Chapter 969: An Unqualified Father

Oscar watched Besse walk away, without a pause.

Doyle's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Where's Besse?"

"She went back to her room."

"Why did she leave on her own?" Doyle sounded annoyed. "Well, I'm going back too."

"Okay," Oscar replied, nodding politely.

"Thanks for dinner, Mr. Commander," Doyle said with a courteous smile before hurrying away.

Left alone, Oscar remained seated. He couldn't bring himself to leave; he wasn't ready to let go of the moment. His phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered.

"Theodore."

"Oscar! You're still not home?!"

"Do you have something important?"

"I found the information you requested and sent it to your phone. I also printed a copy to bring over."

"Just leave it at my house," Oscar said calmly.

"I'm coming over now," Theodore said urgently. "When will you be home?"

"Soon."

"I have other plans tonight. Once I drop off the documents, I'll leave immediately."

"Sure thing."

"Come back early."

"Mhm."

"Oh, and did you see Besse?" Theodore asked, his nosiness surfacing.

Oscar remained silent.

"Once you read the documents, you'll realize who she is."

Theodore sighed heavily, but Oscar hung up without reply.

Resigned, Oscar left the hotel. He felt a familiar pull, following Besse's path.

Back at the Commander's Estate, Theodore had left, leaving a pile of documents on the table.

"Dad."

Oscar put down the documents and turned to Salem. Checking the clock, he asked, "Sal, why aren't you asleep?"

"Uncle Theodore came. He said you were coming home, so I waited," Salem replied.

"What are you still doing awake? It's late." Oscar felt guilty. He stood and stroked Salem's head. "Do you have anything to tell me?"

"Tomorrow is my birthday."

Oscar realized his failure. He was, indeed, an unqualified father.

"Can you come home early tomorrow? I want to have dinner with you, Dad," Salem asked.

Salem's well-behaved nature often tugged at Oscar's heart. Now, he asked cautiously, almost whispering.

Oscar crouched down. "Dad will spend the whole day with you tomorrow."

"Really?" Salem exclaimed, then quickly calmed himself. "Will it delay your work?"

"Nope," Oscar smiled. "Dad took leave to spend time with you and Una."

"Really?" Salem was surprised again. "You won't work at all? No early mornings or late nights?"

"I'm sorry," Oscar apologized sincerely. "I've been too busy. I neglected you and Una."

"It's okay. I understand," Salem said softly. "Dad is the Commander. Dad is the greatest!"

A pang of guilt struck Oscar. Sometimes his dedication wasn't noble, but an escape.

He kissed Salem's forehead. "Go to sleep. Dad will take you and Una out tomorrow."

"Okay," Salem replied, nodding excitedly.

Oscar tucked him into bed.

"Dad," Salem called out as Oscar left.

"Hmm?"

"Good night."

"Good night."

Oscar smiled, watching the boy sleep. Salem's maturity often made him forget the child's need for attention. He knew, deep down, he often closed himself off. He wasn't great or selfless; he was selfish.

Oscar picked up the files and returned to his bedroom. The documents indicated Besse was different from Hannah. Their lives never intersected. He'd also had Theodore investigate if Doyle had been in Northfield four years ago.

The answer was no.

Oscar lit a cigarette. The phone rang. It was Theodore.

"Oscar, did you see it?" Theodore asked, background noise audible.

"You're at a nightclub again?" Oscar frowned.

"It's a dinner party. I'll be back soon," Theodore evaded the question.

Oscar didn't press. He had advisory, not decision-making, power over Theodore's life.

"Did you look at the documents?"

"Yeah."

"It's not what you thought."

"You investigated Besse, not Hannah," Oscar said, taking a deep drag.

"...Aren't you suspecting Besse is Hannah?" Theodore was speechless.

"I'm telling you, Besse isn't Hannah! Stop it! I haven't found her body, but with that explosion and currents, there's no chance of survival..."

"It's Salem's birthday tomorrow," Oscar interrupted.

"What do you need me to do?" Theodore asked.

"Tomorrow, I'm taking Sal and Una out. Arrange our itinerary."

"Finally taking your son out, huh?"

"You act like that's commonplace for you," Oscar retorted.

Theodore changed the subject. "Where are you going tomorrow?"

"Time Paradise."

"It'll be crowded," Theodore complained.

"Ensure security," Oscar said firmly.

"Alright."