Chapter 1116: Escape
Doyle's body was stiff, a trace of panic still etched on his face after Besse's suicide. He hadn't anticipated seeing Besse tonight, much less her using this method to threaten him. His fingers trembled involuntarily.
Hannah, too, was surprised by the news. Had Besse truly ended her life after awakening from such a long coma? Or was it all an act, a play designed to force Doyle's departure? She remained outwardly calm.
The phone rang again. This time, Doyle answered without hesitation. It was Queen Carol.
"Doyle, I'm taking Besse to the hospital. If anything happens to her again... our mother-son relationship is over!"
The call abruptly ended. Doyle's hand, still trembling, held the phone as a message appeared on the screen: a picture of Besse lying in a pool of blood. The image evoked the memory of her car accident years ago, the same horrifying sight. Despite his efforts to control his emotions, he shivered uncontrollably, his eyes reddening as he glanced at Hannah in the bed.
Hannah, wrapped tightly in the quilt, regarded him with indifference.
"If this is your plan..." he began. Hannah, still nervous, sensed his suspicion.
"I will never let you go!" He left with these harsh words, unable to bear witnessing Besse's suffering, and departed with several others.
Moments later, the sound of a car engine faded downstairs, the urgency of their departure unmistakable. Silence returned to the room. Hannah breathed a sigh of relief. Whether Doyle suspected anything or not, she had managed to deceive him. Turning to the balcony, she saw Oscar entering from outside. He had witnessed everything. There was no need for explanations, no guilt.
"Shall we go?" Oscar asked.
His question referred to her leaving after her intimacy with Doyle. For Oscar, it might have happened sooner; he simply hadn't anticipated catching them tonight. The sight had caused him intense pain. He believed he could accept any facet of Hannah, anything about her. Yet, seeing her with another man… he wanted to kill Doyle, despite the consequences.
But he feared driving Hannah further away. He couldn't fathom her feelings for Doyle. If she had no feelings for him, she wouldn't have slept with him, he reasoned.
He awaited her answer. If she wished to leave, he would take her; otherwise, he would leave her. It wasn't their first separation; the pain, though ever-present, was something he endured. His only desire was her happiness; his own well-being was inconsequential. He was numb.
Hannah glanced at him. "Let's go."
She had always needed freedom, refusing to be controlled. This was true for him, then, and now for Doyle. His attempt to clip her wings, to imprison her, was a mistake. Perhaps a different approach would have yielded different results.
"Turn around," Hannah said, needing to dress; she was nearly naked beneath the quilt. Oscar, seeing the blanket clutched tightly, understood. He laughed at himself, knowing he had no right to dictate her relationships.
He turned. Hannah quickly dressed and joined him.
"Let's go."
They moved towards the balcony. It was the second floor. Oscar easily jumped down, landing softly on the lawn. He gestured for Hannah to follow. The height intimidated her, but she reluctantly leaped into his arms.
She wasn't heavy, but Oscar held her firmly, their closeness undeniable. Hannah quickly disengaged, but in that instant, Oscar grabbed her hand and pulled her into the nearby foliage as a guard passed.
They held their breath, Oscar ready to act. The guard briefly checked the area, then left. Relieved, they noticed their hands clasped together. Hannah gently withdrew hers, the warmth fading. Oscar, emotionless, surveyed their surroundings before leading her to the large tree.
"Hannah, climb up first."
Hannah eyed the trunk skeptically; she couldn't climb it alone.
"Step on my shoulders. There are branches above. Theodore is waiting."
Oscar crouched, Hannah stepped onto his shoulders, and he helped her reach a branch. With effort, she climbed higher.
Then, a shout cut through the night.
"Who's there?!"
They had been discovered.