The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never by Gilbert Soysal

Edwin’s face filled the screen, his smile beaming.

“Hannah! You finally decided to call.

I was starting to think you had disappeared.

”

“Stop it, you doomsayer.

I ought to thump you for that.

” From off—camera, a cheerful female voice interjected, and a hand playfully smacked Edwin on the head.

Edwin clutched his head, feigning pain.

“Have you no shame? I invited you over for dinner, and this is how you treat your host?”

As he shifted, Hannah caught sight of her old friend Lydia in the background.

Lydia hadn’t changed; she still made a big deal over the little things, which somehow always felt heartwarming.

“Hannah…” Lydia’s voice wavered as she looked into the camera, her eyes welling up.

“When are you coming back? Both Grace and I miss you terribly.

”

The camera shifted slightly, and Hannah could see Grace sitting beside Lydia, holding a piece of cake.

Grace looked somewhat uncomfortable at being seen on the screen.

Hannah gave Grace a warm smile.

it’s been so

Don’t you recognize me?”

“Yes.

to the screen, her

“I.

you

”

faces made Hannah laugh

you

grabbed the phone from Edwin, giving him

are you still hovering?

us here for

”

rolled his eyes and

help in the

just trying to enlist

also in

”

phone, Edwin addressed

“Besides, Hannah called me.

you hijacking my

to the

spare time, mostly to catch up

”

of sarcasm, “But Hannah, I didn’t expect you’d be so busy that you couldn’t even drop us

”

my end, which is why I didn’t contact you

”

“We’re aware,” they replied.

“Your racing incident has made headlines