Chapter 9: Hannah's Condition

Emmanuel's words held a compelling force, but Hannah, after a moment's hesitation, sneered. "Understand? Why should I understand? Why should I try to understand you? Have you ever tried to understand us?"

Emmanuel was speechless. It wasn't that he hadn't tried to understand Hannah and her family; he knew they desired a strong, stable Quillen family, hoping Mackenzie's husband would be a wealthy businessman who could provide protection and support. Clearly, he didn't meet their expectations.

"Ms. Hannah, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," he said, keeping his responses brief. He didn't want to engage with her questions, nor did he want to prolong the unproductive discussion. He was eager to go home and check on his mother.

Regardless, he wouldn't abandon Mackenzie because of Hannah's words. They had shared so much and come so far. He wouldn't easily give up on their relationship.

"Hold on," Hannah called after him. If Emmanuel left, her time would be wasted. As a prominent businesswoman in the beauty industry, her time was valuable. She'd rescheduled several important clients for this conversation and wouldn't let it end abruptly.

"Do you have something else to discuss, Ms. Hannah?" Emmanuel remained calm, refusing to treat her as an adversary.

"Since you won't discuss money, but rather love, what if I could introduce you to a woman you like, someone who fulfills your idea of love? Would you leave Mackenzie then?" Hannah's irrationality was evident.

Emmanuel, momentarily speechless, couldn't afford to argue. He replied casually, "If such a possibility existed, of course."

He believed his heart wouldn't change. It had taken twenty-eight years to find a woman he genuinely loved. How could he easily find another, especially with someone already in his heart? Women like Claudette Lenoir and Sarah Quillen were exceptional, yet he didn't feel the same depth of emotion for them as he did for Mackenzie.

"Very well," Hannah responded, a glimmer of hope in her voice. "Your words are precise!"

Emmanuel smiled casually and left. He wasn't willing to waste any more time.

Hannah's mood soured. She grabbed her drink, downed it in one gulp, and was preparing to leave when she experienced intense abdominal pain.

"Chauffeur! Chauffeur!"

"Ms. Hannah, what's wrong?"

"Quick! Take me to the hospital!"

"Oh! Alright!"

Half an hour later, Hannah lay in a bed at Beacon Hospital, where Juan personally examined her. His relationship with the Quillen family, beginning with Hannah, ran deep. The beauty salon frequently dealt with medical issues, and Hannah had often sought Juan's advice. They frequently dined together; their relationship was almost sibling-like.

"Ms. Hannah, your condition, while not overly serious, is unfortunately difficult to cure."