Chapter 1104: Return to Northfield

Hannah listened to Theodore's sincere apology. She smiled lightly. "What happened then had nothing to do with you," she said. "It was my choice. There's no need for you to feel guilty."

"But if not for me, you wouldn't have returned and put yourself in danger," Theodore replied.

"Then Una or Oscar, or both, would have died," Hannah stated bluntly.

Theodore was startled. He knew that without Hannah, someone else would have perished, but it still felt unfair that she had risked her life.

"Don't worry," Hannah reassured him. "I traded my life for theirs because I owed Cian a life debt. It has nothing to do with you. Besides, I'm alive, proving your decision wasn't wrong. If it were Oscar or Una, they'd be dead."

"That makes me feel better," Theodore admitted, "but how did you survive that explosion?"

"Do you believe Lillian took pity on me at the last moment?" Hannah asked directly.

"What do you mean?"

"She gave me time to escape," Hannah explained plainly.

"She did that? After everything?!" Theodore exclaimed incredulously.

"I know, right? Even I was surprised. But people are emotional creatures; even at death's door, kindness can emerge."

"Thank goodness she had some compassion left," Theodore said heavily. "You sacrificed yourself so she could save her daughter!" He paused. "Why didn't anyone know you were alive? Was it to prevent Oscar from finding you?"

"He's not important enough for me to abandon my parents and son," Hannah replied, a gentle yet disdainful smile playing on her lips, signifying the absence of any remaining feelings between them. "Lillian gave me time to escape, but the explosion seriously injured me. I don't know how I was rescued at sea, but I was coincidentally saved by the Queen of Jolencami. I suffered severe brain trauma and amnesia, forgetting everything, even my identity. I assumed a new life."

"So you remember now?" Theodore asked.

"Yes."

"And you still didn't return? And you married Doyle?" Theodore was surprised.

"Theodore, our relationship isn't strong enough for me to explain everything." Explaining would be excessive. What happened afterward was her own business, none of Theodore's or Oscar's concern.

Her eyes flickered, as if she saw Oscar. He saw her and Theodore; her in the driver's seat, Theodore talking excitedly beside her. His arrival had soured the pleasant encounter. He felt her gaze, a strong rejection. Theodore, sensing it, turned to see Oscar.

Oscar hadn't expected this reunion after seeing Hannah's earlier expression when he left the ward. In such a large parking lot, avoidance was impossible. He watched as she rolled up her window, calmly put on sunglasses, hiding most of her face and concealing her emotions. She accelerated, leaving coldly without looking back. Oscar didn't dare to look at her, accepting her indifferent departure, her retreat from his world.

"Oscar," Theodore called.

"We're going back," Oscar said. "We can leave now."

"But I haven't seen Manuel's daughter yet!" Theodore protested.

"There will be plenty of time later."

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Theodore muttered, but followed Oscar to the car. "We don't have anything else to do here; staying a few more days won't hurt."

"You can stay," Oscar said. After all, the only person Hannah didn't want to see was him.

"Forget it, I'm coming with you," Theodore said, quickly getting into the car. "I'm afraid you'll be depressed." He feared Oscar's reaction to Hannah's coldness.

Oscar didn't respond. He was accustomed to the pain in his heart since Hannah's death years ago.

Susan stayed in the hospital for five days before being discharged and returning to Northfield. Hannah saw them off, often visiting Susan and Salem since learning Oscar had left Jolencami. She sent them to the airport; Jolencami wasn't her home, and she, too, would leave.

"Hannah, when will you come back?" Susan asked, reluctant to part.

Hannah smiled slightly. "We'll meet soon."

"You're evading me again," Susan said. "The last time, we didn't see each other for six months. If you were pregnant, we wouldn't see each other for three to five years. Now that I have a baby…"

"It won't be that long," Manuel interrupted.

"What did you say? I just gave birth, and you're already restricting me? You'll imprison me for life!" Susan accused, feeling confined by Manuel's post-partum restrictions.

Hannah chuckled at their exchange. "Alright, you're still in confinement. Don't stand for too long; get on the plane." Manuel had arranged a private plane.

"But I don't want to leave you," Susan said, aggrieved.

"Don't worry, I'll see you soon."

"Why isn't Doyle here?" Susan suddenly asked.