The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 166

Her True Name

ELIJAH’S POV:

Jacob and I, along with one of our old buddies from college who was now a very successful private investigator, had spent weeks digging through records, tracking down information, following every possible lead.

And we’d found them. Her real parents. Their graves. And even better, we’d found family members who were still alive.

When I’d first told Hannah what we’d discovered, she’d instantly burst into tears, staring at me with complete disbelief written all over her face.

“Don’t joke around about something like this,” she’d said, her voice shaking. “Please. Because I mentioned this to you once, just once, and I thought maybe it had slipped your mind.”

I’d cupped her face gently. “You really think something that important would slip my mind? Come on, Hannah. You should know me better than that by now.”

She’d thrown herself into my arms, sobbing with relief and gratitude and a thousand other emotions all mixed together.

After she’d calmed down enough to think straight, she’d run upstairs to grab a sweater and fix her makeup. Then we headed out immediately. The kids were at school, so we had the whole day.

The cemetery where her parents were buried was about an hour and five minutes away by car. When I’d mentioned we could take the helicopter to get there faster, Hannah had laughed.

“That would be way too dramatic,” she’d said, shaking her head. “Let’s just drive. I need the time to prepare myself mentally anyway.’

The first ten minutes of the drive had been lighter. We’d sung along badly to songs on the radio, stealing kisses at red lights, holding hands across the center console. I’d been trying to keep her spirits up, keep her from spiraling into anxiety.

But after those first ten minutes, Hannah had grown quiet. She’d turned to stare out the window, watching the scenery pass by. Her fingers had started tapping nervously against her thigh, a tell that she was deep in her own thoughts.

I’d kept glancing at her, desperately wanting to reach out and comfort her but also understanding that she needed space to process what was about to happen. This was huge. Life-changing. She was about to visit the graves of parents she’d never known she had.

Our driver kept the speed steady but quick, and I was pleased with how smoothly the trip was going.

When we finally pulled into the small, quiet cemetery tucked between tall cedar trees, Hannah inhaled deeply. It was like the sort of breath you take when you’re preparing yourself for a battle you haven’t been trained for.

“We’re here,” I said softly, reaching over to squeeze her hand.

She nodded, her throat working as she swallowed hard. I could see her trying to gather her courage.

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