Pampered After Divorce - Chapter 146: Chapter 146

Nora’s POV
It felt good to be away from Hank, though a part of me was interested in knowing more about him.
As soon as I entered Don’s car, he asked me, “You seem afraid of him, which is strange because you kissed him.”
His words made my cheeks burn with embarrassment, but after taking a deep breath, the courage to explain everything overtook me.
“Don, I acted on impulse. Hank is a very attractive guy but not for me.” Why did I feel as if I was lying to myself when I spoke about Hank? Perhaps it was because neither Molly nor Don believed me.
We were halfway through the journey before I recalled something important. “Oh no, I left my phone charging in his room.”
Don smiled, but with a meaningful look. “So, what should we do now?” he asked, leaving me with the burden of deciding whether to let my phone go or to go after it.
“Please take me back, and I will get a cab to take me home,” I suggested, but Molly interrupted, “No, he’ll take you and drop you home. Since you are with me, I have to make sure you are safe. After all, you don’t have your car here.”
But Don asked a question that changed everything. “Are you sure Hank would still be at home? What if he isn’t?”
“Can you call him then?” I asked, regretting doing so. As to what Hank was up to when he refused to meet me halfway, I had no idea, but when we arrived at his house without his presence, I felt something was off, which he made clear by instructing Don to leave.
After a little thought, I decided to confront him one last time. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Molly asked, but Don interrupted.
“She’s the one who charmed him with her kiss so why is she running when her charm worked? Let her face it alone.”
As funny as it may sound, this was a serious matter to me, and I knew I had to take care of it myself.
“Thanks, Don, and Molly. I will be in touch,” I said. Molly was still worried. “Gianni, she doesn’t want to see Hank. Can you help?”
My heart warmed at the level of Molly’s care, but Don trusted his friend too much to care. “Hank doesn’t harbor bad intentions. You are not needed there.”
Without saying a word, I stepped out of the car. Although it didn't move right away, I knew I had to face what lay ahead as soon as the gate closed behind me.
Unexpectedly, Hank greeted me with a kiss, which angered me enough to slap him, but he remained unfazed.
"Why do you make me feel like a monster? If I had any ill intentions, I wouldn't have taken care of you," he said with a pained expression, but I refused to let guilt consume me.
"Molly would have looked after me. I kissed you, and you kissed me back, so we're even," I pointed out, raising his eyebrows, he asked, "And the slap?"
I regretted slapping him. "I'm sorry, okay? But I don't want this," I said firmly, anticipating a confrontation, but to my surprise, he agreed.
"I genuinely thought you liked me," he said with a hurt look, making me feel remorseful.
"Yes, I do..." I started, but he interrupted, his tone turning cold. "But you can't forgive me over a few words?"
Something felt off, and I couldn't quite pinpoint it as words failed me. "I'll drive you home," he said, rushing up the stairs. He returned shortly, changed, and handed me my phone. "Here you go."
The ride to my apartment was quiet until we reached the parking lot. As I got out, he followed.
"You don't have to come," I insisted, but he spoke firmly. "I know, but I need to ensure your safety."
"But I'm safe," I argued, but he shook his head. "After the concert, do you still think you're safe? You don't even have a bodyguard."
The reality sank in, and fear gripped me. Things had indeed changed, and I needed to be more cautious. However, I still wanted to distance myself from Hank.
"Fine, I'll get a bodyguard soon, but for now, I want to be alone."
He accompanied me in the elevator, and as it ascended to the next floor, the doors opened, revealing a familiar face joining us. “Carter, how are you?"
He was my next-door neighbor, and although we never had a friendly relationship, he would usually greet me and occasionally join me for coffee.
However, today Carter seemed to be ignoring me. "Carter, are you okay?" I asked again, but he seemed preoccupied with Hank.
Just as they exchanged glances, Carter quickly exited the elevator before the doors closed.
"Do you know him?" Hank inquired, to which I nodded. "He's my next-door neighbor."
Hank's expression suddenly changed. "Then you need to move out of here. Pack up, I'll take you somewhere else."
"No," I firmly refused, but he was insistent, barging into my room without permission.
"Hank, you're crossing the line. Get out of my house," I demanded.
He stared at me and spoke firmly, "Once you're safe, I won't bother you again."
"I am safe here, and I'm not leaving," I asserted. Hank then questioned, "Carter Jones. What does he do?"
I realized something. I had mentioned Carter's first name, but Hank referred to him by his full name.
"Hank, how did you know his surname was Jones? Do you know him?"