Chapter 921

Rowan is cunning and shrewd. If he's making a move now, he must have a plan; otherwise, he wouldn't have compromised during our past battles against the Collins and Balderston families. We held an advantage, yet couldn't easily subdue him. His restraint then speaks to his caution. Oscar analyzed, "We can't underestimate him."

Theodore understood this, of course. Yet, he believed they could kill Rowan, however sly, at the cost of greater casualties. From a broader perspective, some sacrifices were necessary. Oscar wasn't indecisive.

"And," Oscar continued, "I can only protect one person."

Theodore's heart lurched. He grasped Oscar's intentions: he wouldn't let history repeat itself. He'd lost Cian while protecting Hannah, blaming only his own inadequacy. Facing a similar situation with Hannah, Salem, and Una, he wouldn't allow that again.

"Will you lose Hannah if you do this?" Theodore asked.

Oscar, knowing their history, wouldn't reveal his inner turmoil to Hannah until everything was settled. Were things to unfold this way, Hannah's level-headed nature would lead to her acceptance of his choice—and to his irrevocable loss. Even their deep feelings wouldn't withstand the heartbreak.

"Yes," Oscar nodded.

Regardless, Hannah was drifting further away. Since the accident, she'd been eager to leave him. He'd prepared himself for her loss; this extra year felt earned, sufficient.

Theodore sighed heavily.

"You've been through a lot, Theodore," Oscar said.

"I'm fine, I just worry about you becoming depressed," Theodore confessed, genuinely concerned.

Oscar's silence and emotional detachment were deepening daily; Theodore feared he might succumb to despair.

"I'm hanging up," Oscar said, ending the call. He leaned back in his car seat, sighing heavily. Even depression felt like a luxury. Extinguishing his cigarette, he exited the car and entered the castle.

Heading to his room, Lillian intercepted him. "Oscar, did you eat dinner?" she asked, feigning concern. Having learned of his trip to Kensbury, she'd checked on him. Seeing him, disappointment washed over her; another opportunity to strike against him had slipped away.

"Lillian."

The tone of his voice sent shivers down her spine, despite their animosity; an undeniable attraction remained. She fought to control her emotions.

"It's over, between Hannah and me," he said quietly, a blend of grief and composure.

Lillian was stunned. She'd believed Oscar would never relinquish Hannah. Even his extended absence in Kensbury due to Una hadn't diminished his feelings, as far as she knew. How could it end like this? Was he playing a game? Doubt warred with a surge of excitement. If he'd ended things with Hannah, could their relationship progress?

"I went back to Kensbury today," Oscar admitted.

Lillian listened intently, controlling her emotions. His visit had been brief; Rowan wasn't ready, so he'd returned. His precision was unnerving.

"Today is Salem's first birthday," Oscar continued softly.

"Really?" Lillian forced a smile. "Happy birthday to Salem."

"He didn't want me today," Oscar said, as if speaking of a stranger. "He cried when I held him."

"A short visit; children are like that, clinging to whoever's present. Infrequent contact breeds fear and avoidance," Lillian countered, subtly goading him. "Una does the same; she cries with strangers, but clings to you, having been raised by you." She highlighted the disparity in his time with Una and Salem.

"I thought I could balance both," Oscar continued, ignoring her provocation.

Lillian observed him, sensing a difference.

"I thought I could care for you, Una, Hannah, and Salem. But returning to Kensbury showed me how wrong I was," Oscar chuckled ruefully. "Hannah and Salem don't need me. I'm a stranger to them."

"Oscar, you've just been too busy," Lillian consoled him.

"That's why I'm letting go," Oscar said, seemingly oblivious to her words, unloading his burdens.

Lillian's lips pursed. His words stirred her heart, but trust remained elusive.

"Let's live well from now on," Oscar said slowly, directly addressing Lillian.

Suppressing her emotions, Lillian asked, "Are you willing to let go of Hannah and Salem?"

He didn't answer directly, only stating, "I don't want two women hurt for me again."