Darrian and Hannah embarked on separate journeys, Darrian heart forever entwined with Hannah's, hoping that one day, against all odds, he would find his way back to her.

Hannah had settled into her new life in London, trying to find solace in the bustling city. She had made new friends, pursued her dreams, and slowly tried to forget her husband and lover and try to heal the wounds left by her supposedly tumultuous relationship with Darrian. Little did she know that back in Seoul, a sinister plot was unfolding.

The princess of Hannah’s family, Charmain, her wicked stepsister, a member of the influential Balsam family, had harboured a deep infatuation for Darrian since she discovered that Hannah was once married to him. When they were children, anything Samantha Hannah owned, Charmaine wanted the same or better. She coveted her stepsister. She could not bear to think that Darrian was forced into marriage with her stepsister, and she couldn't wait for the divorce. She met him last year at a friend's wedding, and after the one dance, she believed she was entitled to Darren's affections, even though his heart had never belonged to her. Consumed by jealousy and fueled by revenge on her sister with her family connections, Charmaine devised a plan to remove Hannah from Darrian's life. She will remove Hannah from Darrian's heart, and he will never reencounter her as long as she manipulates the circumstances in her capable hands.

Unbeknownst to Hannah, a group of hired thugs lay in wait, ready to execute Charmaine's malicious scheme. After a long week, Hannah hung out with her friends. That Friday was no exception. She left the bar feeling sleepy. She wondered why she was so tired each day. As Hannah left the Tavern that evening, she felt a chill. Her instincts kicked in, warning her of an impending danger. Before she could react, a cloth doused in a potent sedative was pressed against her mouth and nose, and everything went dark. Hannah regained consciousness to find herself in a cold, dimly lit warehouse. Panic coursed through her veins as she struggled against the ropes binding her wrists and ankles. The realisation hit her hard – she had been kidnapped, and her life was in grave danger.

An email was sent out from her computer that she was out of town on leave. No one would look for her now. As days turned into nights, Hannah endured the horrors of her captivity. She remained firm, drawing upon the resilience she had developed over the years. But the memories of her time with Darrian lingered, fueling her determination to fight for her freedom.

Meanwhile, oblivious to Hannah's disappearance, Darrian continued his life, haunted by the absence of the woman he had come to love. His days were filled with restless worry, a gnawing feeling that something was wrong. He couldn't escape the haunting thought that he had failed Hannah, leaving her vulnerable and alone.

It was only a matter of time before Darrian's paths crossed with Charmain's. She was in attendance and approached him at every event he attended. He was suspicious of her and Grandfather. After his men reported to him about the woman from Seoul, who was last seen with Hannah in London, the description fitted Charmaine perfectly. One day, the truth came crashing upon him like a tidal wave. He confronted Charmaine about Hannah's disappearance in London and saw the dark, twisted desire in her eyes. The lengths she had gone to assert her claim over him were undeniable. He was disgusted with her. To think Grandfather would want him to be with this awful woman. Another Balsam woman, why would grandfather pick them? She had her family's backing to do something of this propensity.

A deep resolve settled within Darrian's heart. He knew he had to save Hannah, regardless of the risks involved. With a team of trusted friends, Darrian embarked on a dangerous quest to rescue the woman he loved. He despised Charmaine for what she did. As they delved deeper into the shadows, they realised that to save Hannah, they would have to take on the Balsam family and a network of power and corrupt individuals who sought to protect themselves. Darrian's determination grew more robust, fueled by his love for Hannah and the knowledge that justice needed to prevail.

Charmaine needed Hannah out of the way to be with Darrian, and her Father, Tom, needed to control the entire Balsam corporation. He felt entitled to the family company and to be the family's only heir. His stepdaughter was more of a daughter than Samantha Hannah would ever be. He couldn't understand why his dad would leave the company to Samantha Hannah instead of him.

The stage was set, and the battle lines were drawn. Darrian and his allies prepared for the ultimate showdown, ready to face the darkness threatening to consume them all. With Hannah's life hanging in the balance, they would stop at nothing to bring her back, exposing the true face of those who sought to control their lives.

My Beloved Readers,

The plot thickens. Hannah's dad wanted her captured and perhaps dead; he used his evil stepdaughter to accomplish his desire for control of the Balsam corporation. What will they do next? Read on to find out.

Love always,

Your author.

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