Mistaken Hearts

The Return of Sabrina

Hannah’s POV

The Wexler Gala had gold-rimmed champagne glasses, crystal chandeliers, and too many people acting like they liked each other. It was all I could have imagined and more. Nerves gnawing at my calm, I held my tiny silver handbag even more tightly.

I had no desire to be here. Not at all. Dennis, however, persisted. He claimed that having me by his side was crucial. I put on the black dress he chose and forced a grin that I didn't feel.

Like the ideal host, Dennis stood next to me, welcoming guests. I couldn't help but notice the possessive weight of his hand resting on the small of my back.

He said quietly in my ear, "Smile." "You are the most stunning woman in this place. Let them be envious of me.

I smiled, but my eyes didn't meet it.

She entered at that point.

Thorn, Sabrina.

Tall, graceful, and wearing a scarlet gown that hung down to her floor, embracing all her curves. Her eyes roamed the room like a queen returning to her throne, her lips painted blood-red.

Dennis tensed up next to me.

I followed his eyes.

I whispered, "You didn't tell me your ex-fiance would be here."

His mouth was clenched as he said quietly, "I didn't know." "She wasn't asked."

Sabrina looked at us. Then she smiled. Not a smile of friendliness. A problem.

"She's on her way," I said.

Dennis remained silent. His expression revealed nothing as he simply watched her.

“Dennis,” said Sabrina quietly, halting directly in front of us. "It has been a while."

He gave one nod. "Sabrina."

She looked at me. "And who is this?"

Dennis said, "This is Hannah." "My—"

"A new fixation?" With a voice as sweet as poison, she broke off. "Your projects truly bring you joy."

I tensed up.

"I'm his girlfriend," I responded, trying to seem composed.

She smiled sharply and added, "You are, of course." "How beautiful."

Dennis looked across at me. Please pardon me for a moment. I have to take care of something on the board.

He started to leave before I could respond. Sabrina smiled more broadly.

Suddenly, I found myself by myself with her.

I followed Sabrina to a peaceful nook close to the rear corridor. There was nobody. She wore a thick, chilly, and pricey perfume.

She twirled her wine glass and added, "You know, he always comes back to me." "This dance is something we've done before."

I said plainly, "I'm not trying to compete."

"All right. You would lose.

I remained silent.

She sipped slowly. "Dennis is obsessive, possessive, and controlling—but he's safe."

I blinked. "Safe?"

"Don't you believe that Darren is the more compassionate option?" She leaned closer. "Don't be fooled by those silent eyes. There are secrets about that boy. Not the type you keep in a journal, either.

I frowned. "You're unfamiliar with me."

"However, I am familiar with them." She fell silent. "You're looking for the truth? There was a reason why Darren was sent away. He stayed. He was detained.

My stomach turned over. "Where is it locked away?"

Satisfied with the response, she smiled. "Inquire about the clinic with Dennis. Ask their father instead. Oh—hold on. You can't. He is no longer alive.

"What are you attempting to accomplish?" I said.

"Keep you safe," she said. "In my manner. Dennis may tell lies, but Darren ruins things.

Then she turned to leave, her heels clicking behind her like alarm bells.

I left shortly after that.

I kicked off my heels and sat on the side of my bed in my apartment, my thoughts racing. Sabrina's comments reverberated repeatedly. Locked up. Destroys.

I was at a loss for what to believe.

I just knew that I needed time away from them both.

That choice was short-lived.

My door was knocked on less than an hour later. Dennis's voice came before I could even ask who it was.

"Open the door, Hannah."

My heart fell.

I slowly opened it.

Without waiting for permission, he entered. His eyes were stormy and dark. "You saw Darren once more."

I went cold.

He snarled, "Don't tell me lies." "Sabrina informed me. You inquired about him.

I retreated and said, "She confronted me." "She surrounded me and began to speak."

Dennis gave a sour laugh. Naturally, she did. Drama was always her thing. However, she is not incorrect.

"Whatever became of Darren?" I insisted. "What sent him away?"

He came to a halt. "You shouldn't worry about that."

"It's right now."

He balled his hands into fists. He is unstable. Even before he met you, he was completely enamoured with you. He began spiralling after the drowning tragedy. Every day, draw your face. Speaking to himself. Claiming that it was fate. Before he hurt anyone, we had to send him away.

I gaped at him in horror. "What prevented anyone from speaking up?"

"Because our family would have been ripped apart by the press," he stated. We buried it. We buried everything else, too.

I was at a loss for words.

He took a step toward her. "Hannah, you are loved." I'm attempting to keep you safe.

I gave a headshake. "You're a control freak. Not me.

He clenched his jaw. "You believe Darren can show you more love?"

To be honest, I responded, "I don't know." "But I'm entitled to know."

He gave me a betrayed expression. "After all this, you're going with him?"

"I'm picking myself," I said.

My phone rang.

Dennis remained still.

I looked down. My blood ran cold as I saw the name on the computer.

Sophie Moore, a friend from high school.

It had been years since I had spoken to her.

I replied. "Sophie?"

She spoke haltingly. I saw you on the news, Hannah. With the twins of Wexler.

"Yes, it is complex."

She said, "I remembered something, but I didn't want to say anything." Regarding the summer when you nearly drowned.

I went cold. "How about it?"

She inhaled deeply. "There was no accident."

The room whirled.

I took a seat with my hands on the couch's edge. "You mean that it wasn't an accident?"

Sophie remarked, "I was present that day." "Close enough to see, but not close enough to assist."

"Observe what?"

She replied, her voice breaking, "Dennis and Darren were fighting near the river before it happened." It appeared to be serious. Then I witnessed one of them push you.

My lungs were empty.

"No," I said. "I slipped." I've always held that belief.

"I also thought so," she remarked. However, I recall how one of them ran. The other, on the other hand, simply looked. As if he desired it to occur.

"Which one?" With hardly more than a whisper, I asked.

Quiet.

"I'm not sure," Sophie said. They had the same appearance. However, one of them attempted to assist. The other vanished.

I was trembling all around.

"Why are you just now telling me this?" I inquired.

"Because when Darren stared at you in that news clip, I saw the same look again," she explained. "I'm not sure if you're safe."

Dennis was still standing in front of me when I looked up. His face was unreadable and calm.

Sophie said quietly, "You have to find out what happened." "Before it's too late."

The line died.

I sat there with a million ideas crashing into one another, numb.

That day, who was actuat the river?

Who came to my rescue?

And who tried to drown me?

Sophie’s voice trembled through the phone: “One of them pushed you.”

I dropped the line, trembling. When I looked up, Dennis was still in my living room—silent, watching me.

Behind him, the door creaked open.

And there stood Darren.

Both brothers. Both staring.

And neither of them blinked.