Chapter 862: Hannah Tries Walking

Theodore and Susan were at Manuel's bedside, outside the ICU. In another ward, Hannah, with the nurses' assistance, attempted to get out of bed. She had been confined since her Cesarean section. The sharp pain caused her to wince as her feet touched the floor.

Oscar remained beside her, observing her face with concern. "Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.

"It's okay," Hannah replied lightly, accustomed to such pain.

He suggested, "You can try later if it hurts too much."

"No, it doesn't hurt that much," Hannah responded indifferently.

Oscar pursed his lips, remaining silent. Hannah, enduring the discomfort, took two more steps.

"Ms. Cooper, that's enough for today. Take it easy," a nurse reminded her.

"Okay," Hannah said, nodding.

She returned to bed, but moments later, requested assistance to get up again and practice walking.

"I want to leave the room," Hannah stated.

"Ms. Cooper, slow down. It's your first day out of bed. You could be injured if you fall," the nurse cautioned.

"Don't worry, I can do it," Hannah asserted firmly.

The nurse hesitated, glancing at Oscar for permission. He nodded his assent.

"Alright, but don't go too far," the nurse stipulated.

Hannah, without reply, walked slowly, supported by the nurse. Guards in black were stationed at the door; the entire floor appeared to be secured. Hannah struggled down the long corridor, finally reaching the elevator.

"Ms. Cooper, where are you going?" the nurse inquired.

"To the ICU," Hannah replied honestly, believing Manuel was there. The distance was considerable, and walking was risky so soon after her surgery.

"Get the wheelchair," Oscar instructed, having followed her at a slower pace.

The nurse summoned a wheelchair immediately. Hannah refused, however, saying, "I'll sit if I get too tired."

Oscar nodded, and the nurse, resigned, accompanied them with the wheelchair. They took the elevator to the ICU. From the far end of the corridor, Hannah saw Theodore and Susan.

Could this mean Manuel was still in danger? Suppressing her sadness, she approached them slowly. The small group following her adapted their pace to accommodate her. Theodore and Susan had heard them approaching.

Susan turned, seeing Hannah, her surprise evident. "Hannah, what are you doing here?" she exclaimed. "You had a Cesarean section yesterday! How could you risk walking?"

Hannah felt remorse at Susan’s worry. "I want to check on Manuel," she explained.

"He's in the ICU. You shouldn't have come. You just had a baby; you need rest. How could you wander around like this?" Susan said, her voice laced with anger and distress.

Hannah smiled faintly. "Let me just take a look at him."

Susan, fearing the sight of Manuel’s injuries would distress Hannah further, tried to dissuade her. But Hannah, before Susan could interject, approached the window. Manuel lay still in his bed, his condition far worse than she had imagined.

She knew he was badly injured, but the extent of his injuries, hidden behind tubes and machines, was shocking. She wept silently.

"Oh, please don't cry, Hannah," Susan pleaded, her own tears falling anew at the sight of Hannah's grief.

"I'm so sorry," Hannah apologized, unable to articulate her feelings.

Before Susan could respond, Theodore intervened. "You knew it was dangerous, yet you insisted. Do you regret it now?"

"I regret it," Hannah admitted, acknowledging the risk to so many for her sake.

Theodore started to speak again, but Oscar's sharp look silenced him. Oscar, despite his own inner turmoil, was clearly upset by Hannah’s exertion.

"Let's get out of here," Theodore said, his usual tendency to retreat in the face of strong emotion emerging. He started to pull Susan away.

"Let go of me, Theodore!" Susan protested angrily. Theodore's irritability was as ever present as ever.

"Get some sleep if you don't want to die! I'm afraid you'll die before Manuel!" he snapped.

Susan was speechless, bewildered by his harshness. She was forcibly pulled away.

Observing this, Hannah felt gratitude toward Theodore and Manuel, realizing their helpfulness contrasted with Oscar’s seeming inaction. However, she didn't blame him, understanding his responsibilities and the limitations they imposed. His inability to act didn’t matter; she would manage. She composed herself, quietly watched Manuel, and turned to leave, her entourage following once more.

Reaching the elevator, she asked, "Where's the baby?"

Oscar froze, hand hovering over the elevator buttons.

"I want to see him," Hannah said lightly, perhaps masking her true emotions.

His silence, his trembling fingers, drew her attention. "Is he dead?" she asked, recalling the doctor's grim prognosis during her surgery; a newborn was too frail to fight illness.

Oscar shook his head vehemently. "No. He's in the infant incubator."

A wave of sorrow washed over Hannah. She thought she could accept any outcome, yet the news still stung.

"I want to see him," she said softly.

Oscar nodded, pressing the button, pondering how to atone for his perceived failings, ready to offer anything to ease her pain, even if it meant losing her in the end.