Chapter 755: A Divorce

Hannah nodded. The sooner she decided, the sooner she could be free. She had never desired the title of First Lady of Northfield; climbing the social ladder was never her ambition. Her only goal was revenge, after which she would dedicate herself to the family business. Nothing more.

"What about the baby?" Hannah asked calmly.

The baby was their only remaining connection. Oscar visibly flinched at her question. His thoughts were inscrutable; she couldn't tell if he still wanted the child. A heavy silence descended.

Oscar then said, "Hannah, it's just a nominal divorce."

A nominal divorce? Hannah frowned, confused.

"We'll still live together, as a couple," he added.

Hannah laughed, as if he'd told the world's most absurd joke. Oscar saw her wry smile; he knew his proposal was ridiculous and shameless. He couldn't let her go; he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving and never returning.

"Oscar, you mean after our official divorce, and after you marry Lillian Collins, you want to keep me as your mistress?"

He remained silent. Though he hadn't explicitly stated his intentions, Hannah, ever perceptive, knew he would marry Lillian.

"I don't resent you," Hannah said, calmer than him, though he was making the decisions. "Cian's death caused me great remorse, though I know I wasn't fully responsible. Yet, I survived because of it. I'm grateful, and that gratitude allowed me to accept your difficult choices. His death made you the sole heir to Wells, burdening you with immense responsibility. You had to marry Lillian to secure your family's position. I understand your reasons, and I offer my sincere congratulations." Hannah remained composed throughout.

Oscar met her gaze silently.

"My best wishes for your future and your marriage," Hannah continued. "We started this as a deal: you helped me with revenge; I helped your career. We both achieved our goals. That's enough. I'm glad we shared a wonderful time together." She emphasized each word.

Oscar felt a sharp pang of sorrow. He'd expected anger, exasperation at his insistence she stay; not this rational acceptance. She understood his predicament, but her pride wouldn't allow her to be his mistress.

"Oscar, it's time to let go," Hannah stated, ending the conversation. There was nothing left to say. "If you want the baby, I'll have her, but I'll seek custody. You can visit whenever you wish. If you don't want her, I'll consider abortion. It wouldn't be fair to bring her into the world if her father had no desire for her."

"Yes, I want the baby! I do!" Oscar exclaimed.

Hannah hesitated. The baby could endanger his alliance with the Collinses; abortion seemed logical. Yet, Oscar wanted her.

"I've never considered giving her up," Oscar insisted.

"Okay," she said, trusting him. Despite his hurt, he'd never lied. He was far better than Charles, that hypocritical wretch. Both relationships had ended badly.

"Okay, I'll have the baby."

Conceiving had been difficult, and she'd fought to keep the baby. Even if Oscar had wanted an abortion, she wouldn't have agreed.

"Have you drafted the divorce agreement?" Hannah asked.

Oscar nodded heavily.

"Time to sign," Hannah said.

Oscar produced the papers. Hannah read through it, stunned by the generous property settlement. She wondered if he'd given away more than half his wealth.

"I don't need this. Since our marriage, I've been happy. You don't need to compensate me."

"Take it. You might need it someday," he said sadly.

Let it be, she thought. Neither of them needed to feel indebted to the other.

"Is there a pen?" Hannah asked.

He was surprised by her swift decision, or perhaps by her detachment.

He offered a delicate golden pen, engraved with 'LC'—Lillian Collins' initials. A love token, she mused. She was signing her divorce papers with their love token. How ironic.

Ignoring the initials, Hannah signed. Oscar signed, his hand trembling.

"I'll call my father to pick me up." Moving out would be her first act of freedom. Oscar would be a stranger. He'd reached the summit while she continued her business struggles; their personal lives were completely separate.

As she stood, Oscar grabbed her arm, a touch that repelled her despite their intimacy.