Chapter 272: Without Hannah, I Will Die Alone

Facing the reporters, Hannah spoke with grace and composure. Susan, however, couldn't help but stare, from Hannah's initial angry confrontation with Lorie Cox to her calm handling of the press. Susan found Hannah's unwavering strength increasingly difficult to accept.

"Was it really love, as Hannah claimed? What a public display of affection!" Susan thought, feeling overwhelmed by the saccharine romance. "Mrs. Wells, are you confessing your love to your husband?" a reporter quickly interjected.

Hannah glanced at Oscar, whose gaze remained fixed on her. To him, the reporters were invisible; he saw only Hannah. Their eyes met. A blush crept onto Hannah's cheeks.

She turned back to the reporters. "There's no need for a confession; he knows my love." It was a carefully chosen response.

"When did you fall in love?" the reporters pressed. "As we know, Mrs. Wells was previously engaged to Charles. When did your feelings develop?"

Hannah started to speak, but Oscar cut in. "I fell in love with her as a child. As for Hannah, she fell in love with me after we married."

Hannah's prepared response, "Familiarity breeds fondness," remained unspoken. They hadn't known each other as children. She recalled a time he'd helped her when she was lost, but it was insignificant. Oscar's answer, she realized, was likely for dramatic effect.

"Therefore, I want to thank Charles for his kindness in not marrying Hannah! Otherwise, I'd only be able to watch her walk further and further away. I would die alone," Oscar said with a slight smile.

His understated tone nonetheless sent a pang through Hannah's heart. She felt a chilling truth in his words. She remembered scenes from her previous life: Oscar in his twenties, a playboy; then, after thirty, a dramatically changed man—aloof, lonely, powerful, and deep. No women were around him; rumors circulated about health problems stemming from past excesses. For a long time, he'd been alone, cold, and distant, even hostile towards her. She'd assumed his avoidance stemmed from Charles being his rival. Now, she suspected he’d been afraid of her, afraid she'd approach him.

Her heart quickened. A secret had been revealed, tinged with sadness. She remembered his loneliness in her past life; he had always been alone.

Instinctively, Hannah took Oscar's hand, a seemingly spontaneous gesture. She wanted to comfort him. His fingers trembled. She clasped his hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, their skin sensing each other's warmth. Oscar's Adam's apple bobbed. A smile played on his lips; his large hand enveloped hers. The reporters, sharp-eyed, witnessed this intimate exchange, cameras flashing.

After the press conference, they drove Hannah's father home to Cooper Manor, then Susan to her and Manuel's residence.

"I don't want to go back. Just leave me here," Susan said abruptly.

Hannah looked at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Is Manuel's leg better?" Hannah asked.

"How should I know?" Susan retorted. In their ten days of marriage, their encounters were few. She left early and returned late. How could she know about his recovery?

"Can't you spend more time with him while he's injured?" Hannah pressed.

"His leg is crippled! If it never heals, should I stay with him forever?"

"Then why did you marry him?" Hannah challenged.

Susan was speechless, furious. Her head felt ready to burst.

"You should cultivate a better relationship with him," Hannah insisted.

"I've known Manuel for fifteen, maybe twenty years. If I could cultivate a relationship, I would have by now!"

"Let go of your prejudices. Don't project your feelings for Justin onto Manuel."

"I didn't!" Susan denied.

"Whether you did or not, you know best."

"How many times must I tell you? I don't like him, not at all…"

"If you don't like him, why are you hiding from him?" Hannah interrupted.

Susan, speechless with rage, took a deep breath. "I just don't want to see him. He's annoying."

"If you truly have no feelings for him, why is he so annoying?"

"Why do you keep trying to make me be with him? It's impossible for me to like him, not ever!"

Hannah felt a surge of anger. Why was it so difficult to persuade Susan?

Just as Hannah was about to respond, Oscar, beside her, spoke into his phone, "You heard that, right? Susan says it's impossible for her to like you, not ever."

Hannah and Susan stared at him, dumbfounded.

After a moment, Hannah realized. "Who are you calling?"

"Manuel," Oscar stated flatly.

"Oscar, what is wrong with you?" Hannah exclaimed, furious.

It was bad enough dealing with Susan's lack of insight; having a troublemaker beside her made it worse.

"I just wanted Manuel to know his wife's attitude. I'm just an emotionless telephone," Oscar said nonchalantly.

"Don't call me his wife," Susan fumed.

Hannah was speechless. She snatched the phone and hung up. "Go home!" she snapped at Susan.

"Your man provoked you, and you take it out on me! Hannah, you've changed! You don't love me anymore!" Susan cried.

"Enough!" Hannah retorted.

Susan stuck out her tongue as the car pulled up to her building. Hannah pushed her out of the car.

"Try to build a relationship with Manuel," Hannah urged.

Susan pouted. She wouldn't. She could fall in love with anyone, but never Manuel.