Chapter 787: Hannah's Revenge

The air hung heavy, neither of them yielding. Oscar tried again. "Hannah, please eat something."

Hannah ignored him.

"Just a little," he pleaded, his gentle tone belying the fierce rebellion that followed. Hannah flung back the duvet, attempting escape. His kindness only fueled her anger; she didn't want to see him.

Her weakened body betrayed her sudden movement, nearly causing her to faint. She grabbed the bed for support, the world spinning. Oscar watched her simmering resentment helplessly.

A wave of nausea struck, accompanied by a sharp pain that nearly doubled her over. She clutched her chest, fighting the violent retching that followed. Her stomach felt twisted, her body rigid with abdominal pain. Then, a sharp uterine contraction seized her; her belly tightened like a stone.

This was the first time since their fight that anxiety gripped her – the realization that her actions might have harmed her baby. She retched repeatedly. Oscar dropped his bowl and spoon, rushing to her side as Max frantically pressed the emergency button.

The room was a mess. Completely spent, Hannah offered no resistance as Oscar lifted her back onto the bed. Unbearable cramps wracked her body, shaking her uncontrollably. Beneath her outwardly fearless facade, worry for her baby overwhelmed her, a fear she couldn't show.

The doctor arrived swiftly, examining her. His hand on her abdomen confirmed the diagnosis: severe uterine contractions, potentially fatal if not stopped. He quickly administered a tranquilizer, and soon she calmed, her stomach relaxing, her condition stabilizing. Though under control, the ward remained on high alert, everyone still shaken by her near-catastrophe.

Oscar sat beside her, watching her pale face. As the doctor worked, a chilling thought struck him: what if Hannah were gone?

"Doctor Wood, what's wrong with her?" Max asked, noting her ghastly appearance.

"Severe stomach cramps causing intense pain and uterine contractions," the doctor replied.

"Stomach cramps?" Max echoed.

"Resulting from prolonged food deprivation," the doctor explained. "Her body needs nourishment; otherwise, these cramps could recur. Food is key."

This was a challenge for Max. He glanced at Oscar and Hannah. Hannah would not surrender.

Oscar, having heard the doctor's explanation, said softly, "Hannah, you need to eat."

She remained unresponsive, lost in a stupor, her eyes unfocused. She seemed utterly withdrawn, isolated in her own world.

"Max," Oscar urged.

Max handed him a fresh bowl of warm gruel. Oscar took it quickly, his injured hand momentarily forgotten, though Max fought the urge to suggest he receive treatment first; he was clearly unable to care for himself. The process began anew: Oscar brought a spoonful of gruel to her lips.

Her lips remained sealed, her black eyes gazing indifferently ahead. He was nothing to her.

"Open your mouth," he pleaded, bringing the spoon closer.

Her lips tightened further. Her defiance cracked Oscar's composure. He sharply pinched her chin, forcing her mouth open. He quickly spooned in the gruel, then covered her mouth to ensure she swallowed.

Hannah glared at him, her jaw aching, tears welling in her red-rimmed eyes. Oscar didn't remove his hand, watching her back. Her gaze was filled with intense hatred.

"Just eat," he insisted. "The doctor said you need it."

Hannah fixed a fierce look on him, engraving his ruthlessness in her memory. He didn't care; he knew her resentment ran deep and he didn't flinch from the prospect of it growing further. He withdrew his hand, attempting to feed her another spoonful. As soon as his hand left her mouth, she spat the gruel out.

He narrowed his eyes. She responded with a triumphant laugh. What was he to do? Force her?

Fury ignited in his eyes, a mutual torture escalating. She would never yield.

He narrowed his eyes, a threat radiating from him. Then, with sudden speed, he fed himself a spoonful of gruel, before capturing Hannah's head with one hand, pulling her close with the other, pressing his lips to hers.

It was swift, catching her off guard. Her face contorted with disgust as his tongue forced its way between her teeth. She clamped her jaw, but the pain forced her lips open again, allowing him to slip the gruel into her mouth. She was forced to swallow. Feeling her swallow, he loosened his grip on her chin and began to pull away.

"Hmm..." Oscar hissed in pain.

Hannah had bitten his tongue, clamping down with all her might, tasting his blood. Instead of pushing her away or retaliating, he remained still, watching her rage unleash itself upon him.

Blood welled in his mouth, dripping onto the bed.