Chapter 1106 Coercion

"Doyle, I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind. I can't marry you," Hannah said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Doyle looked at her, sadness evident in his eyes, his emotions carefully controlled.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me, your kindness when I was at my lowest. But I don't love you. And I can't marry someone I don't love."

She wanted no protracted farewell. In matters of the heart, indecision only prolonged pain. She preferred hurting him once to inflicting repeated wounds by leading him on.

Doyle's heartbreak was palpable. His eyes were red-rimmed as he asked, "Have you ever liked me?"

"No."

"Even when you couldn't remember everything?"

"No."

A single tear traced a path down Doyle's cheek, yet a faint smile touched his lips. "Hannah, confessing my feelings took courage."

"I know," Hannah replied coldly, aware of the difficulty of his confession, knowing the pain it would cause another woman, and the guilt he would carry. She acknowledged his investment in their relationship but couldn't reciprocate; one-sided love led nowhere. Forcing a relationship only hurt everyone involved.

"Do you like someone else?" Doyle asked abruptly.

Hannah pursed her lips. "No one."

"Oscar?"

"No." Her denial was absolute.

"No?" Doyle pressed.

"There was something between us once, but those feelings are gone. There's no one else. I want to be alone. Please respect my decision."

"What if I don't?"

"That's not negotiable." Her tone was icy.

Doyle's jaw clenched. Hannah glanced at him. The cleanest break was to leave, eliminating any chance of future encounters. She was nothing but trouble for him. A world without Hannah would be best for Doyle and Besse.

Hannah turned and left, walking away with apparent indifference. Despite their unfriendly parting, she considered them friends and would always hold him in her good graces. Her feelings toward Doyle and Oscar were vastly different. Provided Doyle did nothing deeply disappointing, that is.

Hannah's progress halted. Several men in black suits blocked her path. Doyle appeared behind her, placing himself at her side.

"Hannah, I'm sorry, but I'm too selfish to let you go," he said coldly.

Hannah laughed sarcastically. His actions were clearly coercive.

She turned to him. "You're just annoying me, like Oscar."

"If only I mattered to you as much as Oscar…"

Hatred filled Hannah's cold gaze.

"I don't want to hurt you," Doyle said, ignoring her stare. He turned and walked away.

The men moved to restrain her.

"Don't touch me! I can walk myself!" Hannah insisted.

She followed Doyle.

Susan and Manuel had been back in Kensbury City for a week. This week, their daughter had become Edward and Justine's. Edward and Justine's absence during the birth resulted in their subsequent scolding of Manuel and Susan. They were allowed only breastfeeding visits with their daughter; holding her was forbidden.

Susan couldn't endure it.

"They could have made a baby themselves instead of stealing ours," she muttered resentfully.

Her attempts to reclaim her daughter failed. She was even pressured to have another child. Susan sulked, amusing Manuel.

"Didn't you dislike your daughter? Didn't you say she was ugly?"

"She's mine!" Susan exclaimed angrily.

"Consider the bond between a granddaughter and her grandparents," Manuel soothed.

"Manuel, you love your daughter, why don't you resist?"

"Resistance is futile."

"More importantly," Manuel said, smiling, "I love you more than our daughter."

Susan's temper softened at his bright smile. She hugged him and kissed him.

The door burst open.

Susan recoiled, seeing Justine standing there, holding her daughter. Justine was, Susan thought, her lifelong nemesis.

"The baby's hungry," Justine said calmly, unfazed by interrupting a kissing couple.

Despite her sulking, Susan nursed her daughter, the act now almost instinctive, even before Manuel and Justine. Motherhood had changed her. As long as the baby was content, many things seemed forgivable.

"Manuel, can you come out for a moment?" Justine addressed Manuel, who had been captivated by the baby's feeding. He was acutely aware of where the baby was suckling... His cheeks flushed, but he quickly recovered and followed Justine.

"What's wrong?" Manuel asked.

"I heard Hannah's still alive."

Manuel frowned. "Who told you?"

"Your wife."

Susan's inability to keep a secret was confirmed.

Manuel nodded. "Yes, she's in Jolencami, but may return soon."

"How is she?"

"Fine."

"She and Oscar…"

"Not hopeful," Manuel admitted.

"But Oscar…"

"Doomed to a lifetime of loneliness."

"Let me finish!" Justine protested.

Manuel smiled. "Go ahead."

"I want to see Hannah."