Chapter 870: “Would You Accept My Gratitude by Sex?”

When Lillian left Hannah's ward, she encountered Theodore on her way back. He had been searching for her; his responsibility was to stay with Lillian, but a call had summoned him away, and upon his return, she was gone. Her disappearance frightened him, as he couldn't risk anything happening to Cian's child. He was relieved to find her safe.

"Where have you been?" Theodore asked sharply.

"I went to talk to Hannah," Lillian replied, her tone genial yet slightly aggrieved.

"Why? She must be furious. Don't worry, Oscar will handle it. You shouldn't get involved," Theodore said coldly.

"I only wanted to apologize," Lillian said sorrowfully. "Thinking about Manuel and Hannah's baby still in the ICU tortures me with guilt and pity. I came to apologize sincerely, but to my surprise..."

"Surprise?" Theodore frowned.

Did Hannah send her away again? he wondered. He understood Hannah, but he still couldn't accept her harshness toward Cian's child.

"You don't need to go into details," Lillian added, sensing his thoughts. She needed to portray herself as a kind, considerate victim. "Hannah didn't speak ill of me."

"So?" Theodore was puzzled. If Hannah hadn't wronged Lillian, why the awkwardness?

"I saw Hannah and Oscar kissing," Lillian said shyly, affecting an embarrassment befitting an accidental witness rather than a jealous observer.

Her explanation surprised Theodore. He doubted it. Could Hannah really allow Oscar to touch her? Had she changed her mind?

"So I felt a little embarrassed," Lillian murmured.

Her apparent embarrassment impressed Theodore. He found it rare to find a woman who could resist Oscar's considerable charm. Initially, he'd worried Lillian might be one of those women who would become consumed by love, possibly leading to conflict with Hannah. But, thankfully, she didn't seem interested in Oscar.

"They were once a loving couple, and they'll be again once this misunderstanding is cleared up," Theodore said.

"Luckily, I'm not between them," Lillian said, relieved. "I feel guilty about their divorce. If my presence affected their relationship, I'll never escape that guilt."

"Don't blame yourself. So much is beyond your control," Theodore comforted her. "Let's go. The doctor wants you to rest for the sake of your baby."

"Thank you, Theodore. You're so kind," Lillian said, smiling.

Her sweetness stunned Theodore; it was the first time anyone had called him kind.

A week later, Hannah was recovering but remained in the hospital with her baby. After a week of intensive care, the baby was out of danger, though still frail. He needed to remain in an incubator for another week before a potential discharge.

Manuel was also stable, though still comatose. The doctor assured Susan that this wasn't a vegetative state; Manuel showed slight responses when addressed, but his weakness prevented him from moving or staying awake for long.

Susan sat beside him, gazing at his battered face. "Manuel, are you still alive? If so, please move your thumb," she pleaded sadly.

Manuel remained motionless. Susan's despair grew. The doctor had said he could respond; why the silence? Was the doctor wrong?

She started to call the doctor, but felt a slight tug on her hand—almost imperceptible.

She stared at his hand, disbelief washing over her. He was so thin.

"Manuel, can you hear me?"

She saw a tiny nod from his bony jaw. Overwhelmed with joy, tears welled in her eyes. "Thank you, Buddha, God, Father, everyone in heaven…" she cried out.

Her outburst startled him. Couldn't she keep quiet? Patients need rest, he thought.

"If you're alive, why didn't you respond?" Susan wailed, her desperation bordering on hysteria.

Her distraught complaints stifled Manuel's desire to communicate. Her first question sounded more like an accusation than a concern.

He remained silent until she calmed down. Then, she leaned close, whispering, "Manuel, Hannah delivered her baby, and it's a…"

She paused, forgetting to ask the baby's sex. No one had told her.

But it didn't matter. "The doctor says the baby is out of danger. If all goes well, the baby will leave the hospital in a week. Don't worry. Both Hannah and the baby are safe."

Finally, Manuel was satisfied. He lay still, wordless and motionless.

Watching his weakness, Susan was heartbroken. "Thank you, Manuel," she whispered, the words heartfelt. Without him, she would have lost her best friend and the baby.

How could she possibly express her gratitude? Then, she said, "Would you accept my gratitude through sex?"