Chapter 1152: Persuasion

"So, how are things between you and Hannah?" Theodore asked curiously. A couple of months had passed; surely there'd been some progress, he thought.

"Hannah's leaving tomorrow," Oscar replied.

"What?!" Theodore's eyes widened. "She's still leaving?" He couldn't comprehend Oscar's acceptance of this.

"Yeah," Oscar said heavily, setting down his pen and rising from his chair. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Theodore. They both lit up, inhaling deeply.

"You can't keep her here?" Theodore asked.

"I can't risk making her unhappy," Oscar exhaled, "I have to respect her choice." He added, "Hannah will never forgive me."

"But did you apologize? Did you explain everything sincerely? You both keep everything bottled up! You need to talk it out," Theodore urged, growing excited. "Look, she left Doyle but chose to go home! That means she hasn't fallen for anyone else. Isn't there still something there?"

Oscar smoked silently, shaken by Theodore's words, yet consumed by fear of Hannah's anger. He craved her presence, yet she was leaving. Yesterday, she'd mentioned the one-month deadline. He hadn't dared intervene, escaping the thought by arriving early to work each day.

Oscar extinguished his cigarette, signaling the end of the conversation. "Go," he said. "I need to work." He dismissed Theodore without further discussion.

Feeling helpless—Oscar always coped through work—Theodore left. However, he couldn't focus. Little Bunny haunted him, and he couldn't accept Oscar and Hannah's separation.

After hesitating, Theodore called Hannah. She was packing. She wasn't taking much, but it was still a move from the capital back to Kensbury, her lifelong home.

Surprised by the call, she sat on the sofa, taking a breath and getting a glass of water before answering.

"Hello, Theodore?"

"You have my number?"

"Good memory," Hannah replied.

"I thought you saved it specifically," Theodore said, disappointed.

"Do you need something?"

"Oscar said you're leaving tomorrow."

"Yeah." She hadn't expected Oscar to tell him. He wasn't one for open expression.

"Why leave? Can't you and Oscar work things out? You were together for so long, so passionate. Why leave now, when you could reunite?"

"We were passionate then. Years have passed; feelings fade."

"How? Oscar never stopped loving you."

"My relationship with Oscar is none of your concern."

"I don't want to interfere, but I can't stand by! Don't you know how much he loves you? Yes, he betrayed your trust, but it was for his family, for his country! He had no choice! He married Lillian Collins only for Cian's child!"

"I know," Hannah said calmly. "I understand his struggles and why he did it. But Theodore, when you're hurt repeatedly, you lose feelings. With Oscar, it's irreparable. Talking is pointless."

"What if I told you Oscar has been faithful this whole time?" Theodore said slowly.

Hannah paused, clutching her phone.

"He married Lillian Collins but never touched her," Theodore continued passionately. "He hasn't touched another woman, before or after you. You're the only one."

"Why do I admire Oscar? Why did I follow him? It wasn't just my father," Theodore said excitedly. "He's the most loyal person I know! He took on everything for the Ye family, for the Wells family, for Cian's child. Even when you were thought dead, he remained pure, for you! Did no women approach him? He refused them all!"

Theodore, breathless, paused. "Hannah, no one knows how much Oscar loves you! If there's any feeling left, for him, for Salem, please don't leave him. Don't underestimate how lonely these years have been."

As he finished, Theodore's eyes welled up. Damn! He'd hoped to reconcile them, but he'd become emotional instead.