2. Pressed by Circumstances

"I don't want to marry him!"

Hannah declared in front of Francesca and John.

It was the first time Hannah had expressed her refusal after years of acquiescing and silently following her parents' wishes or, more accurately, Francesca's whims.

"Are you stupid? Alden is richer than Jeffrey! You should be grateful that you get to marry him!" Francesca retorted even more strongly.

Alden Harrison, the 28-year-old son of a bankrupt billionaire, had recently used a wheelchair due to an accident.

Alden had kept a low profile, not appearing in the media before or after the incident. So, Hannah was unaware of Alden's condition and the struggles of Maxim Harrison's older son, who was depressed and ailing. But it wasn't about who Alden was or his status.

Hannah felt she had lost her dignity. Francesca casually offered Hannah to marry Alden as a substitute for Aspen. To make matters worse, Alden's right-hand man, Edward, would discuss it with his boss.

It felt like a covert trade in women! Hannah wasn't someone to be treated so ruthlessly anymore.

"Why didn't Aspen marry Alden in the first place?" Hannah challenged.

Suddenly, a brutal slap landed on Hannah's cheek. The stinging pain hit her as she sat frozen. She tried to hold back her tears, but they couldn't be held back.

"I raised you; I took care of you! How dare you defy me?!" Francesca erupted in anger.

"No, Frances, wait!" John tried to mediate the uneven argument.

"Look at your daughter, John! I've always tried to be patient, and now she's bold. But you always protect her!" Francesca exclaimed.

John looked at Hannah with a melancholy look and gently held his daughter's hand. "Hannah, listen to me for a moment."

Hannah shook her head. Wasn't the suffering enough for her? After letting go of Jeffrey for Aspen, did she have to replace her stepsister? Aspen ruthlessly took Jeffrey away just because she didn't want to marry a billionaire's son in a wheelchair.

Instead of hopeful dreams, Hannah's thoughts drifted to Jeffrey and Aspen, who were currently on the honeymoon Hannah had planned months ago.

It hurt; Hannah's heart ached terribly.

"Maxim is my childhood friend, and Alden is a good young man. You just need to get to know Alden," John said, looking deeply into Hannah's eyes.

"I don't want to marry a stranger, Dad," Hannah sobbed.

Francesca laughed discordantly, her hands on her hips. "Then who am I going to marry to Alden?!"

Hannah ignored Francesca and gripped John's hand tighter. "Why do I have to marry this man, Dad?"

"It's an old promise I must keep, Hannah," John replied quietly.

"Oh, your father is bankrupt! You're lucky to still live in this house if it weren't for Mr. Maxim's help! He asked for nothing but to marry his son to either you or Aspen!" Francesca ranted. She glanced at John briefly, then shifted her gaze back to Hannah. "But your father never rose from his fall either. Are you still willing to let your family suffer, Hannah?"

"Frances, please. Let me talk to Hannah alone," John pleaded.

"Can't you be firm with her! You're always weak, John!" Francesca glared in frustration.

"Stop! I need..."

John's words were cut off as he suddenly clutched his chest. He groaned and collapsed to the floor.

John lost consciousness.

"Dad! Dad!" Hannah screamed in fear.

*

Hannah looked through the glass window where John lay on the bed with various medical instruments attached to his body.

She hugged herself, feeling the deep silence and intense fear. Half of Hannah's soul had felt like it was floating away when her mother was pronounced dead.

"Oh, Dad," Hannah whispered sadly.

John had had a heart attack. The doctors recommended surgery to stabilize his condition. The decision to have surgery didn't guarantee that it would save John's life, but it seemed like the best option. Without it, John's life wouldn't last more than a few days.

But the cost was exorbitant. John had no health insurance because Francesca never thought about emergencies. The middle-aged woman only thought about living comfortably and having fun.

Now, it was unlikely that Francesca would risk anything to save John.

A cold feeling filled Hannah. What if she lost John forever? No, Hannah didn't want to lose her father.

"Will you just stand still?" Francesca suddenly asked Hannah from behind.

Hannah turned to see Francesca's troubled face. But when their eyes met, Francesca showed a sour expression.

"Where will I get the money for Dad's operation?" Hannah muttered in confusion.

"I don't have a job; I don't know how to get money!" Francesca replied in frustration.

Hannah sighed quietly. "Can't Mom contact Aspen and Jeffrey? Maybe Jeffrey's company can lend us some money."

"What about your company?" Francesca retorted.

Hannah shook her head. "I can't. There are still loans from the last time Dad was in the hospital."

"Aspen is stupid. Why did she marry that poor ex-boyfriend of yours!" Francesca cursed.

Hannah's heart felt torn.

"And because you wouldn't marry Maxim's son, your father ended up like this!" her stepmother accused.

Then Francesca walked away, hurrying down the corridor. Hannah felt deeply guilty. If only this marriage question didn't shake John, Hannah wouldn't mind. As long as John was healthy and lived peacefully in his old age.

At the end of the corridor, Francesca's sobs could be heard as she spoke on the phone.

There was no chance that Francesca was calling Aspen because Hannah's stepsister never cared about John. When John was struggling, his business was failing, and he was in pain, all Hannah heard from Aspen was complaints. How unfortunate Francesca was to marry Hannah's father and suffer such a fate.

Once again, Hannah's heart ached.

Hannah shook off her momentary reverie and approached Francesca. Regardless, John had to be saved, no matter the risk.

"I beg you, perhaps Mr. Maxim can help us again?"

Francesca pleaded. Whether she was really crying or deepening her role as a desperate wife was uncertain. "If only I could speak to him, Edward."

Hannah held her hand to Francesca, causing her stepmother to react surprisedly. Francesca's lips moved silently, "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to Edward," Hannah said clearly.

"Edward, wait a moment. My daughter wants to talk," Francesca said, handing over the phone. Again, she whispered something, but Hannah paid no attention.

Hannah pressed her ear to the screen.

"Hello, Edward? This is Hannah."

"Yes, Miss Hannah."

"I need to discuss something with Mr. Maxim or perhaps his son, Mr. Alden. It concerns my father's safety."

"Neither is available at this time. However, if you have something to say, I'm listening."

Hannah's heart was pounding. She kept telling herself that what she was about to say was an attempt to save John.

"Please tell them, I may sound rude and disrespectful... but I beg you, help my father. I'll do whatever Mr. Maxim or Mr. Alden offer. I will consent to the marriage if that's what your master wants, Edward."

There was silence. There was yet to be an answer from Edward.

"Hello? Edward?" Hannah called.

"Yes?"

Edward's voice changed, becoming heavier and slightly hoarse.

"Sorry, I was talking to Edward. There's something I want to tell Mr. Maxim or Mr. Alden," Hannah said impatiently.

"Just send the hospital's account number and the patient's name. Then come to our residence tomorrow."

The call ended immediately, leaving Hannah in stunned silence.

Who had just been talking to Hannah?