Chapter 1132: Gradual Change

"Cough!" Oscar nearly choked on his saliva. Una's true identity meant she should call him "uncle."

"Did I say it wrong?" Una asked, lowering her head. "I can't call you 'Mom' or 'Auntie.' What should I call you?"

A child's tears held potent power. Hannah swallowed the words she'd almost spoken, settling instead on, "Call me whatever you like."

Una's eyes lit up. "I want to call you Mom!" she declared, looking directly at Hannah. What a clever girl.

"Is that okay?" she asked, her eyes welling up again.

Hannah felt a pang of regret that Una wasn't a star; her acting was superb.

"Mm-hmm," Hannah murmured softly.

Una's tears instantly gave way to a smile. Hannah felt a subtle sense of being manipulated by this family. Picking up her fork, she felt a gaze upon her. Meeting Oscar's eyes, she saw a smile he didn't even try to conceal.

Caught, Oscar quickly averted his gaze. "I'll go get my food," he mumbled, leaving in a fluster. Hannah resumed eating silently.

"Mom, why is your egg heart-shaped?" Una asked after a long comparison with Salem's ordinary eggs.

"Do you want it?" Hannah asked.

"Can I have it?"

"Of course," Hannah replied, handing over the heart-shaped egg she wouldn't have eaten anyway. Una beamed.

Oscar returned with another plate, looking displeased but determined to remain composed. He ate quietly, his head down. The familiar flavors evoked memories of their past, but any hope of reconciliation had faded.

She finished eating without further conversation. Salem and Una, carrying their backpacks, left for school with Max providing transport. Before they left, Hannah told Max, "I've spoken to the principal about your situation. Resolve this soon."

Max nodded shyly and left with Salem and Una. Hannah watched them go.

Back in the living room, Oscar was already removing his apron, sitting on the couch with a newspaper. Despite being in his thirties, he remained slender; even an apron couldn't hide his model-like appearance.

Hannah passed him without a word.

"Hannah, want to go for a walk?" Oscar asked suddenly.

Hannah frowned. Wasn't that dangerous? She'd come to his house for safety.

"I'm here with you," Oscar said, sensing her apprehension.

"No, thanks."

She started to leave, but Oscar asked, "What would you like for lunch?"

"Anything."

"Pig's ribs…"

"Oscar, don't you work today?" Hannah interrupted, finding his talkativeness annoying. He seemed much the same as he had long ago.

"I took the day off," Oscar replied. "Injured arm. Need rest."

A man needing rest was still cooking. Hannah chose to remain silent.

"I want to rest," Hannah said, turning to leave.

"Okay, I won't bother you," Oscar replied, his obedience almost irritating.

She paused, then turned back. Oscar looked up from his newspaper, a smile playing unconsciously on his lips. His smile was undeniably attractive.

Hannah quickly looked away. "Could I use your computer? Or, buy me one? I'll transfer the money…"

"I'll get you one," he said, leaving swiftly as if she'd abandon the idea if he delayed.

He returned with a laptop.

"Thank you."

"The code is your birthday."

Hannah was confused.

"The PIN," he clarified.

"Okay."

She returned to her room, breathing deeply; being under Oscar's gaze made her feel pressured. She placed the laptop on the table, kneeling to open it. She typed in her birthday. A photo of her, with her original face, appeared. She didn't recognize when it was taken, but she looked sweet and happy. The sight felt strangely unfamiliar. She touched her cheek, reinforcing a thought forming in her mind.

Hannah logged into her email to work. Though she'd left Jolencami and Doyle, her designs remained; new products were launching soon. She'd already completed half at Jolencami.

Lost in her work, she realized she needed coffee—a work habit she'd missed.

Heading to the lobby, she saw Oscar. He smiled.

"What do you need?" he asked, seemingly reading her thoughts.

"Coffee?"

"I'll make some."

"I can do it myself."

"You might not find everything."

"Then tell me where things are."

Oscar considered this briefly. "No."

Hannah gritted her teeth, starting to leave. Then, she changed her mind. "Mocha, thank you."

"Okay," Oscar said smugly.

Annoyed, Hannah couldn't focus, saving her files and waiting for the coffee.

Bored, she opened a folder of random video files. Since he'd let her use his computer, there shouldn't be any secrets. But the video's contents left her speechless.