Chapter 863: Lillian in Hannah’s Ward

Hannah entered the ward and found only one infant incubator in the vast room. It held her baby, premature and significantly lighter than a typical newborn. She hadn't seen him since the Cesarean section. The possibility that he was dying, or that the doctor feared she couldn't cope, crossed her mind; the baby had been taken away immediately after birth.

This was her first glimpse of him. He slept soundly in the incubator, looking tiny and wrinkled. The sight broke her heart. He had suffered greatly, from conception to delivery, and she felt like a terrible mother.

"Hannah," Oscar's voice reached her, likely noticing her sorrow.

Swallowing hard, Hannah fought back tears. "What did the doctor say?"

"The baby is strong. He could live with us like other babies, eventually."

"How long?" Hannah asked.

Oscar pursed his lips. "Maybe a week, maybe… a year."

Hannah offered a cold smile; this was little comfort. Her baby remained in danger, just like Manuel. She gritted her teeth, striving for strength.

"Hannah, he'll be fine. I promise," Oscar said slowly, with unshakeable conviction. He believed their child was a fighter, and would return to them safe and sound.

"Promise? How can you promise that?" Hannah asked indifferently.

"With my life!"

"You mean you'd die with him if he didn't survive?" Her calm gaze felt like a knife to his heart.

"Yes," Oscar nodded. "If the baby died, I would pay with my life."

Hannah shook her head. What good would his life do? It wouldn't alleviate her pain or grief. Turning back to the incubator, she remained a long while before leaving, the others following. She couldn't suffer for him; she would seek revenge for him.

Returning to the ward, she saw a woman with a noticeably swollen belly waiting inside. It was Lillian; her pregnancy seemed to have advanced overnight. Perhaps she'd previously concealed it, now eager to reveal it. The change in her appearance was striking.

Hannah anticipated her arrival; it wasn't a surprise. Oscar would uncover the truth behind the car accident, identifying the Collins family as the only ones with the audacity to perpetrate such an act. Admitting their guilt sooner had been a shrewd move. Hannah regretted trusting Lillian, a cunning woman. Oscar joined her as she approached.

Lillian rushed forward, appearing panicked, her large belly amplifying her anxious demeanor. She clearly sought sympathy.

"I'm sorry, Hannah," she cried, falling to her knees.

Hannah watched, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if witnessing a ridiculous farce. Oscar narrowed his eyes, offering no assistance.

"Trust me. I didn't know it would end this way. If I had, I never would have promised to help you escape."

Hannah remained silent, observing Lillian's performance. She wanted to see how Lillian would attempt to regain Oscar's trust and forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry, Hannah, Oscar," Lillian sobbed desperately. "Hearing about your accident… I thought I was doing the right thing, but it became a disaster! When I heard Manuel and your baby were in ICU, I even considered suicide. But the unborn baby…"

Lillian's desperation intensified, portraying herself as a deeply wounded victim. What a performance!

"So, you're saying you had nothing to do with the accident?" Hannah asked calmly.

Lillian shook her head vehemently. "No! I didn't know it would end like this. I promised to help you escape because I didn't want to see you and Oscar hurting each other. It's hard for you two to be apart, but I hoped time would heal. I'm selfish. I wanted Oscar devoted to our marriage, even though it's purely political. But what he's doing is unacceptable, a huge scandal. He's worked so hard for power, he can't throw it away. This world looks peaceful, but so many are greedy for power. To avoid tragedy, I made the bold decision to help you leave."

Hannah smiled again. Lillian's actions were presented as righteous, her choices as unavoidable, her intentions noble. A flawless defense; no one could blame her.

"I chose your wedding day to send you away. Oscar would be too busy to stop you. I'd do it again, even if it meant being hated by him for life. But… but…" She choked back sobs, feigning greater distress than anyone else.

"But I didn't know Mathew would act alone! I never imagined he'd do this behind my father and me! Oh God, I regret it! If I'd known, I swear I wouldn't have told him!"

Mathew, it seemed, was the scapegoat.