Devilish secretary
Chapter 415 Un-invited

Chapter 415: Chapter 415 Un-invited

"I know," he said, his voice cracking for just a second. He kissed the top of her head, the taste of salt on his lips from his own tears that threatened to spill. He pressed his cheek to her hair, rocking her gently back and forth like she was a child again. "I know, Sunshine... I know..."

Hannah clutched him tighter. "I don’t want her to be gone..."

Liam’s arms tightened around her as if he could pull the pain out of her body just by holding her close enough. "She isn’t gone, Hannah... she’s here... in you... in all those memories, every word she wrote for you, every time she called you her sunshine... That never leaves. It’s yours forever."

Hannah shook her head, her tears falling faster. Her knees gave out, but Liam sank to the floor with her, never letting her go. He stayed there, kneeling on the cold floor, his arms wrapped around the girl who had become his whole world.

"It’s not fair," she whispered against his chest, her voice so small it tore at his heart.

"No," Liam said, his voice low and shaking now, a single tear finally slipping free down his cheek. He didn’t wipe it away — he let it fall for her, for her mother, for the family that felt too small now. "It’s not fair. But we’ll get through it... together."

He leaned back just enough to tip her chin up, his thumb brushing a tear from her cheek as his eyes met hers — glassy, red, but full of a warmth that made her heart squeeze tight.

"I promised her I’d take care of you," he murmured. "And I meant it, Hannah. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Ever."

Hannah’s sobs softened, her breathing ragged as she buried her face in his shoulder again. Liam held her tighter, his heartbeat steady against her ear, his own tears mixing with hers as they sat there in the silence–two people, stitched together by loss, holding on to each other because that’s all they could do.

Outside the window, the last patch of snow slipped from the roof, landing softly on the ground below, melting away under the winter sun that felt just a little bit warmer than before.

******

Asher’s laughter boomed through the fancy private lounge, making even the waiters glance over in surprise. He had his arm thrown around Ethan’s shoulder like they were best buddies since birth, while Ethan sat there with an exaggerated sigh, flicking Asher’s hand off like a fly.

"Bro, you so funny! I like you!" Asher cackled again, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.

Ethan rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. He smoothed down the front of his crisp suit and leaned back in his seat with a dramatic scoff. "No, but I don’t like you. I like my wife!" he shot back, pointing a finger at Asher like he was scolding a naughty puppy.

Asher just laughed louder, pounding the table as he wheezed, "Hahaha! So loyal! I like dat! You should teach your brother—"

"Shut up!" Ethan barked, but even he couldn’t hide his smirk.

In the corner, Liam watched the two of them bicker like kids, a soft smile playing on his lips. He still couldn’t quite believe he was here at Sebastian’s bachelor party of all places. After everything that had happened, after all the heartbreak and the mess, he half-expected to be kept out of this circle forever. But here he was, sharing drinks with the Carter brothers, with Sebastian’s closest people.

His eyes flicked down to the bracelet on his wrist—Hannah had given it to him just yesterday. It was nothing fancy, just a simple leather strap, but it had her handwriting on the inside: Always yours. After her adoptive mother passed, he had stayed by her side through every tear and every long night. And one evening, when the world had finally felt quiet again, he’d asked her to be his girlfriend—his sunshine forever. She’d said yes, her eyes shining despite the grief.

Liam’s heart warmed at the thought. Who would’ve guessed that after being betrayed so deeply once, he’d fall in love again—harder, deeper, truer.

Meanwhile, the man of the hour—Sebastian Carter was unusually playful tonight. Or rather, Ray was. The moment Ray took over, it was like the whole room lit up. He’d practically bounced around the lounge, arranging everyone’s drinks, joking with the bartenders, making toasts every five minutes.

"Drink! Drink! Drink!" Ray chanted, pouring shots for Nova and Ethan, who just stared at him with disbelief.

"Bro, slow down!" Nova laughed, trying to dodge the shot glass Ray practically shoved at him. "You’ll make me call Ava and confess all my secrets!"

Ethan nearly spat out his drink when he noticed Asher hovering near the snacks like a lost puppy. He squinted, pointed his finger dramatically, and leaned closer to Ray—who was currently pouring more shots for everyone.

"But bro, why did you invite this guy?" Ethan said loudly, his eyes wide as he jabbed a thumb at poor Asher. "He’s from the bride’s side~~! This is supposed to be our side. The groom’s last free night! Boys only!"

Asher’s eyes widened like a kicked puppy. He dropped the chicken skewer he was nibbling on and clutched his chest in fake pain. His big eyes glistened under the neon lights of the lounge, his face the picture of dramatic heartbreak.

In his perfectly terrible English, he stammered out, "Bro...." He dragged the word out so sadly it made Nova snort his beer through his nose. "No one invite me. I come un-invite..."—he paused, looking to the ceiling as if that made sense—"...though kind people let me here. I am my brother-in-law side."

His accent and broken words were so tragic yet so funny that Ethan actually choked on air, staring at him like he’d grown another head.

"Your what?!" Ethan spluttered.

Asher sniffed, flicking his hair back with mock elegance, looking like a heartbroken nobleman who’d been banished from the palace. "Yeah, because win cold sis... I must be use brother-in-law..." he explained with grand hand gestures, as if that made perfect sense.

Nova burst out laughing so hard he almost fell off his chair. "Bro, did you understand any of that?" he wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes.