The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 172

Courtroom Closure

HANNAH’S POV:

With therapy and with how beautifully my life was unfolding now, I couldn’t help but feel genuinely happy most days.

I’d spent half of Thanksgiving with my biological aunt Adele and her two children, and it had been incredible.

Her son Mike was still in college, studying computer science. He was nerdy and funny in that awkward way that college guys often are. We hadn’t clicked immediately at first, but now he was calling me regularly asking for advice about women, which I found absolutely adorable. He’d developed a crush on a girl in his programming class and had no idea how to talk to her.

Adele’s daughter Reese had graduated college two years ago. She was two years younger than me but seemed so worldly and experienced. She was a traveler who also did professional ballet, somehow managing to balance both passions. That’s how talented and driven she was.

Reese and I had clicked immediately. She’d gushed over how adorable Amelia and Andrew were, spent hours playing with them, and had declared Elijah “an absolute hunk” which had made him blush.

I was so incredibly happy to finally have a family who was genuinely thankful to have me. Who wanted me around. Who texted me randomly just to check in or share funny stories.

By the time we arrived at the courthouse that morning, my brief good mood had evaporated. Reporters and camera flashes had already swarmed the entrance like a plague of hungry mosquitoes.

The moment Elijah and I stepped out of the car together, a literal storm of shutter clicks burst in our faces, flashing lights and shouted questions.

“Mrs. Martinez, how do you feel about today’s sentencing?”

“Mr. Martinez, any comment on your wife’s kidnapping case?”

“Hannah, do you have a statement for your former family?”

I forced myself to keep walking, chin lifted despite wanting to hide, spine straight despite the trembling in my legs.

What had really surprised me over the past few weeks was how close Maya and Cherry had become. They’d always been friendly, but lately they’d been practically inseparable. And since Maya’s new boyfriend Job had come into the picture, it was like she had this new sense of confidence and assurance that made her glow.

Cherry hugged me next, squeezing so tightly I almost couldn’t breathe. “Love you,” she said simply.

Jacob ruffled my hair like the annoying older brother figure he’d become, making me smile despite my nerves.

But Lucas held me longer than any of them. He rubbed slow, soothing circles on my back the way he’d done since we know each other.

“It’s almost over,” he murmured into my ear, his voice steady and sure. “Just a little bit longer, and then it’s done. We’re right here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Almost over. Almost.