Chapter 494: The Physical Check-up (1)

Oscar and Hannah saw Susan off and returned home. He immediately embraced Hannah, kissing her as they entered the living room. Hannah initially resisted, shy at first, but the lateness of the hour and their privacy swayed her. They soon became intimate.

Suddenly, a soft female voice interrupted, "Welcome home." Startled, Hannah and Oscar separated. They had been passionately kissing, and the unexpected presence startled them. Hannah pushed Oscar away, composing herself as he turned to see Karen sitting on the couch.

The living room was dimly lit by a single lamp, concealing Karen's presence. No one anticipated she was still awake.

"What are you doing here?" Oscar asked, his tone irritated.

"I was waiting for you," Karen replied, her voice tinged with hurt. Her head drooped, appearing apologetic. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just… kept the light on, thinking you'd appreciate it. I'm sorry. I didn't know…" Tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks.

Oscar, still feeling some concern for Karen, said, "It's late. Go to bed."

"Okay," she replied obediently, her demeanor soft and submissive.

Hannah watched Karen leave, thinking she could have avoided the awkwardness had Karen's thoughtfulness been more apparent earlier. Turning to Oscar, she noted their interrupted intimacy. The upcoming hospital visit for Oscar's physical check-up overshadowed any desire for further affection. Karen's interruption, ironically, had calmed her. Hannah quickly ascended the stairs, followed by Oscar.

They showered and then lay in bed, side-by-side. Sleep eluded them; they simply rested together, content in the moment. Hannah reflected on the stark contrast between her life with Oscar and her past with Charles. With Charles, she hadn't envisioned a future; her previous life had been aimless, and she'd merely adapted to him. But with Oscar, she saw a promising future. She snuggled into his arms.

"Oscar," she whispered, "Will we be happy forever?"

Fear and anxiety still lingered. The insecurity she felt stemmed from Oscar's past image as a playboy – an image that proved untrue. His secrets, however, worried her, fueling her apprehension about their future.

"Yeah," Oscar reassured her, "We'll be happy forever."

In that moment, they believed their destinies were intertwined, regardless of future challenges. But fate, as always, held its own mysterious course.

The next morning, Hannah urged Oscar to rise. He wasn't prone to sleeping late, but her presence, and the playful intimacy it invited, tempted him to linger. Their little games of flirtation always ended with Hannah playfully annoyed and shy, but Oscar's tenderness always soothed her. His charm, she acknowledged, was undeniable.

They dressed and went downstairs, only to be met by Karen's renewed weeping. Their cheerful mood evaporated instantly. They retreated to the dining room.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying again?" Oscar asked impatiently, emphasizing the word "again."

Karen's tear-stained face remained silent for a moment. Max, looking helpless, explained, "Miss said she dislikes beans, but I prepared them for breakfast. I thought they were healthy and suitable for Mrs. Wells."

"Make something else," Oscar instructed Max, clearly wanting to avoid a protracted argument.

"I tried, but Miss feels guilty about wasting the food," Max explained, clearly distressed. Years of serving Oscar and a year serving Hannah had never prepared him for this. Karen's frequent crying threatened to overwhelm him.

Hannah, speechless at Karen's unreasonableness, took Oscar's hand and said calmly, "Karen, if you feel guilty, just eat them. Mental anguish is far worse than physical discomfort. Max, you can go back to your work."

Max stared in disbelief.

"Max, leave us," Oscar echoed.

"Yes, Master Oscar," Max responded, relieved.

Karen watched Max leave, her eyes revealing resentment and barely concealed anger. Hannah ignored this and began eating the beans, adding, "Max is a good cook." She deliberately ignored Karen, provoking her further.

"Honey, you shouldn't eat breakfast, considering your blood tests," Hannah said, continuing her conversation with Oscar, pointedly ignoring Karen.

Oscar looked hesitant but didn't eat, content to simply keep Hannah company.

"It's okay. Don't hide anything from the doctor."

"What's wrong, Oscar? Are you ill?" Karen anxiously inquired, her attempts to gain their attention futile.

"Just a check-up," Oscar replied indifferently.

Karen tried to speak, but Hannah interrupted, leaving Karen to watch their oblivious interaction, convinced Hannah was deliberately excluding her.