Chapter 1193: Three-Year Sentence

Three days later, Little Bunny returned to filming. Theodore's trial was scheduled for a month hence. Little Bunny did not attend. Oscar, Susan, Manuel, and Hannah arrived in the capital early, quietly taking their seats in a corner of the courtroom.

Theodore, in prison garb and with short hair, sat in the defendant's box. Susan felt a pang of sympathy at his appearance.

"How could Theodore be so foolish?" she whispered to Manuel. "He knew it was illegal."

Manuel remained silent. He found Theodore difficult to judge; his impulsiveness often stemmed from a desire to help others, even at great personal risk or legal consequence.

"What about Little Bunny?" Susan asked, glancing around. She remembered Little Bunny's distraught phone call days earlier. Her absence on this crucial day was unsettling.

Susan reached for her phone to call, but Manuel stopped her.

"Don't," he said firmly. "There's a reason she's not here."

"What reason?"

"Theodore doesn't want her here."

"But he loves her! How could he not want to see her?"

Manuel explained, "Remember what Theodore said? He doesn't want her to feel guilty or obligated. He wants her to be free. If she wants to move on, she shouldn't be here; it would give him false hope. If she doesn't want to leave him, she shouldn't be here either; it would only distress him. Her absence is the best outcome. He'll believe she's moved on and started a new life."

"So, she's forgotten him or not?" Susan remained perplexed.

"I think the latter is more likely," Manuel mused. "She's reassuring him in her own way, living the life he wishes for her. But that's just speculation. We'll only know the truth after Theodore's release. Who knows what the next few years will bring?"

Susan frowned at Manuel's often overly-analytical pronouncements. He could be incredibly circuitous. Nevertheless, she refrained from calling Little Bunny.

The trial commenced in silence. Theodore admitted to abusing his power, displaying a contrite demeanor. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment. He immediately waived his right to appeal.

News of the three-year sentence for abuse of power spread rapidly and was soon officially confirmed. Little Bunny read the news on her phone. She knew Theodore was in court that day, but her overseas filming schedule prevented her return. She chose not to return, wanting to avoid giving Theodore the impression she hadn't moved on. She didn't want him burdened by her guilt either. This, she thought, was mutual support, even from a distance.

Theodore was taken to prison, and the others left the courtroom. Oscar's group exited discreetly. Susan, Hannah, and Manuel accompanied Oscar.

As they walked, Susan sighed, "With Theodore gone, something feels… missing. Empty."

They all felt it. Theodore's vibrant presence had always enlivened their atmosphere. His absence created an unsettling quiet.

"Speaking of missing," Susan said to Oscar, "you must feel it worse than anyone."

"Like losing a hand?" she asked.

Oscar nodded, but more significantly, he had lost someone who mirrored his thoughts.

"Drinks?" Susan offered.

Oscar had been remarkably unlucky lately; his success masked a profound loneliness, further complicated by his brother's estrangement.

"Hmm," Oscar agreed. The depression of Theodore's incarceration made the prospect of alcohol appealing.

"My place?" Susan suggested.

"Sure."

"Hannah's coming too," Susan declared, pulling Hannah along. Escape seemed impossible.

"And you can see Salem," she added, attempting to entice Hannah.

Hannah glared. Her time with Manuel had sharpened her wits.

"Get in!" Susan, ignoring Hannah's protest, ushered her into Oscar's car.

Oscar watched Hannah intently during the drive, finding comfort in her presence. Theodore's ordeal had been taxing.

They arrived at Oscar's house. Salem and Una were at kindergarten, leaving just four at the dinner table. Max opened several bottles of wine.

Susan announced, "I'm weaning myself off breastfeeding! Spicy food and alcohol here I come!"

Hannah looked at Susan. "You're not using Theodore as an excuse to drink, are you?"

"Partly," Susan conceded. "I am sad. Drinking helps, right, Your Excellency?" She deliberately used Oscar's title, intending to leave a tipsy Hannah in Oscar's care.

Oscar feared a drunken liaison with Hannah; he knew she might react violently. But her disappearance was a worse prospect.

"Theodore would cry himself to death if he knew this," Hannah said.

"He'd cry because he's not drinking! Can you even drink in prison? Should I send him some?" Susan asked, excitedly.

"Are you serious? Think, Susan," Manuel chided.

"I was joking!" Susan exclaimed.

Manuel remained silent, his lips pursed.

"You dislike me, don't you?" Susan’s voice was tinged with sadness. "Now I'm not breastfeeding your daughter, I'm useless!"

"You promised me a sexy dance when I was giving birth!" she continued, her voice growing more aggrieved. "Our daughter's seven or eight months old and weaned, and still no dance!"