Chapter 211: Chapter 225

Chapter 0225 Hannah “Wow, Amber,” I breathed as I stepped into the vacation rental. My eyes widened as I took in the spacious living room with its vaulted ceiling and panoramic windows overlooking the mountains. “You really outdid yourself with this place.”

She really did, too; the rental she had picked out was perfect for a week–long getaway, and she had spared no expense. A tray of fresh local cheeses wrapped in paper as well as two bottles of champagne were even waiting for us on the entryway table as we walked in, and the whole place smelled like pine and vanilla.

Amber grinned and dropped her bags on the floor. “Only the best for my girls,” she said, throwing her arms around all three of us.

“Thank you all so much for coming with me. I really needed a few days to unwind after... well, you know.”

Viona squeezed her tight. “Of course. That’s what friends are for.”

Emma nodded in agreement. “And hey, look on the bright side. At least you found out before the wedding, right?”

Amber managed a weak smile. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

I felt a pang of guilt, remembering how we had tricked Jake to get our evidence. But seeing Amber now, I knew we had done the right thing. She deserved so much better than a cheating fiance.

In the days that had followed since Amber learned about Jake’s infidelity, so much had happened. He had confessed to countless hookups with other men prior to our little setup; his ‘friend‘, Doug, being the first of many.

He claimed that he didn’t know he was gay when he and Amber started dating, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he never talked to her, and instead resorted to cheating on her. Amber did, of course, kick him out of their shared penthouse–forcing him to move in with his brother.

And now here we were.

We spent the next half hour exploring the rental. It was even more impressive than the pictures online had suggested. Four spacious bedrooms, one for each of us, each with its own ensuite bathroom and jacuzzi. A gourmet kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances that would make any chef jealous. And best of all, a hot tub on the back deck with a stunning view of the misty mountains.

As we unpacked, I couldn’t help but feel a tiny sense of relief wash over me. It felt good to be away from home, away from Noah and all the tension that had been building between us. He had wanted me to bring a bodyguard on this trip, but I had refused, of course, and for the first time in a long while, I felt... free.

“Earth to Hannah,” Viona’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You still with us, or are you off in la la land already?”

I blinked, realizing I’d been staring out the window for several minutes straight. “Sorry, just admiring the view,” I said quickly.

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Uh–huh. Sure you weren’t thinking about a certain someone back home?”

1/3 Chapter 0225 +25 BONUS I rolled my eyes. “Please. The whole point of this trip is to get away from all that drama.”

“Exactly,” Amber chimed in from the other room. “No boy talk allowed this weekend!”

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing board games and card games in the spacious living room, snacking on the fancy cheese and crackers that the host left for us. As evening approached, Amber stretched and yawned.

“So, what’s the plan for dinner? Should we cook something here?”

Viona made a face. “On vacation? No way. Let’s go out somewhere nice.”

“I saw a fancy–looking restaurant in town when we drove in,” Emma suggested. “We could get all dressed up!”

“Perfect. I brought a new dress that I’ve been dying to wear,” Amber purred.

Viona grinned. “We’ll have to take some pictures of you in it. For, you know, revenge.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “I don’t think it matters if my ex is gay, Vi. But... I’ll still take the pictures.”

An hour later, we were all dressed up and piling into the rental car. I had slipped into a satin midi skirt and a black turtleneck that had me feeling sexy, the soft satin pooling around my fuller hips as I sat in the back seat.

Since the Lunar Festival, I had put on two more pounds–and I considered that a win. Just another fifteen, and I would be back to my original healthy weight before all of the eating disorder nonsense.

The restaurant was even fancier than we expected. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the tables were set with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware. A host in a tuxedo greeted us at the door.

“Good evening, ladies. Do you have a reservation?”

“Um, no,” Amber said, chewing on her lower lip. “Is that a problem?”

The host consulted his list. “I’m afraid we’re fully booked this evening. However...” He glanced over his shoulder at the bar. “I may be able to squeeze you in at the bar, if you don’t mind waiting a bit there for a table to open up.”

We exchanged glances, then nodded. “That would be great, thank you,” I said.

We settled onto the plush bar stools, and a bartender approached us with a smile. “Good evening, ladies. What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have a glass of your finest red,” Amber said, already pulling out her platinum card.

Viona smirked. “In a spending mood this week, huh?” she asked.

Amber blushed as the bartender walked away. “My parents... may have sent me a bit of extra cash to treat myself after what happened,” she admitted with a cheeky grin. “Tonight’s on me, by the way. Well... This whole week is on me.”

Viona, Emma and I exchanged amused glances. Amber was easily the most wealthy out of all of us; her family was a long line of business owners. They had owned the first railroad company in Nightcrest back in the early 1800s, and their wealth had only expanded from there. Now, they ran the biggest car 2/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 0225 manufacturer in the entire continent.

Money was no object to them–and Amber had a tidy sum of her own, along with a fancy penthouse apartment, without ever having to lift a finger.

We spent the next few minutes debating which fancy dishes to order, from the truffle risotto to the lobster thermidor. I was just about to suggest we split a few different appetizers when I felt someone’s gaze on me.

Glancing to my left, I saw a man sitting a few stools down, watching me with interest. He was handsome, in a rugged sort of way, with salt–and–pepper hair and piercing blue eyes. When he caught me looking, he smiled.

I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. What was wrong with me? I was still married, for crying out loud. Even if things with Noah were... complicated.

“Hannah? You okay?” Emma asked, noticing my distraction.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, fine. Just... thinking about what to order.”

The bartender returned with our drinks, setting them down in front of us. As I reached for mine, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder that nearly made me jump.

“Excuse me, miss.” I looked up to see those piercing blue eyes looking down at me. “May I pay for your drink?”

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