Alden had completed various check-ups and was now awaiting the doctor’s decision. Hannah sat beside Alden, looking at the x-ray results shown by the doctor.
“You should have started therapy right after the accident, sir,” the doctor said.
Hannah’s unease grew; the doctor’s opening remarks sounded skeptical. However, she held herself back, not daring to speak.
“It will be very difficult to heal you; it will take a very long time. We can’t even guarantee that you will walk normally again,” the doctor continued.
Hannah felt Alden’s grip tighten. Although his face looked calm, his eyes showed deep disappointment.
“So, what are the odds, doc?” Alden asked.
“Only twenty or thirty percent. But, if you still want to undergo therapy, we will do our best.”
Hearing the doctor’s response, Alden just gave a brief nod.
“No, I won’t do any therapy.
Hannah stared at Alden in surprise. Seeing him in his wheelchair, holding a bundle of ice cream with a pleading look, made her feel pity. She nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. Alden hurried to join her.“I got a few different flavors. Which one do you want?” Alden asked.“Why are you acting like this toward me?”Alden looked at Hannah. “I don’t know how to apologize to you, and I want you to forgive me.”“So you’re bribing me with ice cream?”“That’s all I could think of.”Hannah felt angry, hurt, and upset, but she couldn’t help but laugh. It was truly ridiculous.“You’re so annoying!” Hannah hissed as she took the ice cream from Alden’s lap. “You’re not allowed to have a single bite. This is all mine.”“So you forgive me?”“Not exactly.” Hannah shrugged.Alden
“What?” Hannah was shocked.“Are you having an affair with Gulfman?” Alden repeated.“Why would you think that?”Alden clenched his fists. He wanted to destroy everything in front of him but held back. His breathing was heavy with anger.“You lied, Hannah! I tracked your movements, and you went out of town. Then you rushed back. What were you doing with Bernard? A quickie?”Hannah hurried over to Alden and slapped him hard.For this, Hannah didn’t care if Alden would throw her out or hate her. But she was not a cheap woman as Alden thought. She went to seek hope for her husband's recovery.Not to be accused of cheating!It was truly cruel!“Take back what you said!” Hannah shouted angrily.“Why should I? Why are you angry? Are you afraid of getting caught? Pretending to love me all this time?”“I AM LOVING YOU!!”
The hour-and-a-half drive out of town didn’t make Hannah comfortable. Early in the morning, she had told Alden she needed to go to the office early and had to skip breakfast. Alden didn’t protest; he simply agreed.However, Hannah felt like a traitor, taking actions that Alden hadn’t approved of, even though her reasons were for his well-being. She wasn’t sure if that was enough justification.Throughout the journey, Hannah didn’t talk much with Bernard, only occasionally engaging in light conversation, as Bernard focused on driving. He deliberately sped up to get them there sooner.Bernard took her to a hospital specializing in therapy and trauma cases. Their arrival was greeted by the doctor in the hospital lobby.“Bernard, how are you?”The doctor, who seemed to be in his early 40s like Bernard, embraced him as if they were old friends. Hannah smiled awkwardly as she shook the doctor’s hand.
Alden had completed various check-ups and was now awaiting the doctor’s decision. Hannah sat beside Alden, looking at the x-ray results shown by the doctor.“You should have started therapy right after the accident, sir,” the doctor said.Hannah’s unease grew; the doctor’s opening remarks sounded skeptical. However, she held herself back, not daring to speak.“It will be very difficult to heal you; it will take a very long time. We can’t even guarantee that you will walk normally again,” the doctor continued.Hannah felt Alden’s grip tighten. Although his face looked calm, his eyes showed deep disappointment.“So, what are the odds, doc?” Alden asked.“Only twenty or thirty percent. But, if you still want to undergo therapy, we will do our best.”Hearing the doctor’s response, Alden just gave a brief nod.“No, I won’t do any therapy.
Hannah escorted Alden to the hospital to meet with a doctor, and they conversed quietly. Occasionally, Hannah giggled at Alden's jokes. Suddenly, from the opposite direction, Hannah spotted Aspen with her noticeably pregnant belly, walking arm-in-arm with Jeffrey.Aspen appeared stunned, as did Jeffrey. Aspen observed Hannah's current appearance, which was completely different. Hannah looked so elegant, dressed in undoubtedly expensive clothes, and appeared happy. That was what made Aspen so angry! Hannah was supposed to look miserable, especially after Jeffrey left her to get married. Hannah's marriage was supposed to be unhappy. So why did everything turn around? Aspen was intensely jealous.“Mr. Harrison,” Jeffrey greeted with a brief nod.Aspen suppressed her irritation. Jeffrey shouldn't have done that. They should have passed by Hannah and Alden as if they didn't know each other. Aspen wanted to snap at Jeffrey right then and there.&ldq
"Aspen is pregnant, she's not working, and neither is Jeffrey. I don’t know what to do; everything’s gone. Please, sir, at least let Jeffrey work again,” Francesca pleaded.“I can’t bring Jeffrey back to work at Texco because your daughter already caused trouble there. Besides, Texco belongs to Hannah, not me,” Alden said.Francesca knelt. “I will do anything. But please, forgive me and my daughter. I will crawl and beg Hannah for forgiveness if she demands it. But don’t torment us like this.”“Torment? We haven’t done anything to you.”Francesca’s sobbing grew louder. Alden exhaled deeply.“Please, don’t do this, Mrs. Sears,” Alden said.“Please, I’ll keep kneeling…” Francesca trembled. “I don’t know who else to ask for help. Only you and Hannah can help. Please, Mr. Alden.”“Stand up, Mrs.