Pampered After Divorce - Chapter 148: Chapter 148

Hank’s POV
The last time I saw Nora, I realized she was the next-door neighbor to a hitman. Carter Jones had no principles when it involved his targets.
For as long as there was money involved, he wouldn’t mind whom he killed for it.
In the course of trying to warn her, the question was directed at me due to how I mistakenly mentioned his full name, but how could I tell her who I used to be? Since she wasn’t ready to move out, I decided to secretly protect her.
She might not be able to forgive me for the things I said when she kissed me, but I destined in my heart to wait for as long as she was still single.
However, I had to maintain a distance since my closeness made her uncomfortable.
Gio didn’t tell me Octavia was going to be here, and for a moment, I thought she had changed her mind about wanting to tour the world until she introduced Cage.
Did she even know who she was dealing with? I respected her for telling me her peace of mind for the fact that she didn’t want a relationship to hold her down, but the fact that she lied to me caused my anger to burn.
It was barely a month since I last saw her, but suddenly, she had a man by her side, so what happened to her not being ready to enter a relationship yet?
Had she told me I wasn’t her type, I would have taken it easier than realizing she lied to me.
At this point, I didn’t want to be involved with her anymore, but the moment I mentioned going for a swim with Roger, she approached me.
“Hank, are you avoiding me?”
With Roger on my shoulder, I didn’t want to say certain things, so I dropped and informed him. “Why don’t you wait at the shore? I will join you soon.”
Having trained him about giving adults privacy when having certain discussions, I had no fears of his obeying my instructions.
“I’m not avoiding you, Octavia. I don’t want to be anywhere close to you,” I said directly, her eyes were moist.
“Hank, you were nice earlier.”
“Since you're going to pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about, let's be honest. Octavia, you told me you wanted to travel the world. It's only been a month, and you already have a boyfriend."
Guilt was evident in her eyes, but she was honest. "I'm sorry, Hank, but I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I just wanted to get away from Molly and Vanni. If I had given you a chance, I would still be with them."
"So, if I understand correctly, you're still in love with Gio," I pointed out, feeling a pang of pain inside. After a brief pause, she replied, "Before I left, yes, but after meeting Cage, no."
The guy she called her boyfriend, making me wonder why women preferred such men over those of us who would do anything for them.
"How long have you known him?" I couldn't help but ask. She replied in a slightly shy tone, "Just two weeks, but from the moment we met, we felt like soul mates."
It was obvious she was completely taken with him, as if her very existence depended on him. "Is that so? Well, I wish you all the best."
As I turned to walk away and join Roger, she grabbed my arm, forcing me to look down at her. "Hank, is there something you're not telling me?"
Knowing Cage was a gangster and a womanizer, I wasn't sure if she would believe me. "Would you break up with him if I told you he wasn't good enough for you?"
She frowned and raised her hands to stop me from speaking. "Hank, I think we should end this conversation. Cage makes me happy."
A bitter smile accompanied my words. "That's exactly what I thought."
I left her to join Roger, but I noticed Gio talking to Octavia for a while before joining us, leaving Molly with Nora.
"Hank, I want you to investigate Cage," Gio said when I came out of the water with Roger, but I refused. "I won't do it. Find someone else.”
Octavia likes the guy, so what's the point of investigating him for any reason? The reality is that her mind won't change.
"Hank, I'll pay double," Gio urged me, but I shook my head. "Even if you offer me Molly and Roger, I won't do it."
About to speak, he paused and asked me, "What's going on? I thought you liked Nora, but why do I feel like you're still interested in Octavia?"
Perhaps he was misinterpreting my actions, so I explained fervently, "I don't want Octavia, but I dislike her dishonesty. She rejected me because she didn't want to be close to you and Molly, but she lied to me."
Gio didn't seem surprised, indicating that he may have sensed this all along. "Now you're being petty. I know you hate being lied to, but I think she was just trying to spare your feelings," he explained, leaving me speechless.
"You two know each other so well, I'm surprised you didn't marry her," I said sarcastically. He shook his head as if dealing with a teenager, and I realized I was acting immaturely.
"Now you're nagging like a woman," he teased, which somehow calmed me down. So I confessed, "Cage is a gangster, Maxwell's associate. They're involved in drug trafficking. Remember the FBI agent I rescued two years ago?"
"Yes," he responded with interest, prompting me to share more. "That was Maxwell's cartel, and I saw Cage there. Maybe he's changed now."
People can change, so a new investigation would be necessary to confirm Cage's current lifestyle.
"I don't think so," Gio said, his gaze fixed on something. I followed his gaze and felt my anger rise.