Chapter 182: A Call from Charles

Hannah awoke late the following morning, having stayed up late talking to Susan. Her phone rang, jarring her from a slumber she wished to prolong. She initially ignored it, but after a while, squinted, and reached for the device. Before she could touch it, the ringing ceased. Oscar had answered.

"She's still sleeping," he said. There was no response. "We spent a few crazy hours last night. We'll talk later," Oscar added, starting to hang up.

"Are you showing off?" a cold voice demanded. Oscar finally registered the caller. He’d been drowsy when he answered, not recognizing the voice. Both he and Hannah had slept poorly; once he slept, Oscar slept deeply and resented interruptions. But the instant he recognized Charles, he sobered.

"Mr. Sawyer, what are you calling for at this hour? And you actually called my wife, huh?" Oscar taunted.

Hearing "Mr. Sawyer," Hannah opened her eyes. Oscar sat up, leaning against the headboard. Hannah hesitated, wondering if she should retrieve her phone. She loathed wasting time on Charles.

"Of course I'm calling to speak with her," Charles replied coldly.

"I just told you we stayed up late! She's still sleeping. Mr. Sawyer, you never learn to be considerate, do you? No wonder Hannah never hesitated to divorce you," Oscar retorted sharply.

"What are you so complacent about? Don't you know how boring it is to sleep with her? She's like a corpse in bed! How can you have fun? Are you tired of hot chicks and trying something different? You'll get bored soon!"

"Charles, there's something you don't know about yourself," Oscar replied casually.

"What do you mean?"

"You were dumped by Hannah. Your scorn only highlights your inferiority. It doesn't change the fact you were dumped!"

"Oscar!"

"Besides," Oscar interrupted, "Mr. Sawyer, your enjoyment during sex depends on your skills. Even if you're impotent, that doesn't mean I am. And how wonderful it is to sleep with her? You'll never know."

"Stop lying!"

"Believe it or not. It doesn't matter. I'm just saying, of all the women I've been with, Hannah is the best. She's a treasure."

Charles's face twisted with rage; his hand trembled. He felt like strangling both Hannah and Oscar. They had humiliated him, especially Hannah, whose appearance in today's headlines contrasted sharply with his own humiliation. Charles was actually calling to apologize. Still angry, he intended to swallow his pride, win Hannah back, or at least drive a wedge between her and Oscar. He swore no one else would possess the woman he'd failed to capture. Whoever won Hannah's heart would be his enemy. He hadn't expected Oscar to answer, much less imply they'd spent a passionate night together. For years, Charles's intimacy with Hannah had barely extended beyond a kiss—usually a simple one. Initially uninterested, he now felt a strong possessiveness.

Burning with fury, Charles hung up. Oscar sneered; his scorn was palpable. Hannah, initially annoyed that Oscar answered her phone, felt better seeing his smug expression. Pissing Charles off was deeply satisfying.

"Hey, I think I should verify what I just said," Oscar said, gazing at her. Hannah smelled the danger in his hormones; he looked predatory. Clenching the bedsheet, she felt a tremor of fear.

"I want to know if you're a treasure for me…" He moved closer. She pushed him back, nervous.

"I might disappoint you," she said quickly.

"Really?" Oscar frowned, his eyes filled with desire.

"I barely know anything about sex. You don't need to try me."

"So…" He drew closer still. Her heart pounded wildly. Charles, she thought, was partly responsible for this.

"So, Hannah, have you ever tried it?"

"What are you talking about? Get away from me!" Hannah pushed him harder.

"Have you ever had sex?" Oscar asked.

Hannah froze, speechless. His brow furrowed at her reaction.

"Who was it?" His voice was chilling.

"Are you sure you want to know?" she asked, provocatively.

His face darkened. She found this pleasing. Men, she thought, were inherently possessive. Whether he loved her or not, he hated the thought of her with another man.

"What? I can't sleep with someone else while you sleep with whoever you want…"

Before she could finish, he kissed her, silencing her. She stared, stunned. Would he undress her next? Hannah realized she was in deep trouble.