Simon let out a loud groan, but Hannah didn't look back. She ran straight into the living room and slammed the door. There was no lock! Quickly, she pushed a small cupboard against the door to block it.
Fear gave Hannah unexpected strength as she piled more furniture against the door, trying to keep Simon from breaking in.
Breathing heavily, she stepped back. Loud banging echoed from the other side.
"Open the door, Hannah. Why are you acting like this? We can talk about this, can't we?" Simon's voice came from outside.
Hannah shook her head. "Go to hell, you psycho!"
"Hannah... you don't want me to get angry, do you? I've been patient with you."
"Leave me alone, Simon!"
"I can't do that. What if you get hungry? I'm here to take care of you." A pause. "And Henry... I know you have a little baby. Do you miss Henry? What if I brought him here to make you feel better?"
Hannah's eyes widened in horror. No! Simon couldn't take Henry!
"Kenneth! Look at my wedding dress, isn't it beautiful?"Sarah pointed to the wedding dress on the mannequin in the living room and showed it to her brother. Kenneth had just walked in and just nodded."Where's Alden? It's late and he's not back yet," Sarah complained. "He said he was just going to the courthouse.""Alden had to go to Goldtime for a meeting he couldn't miss.""But Bernard is in charge of the company now."Kenneth approached Sarah. "Alden is still the owner. If he doesn't take care of the company's future, everything he's worked for could collapse, Sarah."Sarah immediately pouted and crossed her arms."Are you sure he's at Goldtime? Not looking for Hannah?" Sarah said suddenly."What are you talking about?""Listen, Kenneth, Alden must never find out that Hannah had a child with him." Sarah glared at her brother. "I want you to swear! Until the day I die, you must never say anything to Alden.""Wa
Victoria's face turned pale and she nearly lost her balance in shock. Ashton quickly grabbed his mother to steady her and cast a puzzled glance at Alden, who had just casually called her by name.Ashton immediately turned his cautious gaze to Alden. "What do you mean, Mr. Harrison?""The name reminds me of someone named Victoria," Alden replied. "Sorry, I was just babbling.""There are always coincidences," Ashton replied. "Well, goodbye, Mr. Harrison.""Yes, goodbye," Alden echoed.Hannah, Ashton and Victoria hurried to the car. Ashton kept looking at his mother's face, noticing how uncharacteristically quiet and shaken she was. Hannah noticed it too, wondering if Alden had triggered Victoria's reaction. But why? Was there something between them?In the car, Ashton looked in the rearview mirror."Mom, have you ever met Alden Harrison?" Ashton asked."No," Victoria replied, shaking her head, though her eyes remained fixed on th
Ashton opened the door to Hannah's office and gave her a reassuring smile. Hannah, who was sitting at her laptop, immediately stood up, her face filled with worry. She quickly walked over to Ashton and wrapped her arms tightly around him."I was worried," she whispered."No blood was spilled." Ashton chuckled. "It's all taken care of with Alden Harrison.""Really?"Hannah looked at Ashton, half in disbelief. She knew how stubborn and occasionally temperamental Alden could be, though he rarely showed it."He's agreed to sign the adoption papers for Henry," Ashton said."That easy?""Yes, as simple as that."As they moved to sit on the couch together, Ashton said, "He mentioned that you can't have children... Isn't that weird? Or maybe he's just trying to avoid responsibility for Henry?""He what?""Never mind. As long as Henry is with us, we don't have to worry about Alden Harrison interfering with our family again
Hannah immediately called Ashton, her heart racing. As soon as the call connected, she began to speak, clearly freaking out."Ashton, my ex-husband is stalking me. I don't know what he wants! He asked about Henry and tried to force me to go with him. Oh God..." Hannah panicked."Okay, calm down. Slow down, honey," Ashton replied from the other end. "Where are you now?""I'm on my way to the hospital. I'm in a cab.""How long until you get here?""Less than fifteen minutes.""All right, calm yourself. I'll wait for you in the hospital lobby. Don't worry, okay?"Hannah nodded, though her nerves were still frayed. "O-okay."After hanging up, Hannah looked back and saw that Alden's car was still following her. She couldn't understand why Alden insisted on bothering her. What did he want?When Hannah finally arrived at the hospital, she was relieved to see Ashton waiting outside the lobby with two security guards at his side.
Hannah awoke to soft kisses running down her neck. The fresh scent of soap made her fully awake and she looked at Ashton, who was now lying next to her."Go back to sleep," Ashton whispered."Did you just get home?" Hannah asked, turning over and snuggling into Ashton's embrace.Ashton nodded and tightened his grip on her. "Sorry, I got home really late.""That's okay. I know you've been busy as usual," Hannah chuckled softly.Ashton kissed Hannah again."Oh, by the way, Mrs. Clark called me while I was at the hospital earlier," Ashton said."What did she say?""Well, she asked about the ownership of the house—whether it was your or mine, since we're not married yet." Ashton cleared his throat softly. "I told her to put it in your name.""But...""The house is yours. I've already decided."Hannah looked at Ashton in disbelief. Buying a house? For her? It seemed a bit too much."Actually, I alre
Francesca was ready to go home and looked refreshed. The middle-aged woman linked her arm with Hannah's. The two laughed quietly as they left the room.Aspen, Jeffrey and Jacy were waiting for Francesca in the hallway. They all walked down the hall to the main entrance of the hospital."Come by the house later, Hannah. I want to see my grandson," Francesca said."I will. Maybe this weekend? I'll ask Ashton if he can come.""I hope he can. I'd like to meet your fiancé."From another hallway came the sound of hurried footsteps. Hannah turned to see Ashton jogging toward them, waving. Hannah smiled, surprised that Ashton had taken the time to meet Francesca."I ran here as fast as I could," Ashton said, breathing heavily.Hannah giggled. "Just slow down, honey."Francesca, Aspen, and Jeffrey were startled to see the handsome doctor who had arrived. Ashton's face resembled Alden's, only this one was younger and friendlier.