It was late when Hannah left work, as was her father. Tomorrow marked their complete departure from the Cooper Group, a company their family had managed for years, now to be overseen by others. Anyone in their situation would find peace elusive.

Hannah had spent considerable time with her father in his office, understanding his current turmoil, though their conversations remained largely silent. As they left, Miguel sighed heavily—a sigh of relief or resignation, Hannah couldn't tell. She didn't dwell on it, letting him precede her to the car.

Once inside, Miguel turned. "Hannah, I feel… I've been through something terrible. I've lost things, so many things. This all feels so familiar."

Hannah lowered her eyes, wondering if others subconsciously remembered past lives. She even questioned the reality of her previous life, if this was merely an illusion. But if it were an illusion, it wouldn't hurt so deeply. She smiled, offering comfort. "Dad, don't overthink it. Everything will be alright."

Miguel nodded. "You're right. I've known happiness. Losing the company hurts, but my family is healthy. Edward, once healthy, is now… different. Health and family—that's what truly matters."

Hannah nodded vigorously.

"Hannah," he continued, "don't carry this burden. You're pregnant; your baby is innocent, regardless of its father. Take care of yourself."

"I will," Hannah smiled. She valued her life deeply; having died once, she cherished it more. She wouldn't risk it.

"Go home early," Miguel said, waving.

"Dad, take care."

Miguel nodded. The car door closed, the vehicle pulling away.

Her smile vanished as her father's car disappeared. Back in her own car, the two black-clad bodyguards remained close behind. Hannah gazed silently out the window. Despite consoling her father, her spirits had plummeted. She would accept the loss of the Cooper Group if her management had been inadequate; it was a cutthroat world. But this wasn't how it ended, and her sadness was justified. Even unwilling to accept it, she would bear the burden silently, grieving alone.

A phone call interrupted her thoughts.

"Hi, Susan."

"Hannah, are you home?"

"On my way."

"I'm coming to your place tonight."

"Did you drink?" Hannah detected the slur in Susan's voice.

"A little. Entertaining clients."

"Okay, come over." Hannah suspected it was more than a little. Susan was a strong drinker, but even she had limits. Hannah felt the need to talk to her.

Hanging up, Hannah silently adjusted her mood. She avoided showing emotion when facing setbacks, a habit formed in childhood.

The car soon arrived at the villa. As Hannah entered the living room, she paused. Instead of Susan, she saw Oscar and Theodore. Their presence felt incongruous. Disgust and hatred briefly flashed across her face, quickly masked.

How could I still expect anything from him? How could I believe he wouldn't reappear? she thought, lowering her eyes, concealing her feelings completely. Oscar saw the hatred, then nothing. She treated him like a stranger.

No greeting, no emotion. Oscar wished for even her hate, a sign of recognition. Now, she ignored him completely. Hannah passed them, heading upstairs.

Oscar felt his throat tighten, unable to speak. Theodore, initially wanting to leave, now understood Oscar's request to stay. Hannah was deliberately ignoring Oscar, needing Theodore to alleviate the awkwardness. Just then, a slightly slurred voice announced, "Hannah, I'm here."

Oscar and Theodore turned to see Susan, drunk and flushed, visibly stunned by Oscar's presence.

What the hell is this motherfucker doing here? Didn't Hannah say he'd never come back? He's about to become king, why is he here now? Susan thought, anger flaring.

He's showing off to Hannah, flexing his soon-to-be supreme commander status. Despite her efforts at patience, her temper snapped.

She pointed at Oscar. "Oscar, you bastard! What are you doing here, making things worse for Hannah?"

Oscar frowned; Theodore's eyes widened at her boldness.

"I thought you were the best, a million times better than Charles! But you're just as much of a jerk! Leaving your wife and child… you deserve to be punished a thousand times!" Susan shouted, her anger escalating.

Hannah, changing clothes, knew Susan would be furious seeing Oscar. From the upstairs railing, she saw Susan's enraged face, and Oscar sitting immobile below. She couldn't see his face clearly, but sensed his flush mirroring Susan's anger.