Chapter 829: Shopping Mall

He watched her sleeping face, gentle and tender, yet so distant. Standing before her, he felt a gulf between them. Then he saw a tear trace a path down her cheek.

His heart ached. She’d feigned sleep, unwilling to speak, unwilling even to look at him. Instinctively, he reached to wipe away her tears, but his fingers froze in midair, then retreated.

He left, closing the door softly behind him. He would give her space. Her eyes remained closed; she merely shifted, seeking a comfortable sleeping position, finding solace only in slumber.

She awoke around noon the next day, having slept for hours. Only the baby’s hungry cries had roused her sooner. After washing, she went downstairs.

Max and Oscar awaited her for lunch, but Lillian was absent. Was she leaving? Hannah didn’t dwell on it; it didn’t matter.

As she approached, Max hurried to greet her. "Ms. Cooper, good morning."

"Sorry, I slept too long," Hannah replied with a smile.

"You must be hungry. Lunch will be ready soon."

"Thanks," she said, walking to the dining room, followed by Oscar, who sat beside her. Silence settled between them until Max began serving.

"Try some fish," Oscar offered, placing a piece on her plate.

"Thanks," she responded politely.

He remained silent, replenishing her plate again and again until she finally protested. "That’s enough. I can do it myself."

She resented his control, yet felt powerless to assert herself.

"Mhm," Oscar murmured in acknowledgement, though he continued serving. The silence persisted until they finished. She felt no inclination for a nap.

"Let's take a walk," Oscar suggested.

Hannah looked at him.

"Let's go," he said, offering no explanation before heading out.

She followed. The car ride was silent, her gaze fixed blankly on the passing scenery. A small convoy of cars surrounded them. The Oscar she once knew seemed gone, and she fought back memories threatening to overwhelm her.

The car arrived at Kensbury’s largest mall. They disembarked, and Hannah noticed the mall was deserted, only they and a contingent of guards present.

Oscar led her to an escalator. He took her hand, and she didn’t resist, nor did she possess the strength to refuse.

They reached the third floor, home to baby products. Inside a store, salesladies bowed respectfully.

"Commander, Madam, welcome."

Oscar nodded slightly.

"Is there a suitable baby product package?"

"Yes," a saleswoman replied, leading them to a display and showcasing their best option.

Oscar listened intently; Hannah appeared somewhat distracted, the due date still months away. After the presentation, he paid.

"Commander, there are other items, toys, for example. Would you like to see them?"

Oscar nodded and they moved on. The toy selection was vast, so he purchased everything. Then, his attention turned to baby clothes.

"Sir, this dress would suit a little princess," the saleswoman suggested.

It was precisely his taste.

"Wrap it up. I'll buy it."

He continued his extravagant purchases of baby outfits before turning to Hannah. "Anything else?"

"You're not going to ask Lillian?"

He froze for a moment, then composed himself. "She has plenty of time."

Hannah's pregnancy was indeed three months ahead of Lillian's, though the exact timing remained uncertain.

"That's all for me. I can ask for more later if needed."

"Okay," Oscar replied.

They left the store, but he didn't head home.

"Clothes for yourself?" he asked.

"No, thanks. This belly makes most outfits impossible."

He nodded and entered a men's suit department.

"I need your opinion on some suits," he said.

Hannah didn't object. Following a saleswoman's suggestions, she chose three. Oscar tried them on while she waited, enjoying refreshments in the lounge. The saleswomen showered him with flattering, albeit truthful, compliments on his charm.

Even after purchasing the suits, Oscar lingered. Hannah followed silently. At an ice cream parlor, he asked, "Ice cream?"

Hannah hesitated, unsure if it was permissible during pregnancy.

"It's fine for pregnant women," he reassured her.

"Mhm," she agreed, admitting to a sudden craving. She’d resisted the temptation before, but now her appetite, or perhaps his observation of it, prevailed.