Chapter 725: The Feud (30) Sadness

Theodore watched helplessly as Oscar left, his departure callous and abrupt. He wondered how to explain Oscar's absence to Hannah. Had a world war erupted? Or had Cian risen from the grave? A surge of anger prompted him to want to strike Oscar. He paced outside the operating room, his footfalls heavy enough to shake the floor, had the door not opened.

The moment it did, Theodore rushed inside. "How is Hannah? How is she?" he asked urgently. His initial kindness towards Hannah, perhaps born of obligation to Oscar, had evolved into genuine concern.

The doctor's sigh nearly sent Theodore reeling. "Is she dead?" he asked, his voice tight with fear.

The doctor's eyes widened in surprise. "No."

"Then why the sigh?" Theodore demanded.

The doctor, slightly flustered by Theodore's outburst, explained he was merely tired.

"Mrs. Wells is stable, but the baby…"

"It's alright if the baby's gone," Theodore said, bracing himself for the worst.

"Can you let me finish?" the doctor interrupted, his patience thinning.

Theodore paused. "Okay, go on."

"We did not perform an abortion," the doctor stated.

"What?"

"But we can't guarantee the baby's safety. It's only a possibility for now," he clarified.

"Will Hannah be in danger?"

"As long as the baby remains critical, the mother is at risk," the doctor explained.

"What the hell! Weren't you supposed to perform an abortion?" Theodore's agitation grew. Losing a child wasn't the end of the world, and he didn't think jeopardizing the mother's life was wise. He felt the weight of despair bearing down on him.

"Mrs. Wells refused, and we observed signs of life, so we respected her wishes. Sometimes, miracles happen, and willpower surpasses medicine," the doctor explained.

Theodore was speechless. Hannah's desperation to keep the baby left him powerless.

"Let's monitor the situation. As long as we keep a close watch, Mrs. Wells should be fine. But if there's another major hemorrhage, we'll perform an abortion," the doctor added.

"Okay," Theodore nodded, hoping there wouldn't be a next time. If there were, they would prioritize saving Hannah, regardless of her wishes.

After the doctor's explanation, Hannah was wheeled out. Her face was alarmingly pale. Theodore found her strength heartbreaking. As he approached, he noticed her gaze drifting, searching for Oscar. A sharp pain pierced his heart. He cursed Oscar's ancestors—then realized there were none left to curse.

"Something came up, so Oscar had to leave. Don't worry, I'll stay with you. Take care of yourself," Theodore said.

Hannah's disappointment was palpable, though she remained composed. She simply nodded, accepting Oscar's absence. Theodore's heart ached further, unable to comprehend Oscar's coldness towards a woman he supposedly loved so deeply.

Hannah was returned to her ward. Her body was weak, sleep impossible.

"Theodore, can you help me get a phone and my SIM card back?" she asked.

"Use mine."

Hannah shook her head. "My parents would be suspicious."

"You want to call them?" Theodore guessed correctly.

"Yes, but I'll tell them I'm fine," Hannah explained, wanting to spare them worry. The sight of her like this would break their hearts.

Theodore, though less considerate, complied. He arranged for a phone and SIM card.

Hannah called her parents, briefly explaining her absence by saying she'd been in the capital with Oscar. She reassured them not to worry.

Miguel and Michelle, having been unable to contact Hannah for a long time, were distraught. They’d spoken to Oscar a few times, but their suspicions were growing. They were about to contact the police when Hannah called.

After a reassuring conversation, Hannah hung up, appearing even worse. Theodore quickly brought her water.

She accepted it with a grateful murmur. "Theodore, thank you for everything."

"Don't," he mumbled.

"You don't have to stay," Hannah said. "You're busy."

"No, I'm not," he replied flatly.

"Doesn't Oscar need you?"

"Are you still thinking about him?"

"Probably," Hannah admitted. "With Cian gone, he always had a lot on his plate."

"Oscar's lucky to have you."

Hannah didn't want to be perceived as saintly. She simply understood Oscar's grief. While she harbored no resentment over past events, she was disappointed he hadn't waited for her release from the emergency room. Still, she understood it must have been an emergency.

"Theodore, how's Manuel?"

"He's back in the ward, and he'll live."

"Check on him for me? He was badly injured."

"You need to rest."

"Please," Hannah insisted.

Theodore, unable to refuse, agreed. "I'll see Manuel and come back. Don't worry, I've arranged security."

"Thank you."

As the door closed, Hannah wept, her sadness overwhelming. She didn't want to be a burden.