Chapter 329: A Visit Out of Time

"A promising future, Hannah. Don't you think I have one now?" Oscar asked, his breath warm on her face. Hannah was in his arms, escape feeling increasingly difficult.

"As for your… pursuit," Oscar said affectionately, "I'll do my best to satisfy you."

Her pursuit? She'd just said he was pursuing her. How could he so smoothly manipulate the situation? Yet, it was hard to argue.

She glared at him, annoyance simmering. Oscar grinned. "What's your last wish?"

"It's not like I'm dying. What can I wish for?" Hannah retorted.

"Soon," he said, "the original Hannah will cease to exist for me."

"What are you talking about?"

He was provoking her, wasn't he? She was very much alive, and intended to live a long life—a life that would hopefully see Oscar's disappearance.

"After that," Oscar stated deliberately, "you become Mrs. Wells."

His words stunned her, displacing her anger with something else. He was a mind-reading monster.

"Otherwise…" He leaned closer, the rest of his words audible only to them.

Hannah felt taut. Escape seemed impossible. Acquiescence felt… preferable.

They were married. They fell in love. What reason remained to refuse?

Nervous, more so than the first time, her heart pounding, she closed her eyes.

"Oscar!" A knock sounded at the door. The couple, caught mid-moment, stared at each other, dazed.

"Oscar." Another knock.

He didn't move. Hannah pushed him. "It's your mother."

Other visitors could wait, but not Oscar's mother. How terrifying could a formidable mother-in-law be?

Still reeling from her past life, she resolved to get along with Venus. She was far preferable to Loretta.

"Oscar, are you asleep?" Venus called.

He wasn't asleep. He was sleeping with someone.

"Are you unwell? You never sleep this late," Venus' voice held a worried edge. If he didn't answer, she'd break down the door.

Hannah pushed Oscar again. He rose, dressed. Hannah tidied herself and followed suit.

"Mom," Oscar said, opening the door.

"What took you so long? Why do you always worry us? If I hadn't seen the news, I wouldn't have known you were in trouble! I called, but you didn't answer!" Venus began her usual barrage.

Her fear for his injuries was understandable; a mother's natural reaction.

"I'm fine," Oscar replied, aloof.

A typical son-mother exchange: parental worry, nonchalant son.

"If anything had happened, I wouldn't be seeing you now," Venus declared.

Oscar fell silent. Venus glared, then saw Hannah. Her expression softened. "Hannah, are you alright? I saw you in Langley; were you hurt?"

"No, Venus, I'm fine," Hannah replied quickly.

"You look pale," Venus observed.

"Because you woke us," Oscar interrupted.

Venus was startled. "It's ten o'clock!"

"Is ten o'clock late for young people?" Oscar countered.

"You always get up early."

"There was no Hannah then."

Venus was speechless.

"You just prevented the birth of your grandson," Oscar added.

After a moment's reflection, Venus’s eyes landed on Hannah's reddening face, understanding dawning.

A wide smile spread across her face. "Okay, sorry for interrupting. Go back to sleep. I'll wait in the living room. Rest up. You're young; if you don't sleep now, you'll regret it later."

She left, beaming. Hannah glanced at Oscar, who closed the door.

"Next time," Hannah declared, "we tend to your mother first."

"There'll be plenty of opportunities," Hannah added hastily. "I'm going to freshen up." She dashed into the bathroom.

Oscar sighed. Why was sleeping with his wife so difficult?

Hannah and Oscar eventually went downstairs, where Venus and, surprisingly, Karen were waiting. Hannah remained wary of Karen.

"Slept in late?" Venus asked, her surprise obvious and the question ambiguous, making Hannah blush.

"No, we didn't sleep because you arrived."

"Oscar…" Venus grumbled, "I didn't mean to—who knew you preferred mornings?"

They should keep these discussions private, Hannah thought, her face burning. She wondered if Oscar had learned from his mother.

"What does Oscar prefer in the mornings?" Karen asked, her innocent façade intact. She was clearly disingenuous.

"Nothing," Venus deflected. "Didn't you say you were worried about Oscar and wanted to see him?"

"Yes," Karen smiled sweetly. "I saw the news about his injury, so I came. But I was afraid Hannah might not like me after what happened…" Her smile faded.

She'd make a good actress, Hannah mused.