Chapter 1125: The Talk Between Hannah and Justine
Hannah laughed. She and Susan were so close that even Susan's anger didn't intimidate her. Hannah found Susan's unique brand of anger quite amusing.
"No," Hannah explained, "it's just that they're too smart."
"Aren't you admitting it?" Susan challenged.
"I didn't call you stupid," Hannah retorted.
"You're being ridiculous!" Susan huffed.
Hannah chuckled. She mused that a chat with Susan would be a better cure for depression than therapy.
Justine then interjected, "Justine said you're in confinement. Remember, avoid anger; your emotions affect your breast milk, and an upset baby drinks unhappy milk."
"That's nonsense," Susan scoffed, though her mood softened slightly. Motherhood magnified even small anxieties; children were truly precious burdens.
"The past is the past," Hannah stated, wanting to leave the old hurts behind and build a new life with her family, ideally in a familiar community. The past felt as distant as dust in the wind.
"So, are you and Oscar back together?" Susan abruptly asked, still invested in their relationship despite Manuel's assurances to the contrary.
"No. Didn't Manuel tell you?"
"He did, but I don't believe him," Susan insisted confidently. "Being single again, Oscar won't miss his chance!"
Unseen, Oscar sat on the sofa chatting with Manuel, inadvertently overhearing their conversation. He pursed his lips as Manuel fell speechless. Discussing others openly was certainly his wife's style.
Hannah clarified, "I'm temporarily staying at Oscar's for Salem's sake and my safety. Oscar respects me greatly."
Oscar's fingers trembled. Hannah's words, though not exactly praise, felt like acknowledgment, sending his heart racing.
"How does he respect you?" Susan pressed. "Hasn't he touched you?"
Hannah blushed. This conversation, with Edward and Justine present, was inappropriate. Susan's outspoken nature was a problem.
Manuel intervened, "Susan, talk to Hannah in the room." He feared further explosive pronouncements from his wife.
"Fine," Susan conceded, leading Hannah upstairs.
"Hannah," Justine called, "I need to speak with you alone."
Hannah agreed. She suspected Justine's words wouldn't be pleasant, but as Susan's mother-in-law, Manuel's mother, and Oscar's aunt, refusal was impossible.
"Mum!" Susan protested, as Justine led Hannah away. "You stole my son, and now my friend? You love taking things!"
"Didn't you steal my son first?" Justine calmly countered. "I held no grudge, nor did I steal anything from you."
Susan had never bested Justine in an argument.
Hannah followed Justine to the second-floor balcony, where they sat in the warm winter sun. A servant, at Justine's direction, brought them hot tea.
"Justine, I can pour my own tea."
"It's alright," Justine replied, pouring the tea.
"Susan loves this tea," Hannah observed.
"Indeed. We keep plenty on hand for her confinement," Justine responded.
Her kindness towards Susan felt natural, unforced, and devoid of ostentation. Family, she seemed to believe, should simply love and care for one another.
Hannah smiled slightly. "Susan's lucky to have a mother-in-law like you."
Justine sighed softly. "Oscar's mother was kind too."
Hannah's smile faded, but she remained silent.
"Had she lived longer..." Justine's voice choked with tears. The loss still pained her.
"I know you don't want to discuss Oscar's family, and Manuel told me about your relationship. I'm not trying to influence you, but as Oscar's only remaining elder, I feel I should tell you some things. Consider it an elder's nagging."
"Please," Hannah responded.
Justine, seeing Hannah's calm, gentle smile, felt a pang of regret. Hannah, she thought, was perfect for Oscar.
Justine inhaled deeply, preparing herself. "Oscar has probably told you about the Wells family, so I won't repeat that, but let me tell you something about his personality, something many don't know."
Hannah listened quietly, receptive to Justine's perspective on the man.