Chapter 884: Get Caught

"I'm even more annoyed!" Michelle said unhappily. "I've seen Lillian on TV, even a few times at the hospital while you were admitted. Why does he think she's better? She was a goody-two-shoes, only good at playing the victim and sowing discord."

Hannah laughed. "Mom, you even know what a 'goody-two-shoes' is?"

"I'm not ancient," Michelle retorted irritably. "Now, you've never cooked. What kind of pasta do you want to make? I'll help you."

"You know how to cook, Mom?" Hannah asked.

"Of course," Michelle said, taking the garlic from Hannah's hand and skillfully separating the cloves. "Before I married your dad, I was a regular girl from a normal family. I didn't suffer much, but I could do all sorts of things. After I married your dad, I didn't have to do anything except focus on our relationship; I'd occasionally cook for him."

"No wonder Dad loves you so much," Hannah teased. "You're so skilled!"

"Is that what you say to your mother?" Michelle asked.

"I'm envious," Hannah said, playfully hugging her mother's waist. "You and Dad have been together for so many years. No matter how much Grandma opposed you initially, you persevered, and you're so happy."

Michelle sighed. "Hannah, I don't understand why you can't meet a good man. First Charles, now Oscar. Are there no good men left?"

"There is," Hannah joked, "but he's already taken—by you."

"You brat!" Michelle scolded affectionately, then her expression changed. "I think Manuel isn't bad."

Hannah nearly choked. "Mom, Manuel loves Susan! How could you even think that?"

"I'm not blind," Michelle said. "I'm not matchmaking. But when you were young, Manuel, Susan, and you grew up together. He was always caring and considerate, always willing to give in to you and Susan. If Grandpa hadn't brought Charles home, I would have thought you'd marry Manuel."

"Whatever," Hannah said. "Besides, Manuel doesn't love me."

"It's funny," Michelle mused, "such a good child, and he ends up with Susan. When you were young, I saw Susan bully him a lot." She seemed quite content with Susan and Manuel's pairing.

"Dumb luck," Hannah teased.

"Susan isn't your best friend? Aren't you afraid she'll hit you for saying that?"

Hannah smiled brightly. "Gossiping about best friends is a basic rule of friendship, isn't it?"

Mother and daughter continued chatting. Hannah was content with her life, but it had to be lasting and undisturbed.

Michelle finished the shrimp pasta. Hannah carried the dish to her bedroom.

Oscar was looking at his phone; he’d napped and wasn’t tired. He was surprised to see Hannah with the dish. He was hungry, but hadn't considered a late-night snack.

He quickly took the pasta. "I thought you were with the baby."

"I was, but I thought you might be hungry," Hannah said. "So I made you some food."

"You made it?" Oscar asked happily.

"Try it first," Hannah replied.

"Okay."

Oscar placed it on a small coffee table, sat on the floor, and ate casually in his pajamas. He looked very different from his on-screen persona.

"I like it," Oscar said after a bite.

"Then eat more."

He ate rapidly. Hannah thought he must be starving; he finished in five minutes. The plate was clean.

"Is it that good?" Hannah asked, surprised.

"Haven't you tasted it?" Oscar asked.

"No, Mom made it and asked me to bring it," Hannah said.

Oscar chuckled.

Hannah blushed. "I'm not good at cooking. Mom didn't want me to mess up the kitchen, so she helped."

"Isn't your mom angry with me?" Oscar asked.

"Her bark is worse than her bite," Hannah replied.

Oscar smiled, got up, and picked up the empty plate. "I'll take these downstairs."

"Leave them to me," Hannah said, taking the plate.

"I'll go with you."

There was no need, but Hannah conceded. They went downstairs together.

In the kitchen, Hannah washed the dishes. Usually, there were housekeepers, but it was late, and she didn't want to wake them. Oscar accompanied her. Her apron reminded him of their old rental in River Town. Things had changed.

He hugged her from behind. Startled, Hannah turned.

"I want to hug you," he said.

Hannah didn't reply, allowing him to hold her. He rested his head on her neck while she washed. His breath tickled her ear, making it blush.

It was quiet. Oscar licked her ear—something he'd been wanting to do. Seeing her blushing earlobe, he couldn't control himself. He held her tighter, and she stumbled back. He nibbled her ear, running his hands over her body.

A cough from the living room interrupted them.

Oscar quickly released Hannah, feeling caught. Hannah laughed.

Michelle appeared. "Aren't you sleeping yet?" she huffed.

"I will be soon. I'm washing dishes," Hannah replied.

Oscar stood beside her, quiet, like a scolded child.

"Hurry up," Michelle ordered. "You have to feed the baby tonight. Sleep well; you'll wake up several times. Don't mess around."

It was practically, "No hanky-panky."

Michelle's voice sharpened when Hannah didn't answer. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes," Oscar quickly replied.