Chapter 201: A Sweet Kiss

I let Max prepare some medicine. I’m going downstairs to get it,” Oscar said, finally leaving.

He left behind something she couldn't understand. What did he mean by saying she tortured him? She truly wanted his company tonight. How could that be considered torture?

Oscar returned shortly with a herbal soup. He placed it on the nightstand, then bent to lift her, helping her sit up. He held the medicine bottle to Hannah’s lips.

"Open your mouth," he instructed.

Hannah obeyed. She could have taken the medicine herself, but she found it hard to refuse him.

Oscar fed her the medicine.

"It tastes terrible," Hannah complained, her face wrinkling at the bitter taste.

"It's effective," he replied.

"But it's too bitter," she protested, refusing a second spoonful.

"Here, have some candy when you've finished," he offered.

"Can you just put the sugar in the medicine?" she asked.

"No," Oscar refused.

Hannah glared at him with grievance.

"It's a special medicine developed by my father's company. I was often injured as a child, and it always helped me recover quickly," Oscar explained.

"You were often injured?" Hannah asked, amazed. He was born into wealth, cared for since childhood. How could that be?

"Drink the medicine first, and I'll tell you," he said, noticing her doubt.

Hannah hesitated, admitting to herself that she was genuinely curious about him. Gritting her teeth, she drank the bitter medicine, her mouth numb by the time she finished.

She noticed candy in his hand. He peeled the wrapper from a creamy sweet and held it near her mouth. Mouth open, Hannah eagerly took it.

"Hmm..." The sweetness was there, but it was also the flavor of Oscar's mouth. He hadn't given her the candy; he’d taken it himself, covering her lips with his. In that moment, she understood; it was the sweetness of a kiss, and she surrendered to its tenderness.

In the quiet room, they embraced, the only sound the meeting of their lips. After a long time, Oscar released her swollen lips. Hannah felt a longing to remain with him forever.

She sensed something different in Oscar’s eyes, but he remained calm, his gaze fixed on her moist lips. Then, his lips moved.

"Still bitter?" he asked.

Hannah's face flushed, her mouth still full of the candy's flavor.

"Do you want another?" he asked. She felt like a little girl, spoiled and cherished.

"No," Hannah replied. She didn't usually like sweets, but the medicine had been so bitter. She wondered if she would now like creamy candy.

"Well, good night. It's late," he said.

"Do you want to sleep together?" Hannah blurted out.

"Hannah, the word 'sleep' has many meanings," Oscar said seriously.

Hannah knew he was flirting, but she felt no repulsion, unlike before.

"I want to talk to you," she said.

Oscar swallowed, seemingly anticipating this. He nodded. "You can start now."

It was late; they should have been tired, but Hannah couldn't sleep. Looking at his handsome face, she took a deep breath. "Oscar, do you care about my body?"

"Of course," he replied swiftly.

"Would you care if I'm not a virgin?"

"Yes," he said, his expression somber. Hannah was stunned; it was unexpected. A gentleman, after tonight, would surely say he only cared about her heart. What could she even say? She just glared at him.

Oscar smiled. "If I love a woman, I care about everything about her, including whether a single strand of her hair has been touched by another man."

Hannah thought, Men are the least predictable creatures.

"But it doesn't mean I would despise her," Oscar insisted sincerely. "I said I will never despise you."

So that’s another meaning of "he didn't despise her," Hannah mused, touched. She was easily swayed by him.

"So no matter what you become, whether you lose your virginity or not, I won't despise you."

His words were like a vow, assuring her he wouldn't abandon her. Overwhelmed with emotion, she struggled to understand her sensitivity. Had she become less indifferent? Or was he that skillful at rekindling her feelings?

She knew she no longer wanted to repress herself. Her feelings had shifted since Janet's attackers had threatened her. Oscar had filled her thoughts then, and she'd wanted to save her first time for him. She hadn't even considered anyone else, not even Charles Sawyer, whom she’d believed she loved deeply.

Keeping her voice steady, she asked, "Oscar, did you just say you love me?"

He'd said he cared about everything about her if he loved her. He was far more straightforward than she was. "Isn't it obvious?"

"But, when did you develop feelings for me? We barely knew each other before."

"When did you fall in love with me?" he retorted.

Why is he so certain I love him? Hannah wondered, unsure of herself, stunned by his confidence.