Chapter 784: Disagreement

Hannah was resolute. The necessary action caused her intense pain. Lying in bed, awaiting the operation, she'd waited the entire afternoon for the doctor. Max arrived then, bearing chicken soup. He seemed pleased; Hannah had requested it. Knowing she’d eaten little lately, he understood her desire for nourishment, for herself and the baby.

"Have a taste, Ma'am," Max offered, ladling soup into a bowl. "I've skimmed the fat, so it's not greasy. Let me know if it's salty enough."

Hannah was momentarily speechless. The soup was merely an excuse; she didn't want to waste Max's kindness, so she ate slowly.

Max watched expectantly. "How is it?" he asked.

"Great," Hannah replied.

"I'll make it for you every day," Max said hastily. "This wasn't my best; I was rushed. Tomorrow's will be tastier."

Hannah felt a blush rise. Max’s eagerness to improve the soup embarrassed her slightly.

He offered another bowl, but Hannah refused. "I need to rest. Please get the doctor. I have something to ask him."

"Yes," Max replied, leaving immediately. Soon, however, an assistant, not the doctor, appeared. Hannah instantly understood.

"Ms. Cooper, the doctor's gone home. I can answer your questions," the assistant explained.

Hannah knew a VIP patient's doctor would typically remain on-site. Her doctor's absence was deliberate.

"Nothing," Hannah said, seeing the pointlessness of speaking with him.

The assistant respectfully withdrew, likely on the attending physician's instructions.

Max, concerned, asked, "Mrs. Wells, are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I just want to know when I can go home."

"Rest easy. The doctor said observation for several days is necessary. If all's well, you can leave then," Max reassured her.

"I see," Hannah nodded. "I want to sleep. Please leave."

"But you've only had soup today."

"I'll eat when I wake up."

Max left, resigned.

It was nearing dinner. Hannah called Oscar; initially, there was no answer. A second call connected her to a clear, melodious voice. It was Lillian Collins. This unexpected contact, through Oscar's phone, surprised Hannah.

"Hello, Mrs. Wells," Lillian said politely.

"Is that Hannah?" Lillian's use of her first name felt intimate, making Hannah consider her more astute than Sarah, perhaps a hidden force in the Collins family—overlooked due to her youth and humility.

"I wanted to speak to Oscar," Hannah said calmly.

"One moment. He's with my family."

"Thank you."

Hannah heard laughter, then a faint, "Oscar, you're wanted on the phone."

"Hannah," Oscar said.

Lillian's unawareness of the caller intrigued Hannah, as did the intimacy implied by her possession of Oscar's phone. She recalled a time when she could barely hold onto his phone. Now, things were different; she chose to let go of the past.

"What did you tell the hospital?" Hannah asked quietly.

"That no one is to perform an abortion," Oscar stated directly.

Hannah realized this was his doing. I shouldn't have told the doctor so soon, right after he left the hospital. I should have waited until he was busy tomorrow. I was too hasty, she reflected. Her urgency stemmed from a fear of regret.

"No one, at any time," Oscar continued, as if reading her thoughts. "I arranged everything before leaving your ward."

Hannah's teeth clenched. Oscar had acted preemptively.

"Hannah, I told you I want you to have this baby, and I will support you," Oscar declared firmly. "Don't worry about it. Just take care of yourself."

"Oscar, it's my body, and I can choose to abort it, regardless of your orders. It's simply a question of risk."

"Don't underestimate my capabilities."

"Same to you," Hannah retorted, hanging up. She wondered when their communication had broken down so completely.