Chapter 869: An Unexpected Kiss

When Oscar returned to Hannah's ward, he found her using an electric breast pump, assisted by the medical staff. The early stages of milk expression were painful, causing uterine contractions. Hannah gritted her teeth and endured.

Half an hour later, only fifty milliliters of breast milk had been collected. The nurses assured him this was sufficient for a newborn's tiny stomach. They took the milk, and another nurse began cleaning Hannah's breasts. This cleaning procedure followed each pumping session.

Oscar stepped forward. "Let me help her," he said to the paramedic.

The paramedic readily complied. Hannah, glancing at her new helper, offered no objection.

Seeing her reddened, swollen breast, Oscar asked, "Does it hurt?"

Hannah smiled. "Not much."

The scene stirred Oscar deeply.

"I'm a newcomer to motherhood," Hannah said.

Her words intensified his unease. This should be a loving moment, a new mother bonding with her baby, but their child remained in the incubator, vulnerable.

He focused on cleaning, his touch gentle. Each time the pump touched her, Hannah shivered uncontrollably. Oscar watched her with concern.

"It does hurt, a little," she admitted.

Oscar nodded, his hands growing ever gentler.

"How's Lillian? Is she okay?" Hannah asked naturally.

"She's fine," Oscar replied casually.

"Great," Hannah murmured. "I keep reliving the scene of Lillian's fall. If I hurt the baby because of me, I'll carry the guilt for life."

"Hannah, please don't. It's not your fault," Oscar said, finding it unbearable to watch her suffer needless pain and blame. He knew he'd hurt her deeply, and he wouldn't let her endure any more.

"I mean it," Hannah said seriously. "Cian's child must be protected. Lillian must be safe."

Oscar calmed his own tumultuous emotions. "Please try to take care of yourself, just in case."

Oscar nodded silently.

"But..." Hannah hesitated, her gaze fixed on Oscar.

"But what?" he murmured softly.

He never raised his voice around Hannah, treating her with the care one would show a frightened bird. He felt a responsibility to protect her.

Hannah wondered if he treated Lillian with the same gentleness. Even if he did, she thought it was acceptable. Once calm, she realized she hadn't harmed Lillian's baby.

"Lillian said my accident was planned by Mathew."

Oscar nodded. "Likely."

He'd initially suspected Lillian, but his suspicion had waned; Lillian seemed too unambitious to orchestrate such a thing. However, the rest of the Collins family certainly had the motive to secure their sole inheritance.

"I don't want to hurt Lillian's baby, but that doesn't mean I'll let the culprit go free," Hannah added. "Someone needs to be held accountable for Manuel and our baby's suffering."

"I swear, the culprit will be held accountable," Oscar promised.

"But will that cause you trouble?" she asked.

"Never."

"If Lillian tries to cover for Mathew, and it harms her baby, just let it go," Hannah said sincerely.

"I know how to handle it," Oscar assured her.

"I trust you," Hannah smiled.

Oscar was captivated by her smile; he couldn't recall the last time she'd smiled at him like that. When he heard about the car crash, he’d feared losing her forever. He never dreamed he’d see this smile again.

Overwhelmed with love, he leaned towards Hannah. As he drew closer, she closed her eyes. She'd prepared herself for this, for enduring his kiss.

It was a tentative kiss, like a butterfly settling on a flower. He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, barely touching them.

Just as he began to pull away, Oscar opened his eyes in shock. Hannah was kissing him back, her tongue exploring his lips.

He fought to control his burgeoning desire, his senses consumed by Hannah's allure. Finally, unable to resist any longer, he pulled her into his arms, deepening the kiss.

At that moment, a woman stood in the doorway. Lillian watched them, speechless. She'd thought, after the car crash, reconciliation was impossible. Hannah, as she understood her, would never accept Oscar after her determination to leave him. Even if Hannah survived the plot, they could never be together.

But the scene before her shattered her secret hopes. Had she underestimated Hannah?

Anger clenched her fist, envy twisting her features. Then shock widened her eyes as Hannah glanced back at her.

Oscar, his back to Lillian, remained unaware, but Hannah had seen her. Their gazes locked in hostility.

Was Hannah provoking her?

Lillian burned with fury, but she choked it down, turning to leave. Hannah possessed an uncanny ability to identify her rival's weaknesses.

Lillian knew it was foolish to interrupt them. It would make her look like a loser to Hannah, and risk exposing her secret feelings for Oscar. If he discovered her infatuation, she'd be vulnerable.

As Lillian left, Hannah gently pushed Oscar away. Her judgment was correct; Lillian was smart enough to remain silent. For now, Hannah might be the only one aware of Lillian's interest in Oscar.

Feeling Hannah's movement, Oscar immediately released her.

The air crackled with the awkwardness of their unexpected kiss. Neither had anticipated such intimacy so soon.

Oscar's voice was low. "Do you need a walk?" Gentle exercise would benefit a new mother after a cesarean.

"Yes," Hannah nodded.

She took his hand, and they strolled through the small ward, their fingers intertwined.