Chapter 866: Sympathy

Theodore was pained by Hannah's cold demeanor. He knew she had suffered greatly, and forgiveness wouldn't come easily. He doubted Oscar would simply let go, but he couldn't bear to see her so unconcerned about Cian's child. Regardless of what happened, Cian had died saving her. Had she forgotten? Could she feel nothing after Oscar's betrayal?

He could restrain himself no longer. "Hannah, enough!"

Hannah smiled. This, she declared, was why she considered it a good drama. Even Theodore had sided with her. She didn't blame him; their friendship, based on shared goals, had dissolved once those goals diverged.

Looking up at Theodore, she asked, "I should just let it go, right? Manuel and my baby are still in danger. And I should just endure it, right?"

"Nothing would have happened if you hadn't left Oscar!" Theodore blurted, losing his composure.

Hannah lowered her eyes. True. She had brought it upon herself. A faint smile played on her lips.

Theodore felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant to blame her, but felt she was being too harsh on Lillian, who was not directly responsible. The worst outcome would be reigniting the war with the Collins family. There was no need for such cruelty toward an innocent woman and Cian's child.

"Theodore, have you ever loved someone?" Hannah asked.

Stunned, Theodore shook his head. "No, and I don't know the depths of love. I can't understand why Oscar and Manuel have suffered so much for women. I don't understand your love."

"Because you don't understand love, you can't comprehend the pain of seeing someone you love fall for another, even having children with them. You can't understand the sadness and bitterness I felt seeing Oscar with another woman. It was worse than death. I just wanted to escape, to forget, to start over! I don't know what I did wrong."

She hadn't spoken her mind before, believing it unnecessary. But she was tired of being the villain while Lillian played the innocent victim. She refused to bear the blame and criticism. She needed Theodore's support.

Lillian's pathetic displays of sympathy were gaining her traction. The more support Lillian garnered, the harder revenge would become for Hannah.

Theodore was speechless. He hadn't loved deeply, but he sensed the pain in her voice.

"But Oscar had no choice. He married Lillian for Cian's baby," Theodore defended.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"He didn't want you to feel guilty, to try to understand him. He wanted to bear the burden alone."

"But I was hurt, right?" Hannah pressed.

Theodore remained silent.

"In this, I don't think Oscar is wrong, nor Lillian. Karma's a bitch. I'm ready to walk away and let them be happy. I can take it, whether for Cian or the Wells family's sake. But why did he have to be so selfish?"

"He was afraid of losing you forever," Theodore argued.

Hannah smiled, then burst into tears. "You think he still has me? Besides me, he'll lose his cousin and his child!"

"He didn't foresee that. Trust me. He did a lot for you. He even provided the best guards."

"To house arrest me."

"He did it out of love."

"He hurt me and everyone in the name of love."

Theodore was again speechless. Hannah was deeply wounded, and Oscar was the cause. He felt outmatched, deciding to remain silent and seek compromise.

Lillian, worried, knew Theodore was her only ally. Oscar could do anything for Hannah; she feared he might yield to Hannah's wishes.

"Hannah, please stop fighting with Theodore," Lillian interrupted.

Hannah offered a sarcastic smile. Lillian was playing the good Samaritan again, cleverly maneuvering Theodore to her side.

"Okay," Hannah conceded. "Theodore's right. Cian's child shouldn't pay for your family's actions. I wasn't thinking."

Lillian narrowed her eyes, suspicious. Hannah's demeanor had shifted drastically. Was she acting? Had she realized that sympathy, not confrontation, was the better strategy?

"Your brother should answer for his actions. That's the law. No scapegoats!" Hannah declared.

Lillian gritted her teeth, realizing Hannah hadn't intended to punish her. Her actions were a calculated move to expose the truth. Lillian also knew Hannah was ultimately powerless against her; public opinion and numerous protectors would prevent Hannah from harming her.