For almost a week, Hannah had understood her daily schedule, accompanied Alden to mealtimes, and not disturbed the man except when Alden contacted her by phone.
For example, Alden suddenly sent Hannah a message that night asking her to come to the living room.
Hannah was almost dozing off when she got the message from Alden, so she hurried to the family room. She didn’t want to hear Alden’s complaints about her being slothful.
When Hannah arrived, Alden sat on the couch, staring at the fireplace as if lost in thought. Hannah cleared her throat quietly, then approached Alden.
“You called for me, Mr. Alden?” Hannah asked.
Alden picked up a file from the empty space beside him, then patted the sofa without looking at Hannah. “Sit down.”
Awkwardly, Hannah sat down next to Alden. Suddenly, Alden’s hand placed the files on Hannah’s lap.
“These are your assignments for tomorrow at Texco. I’ve written down what you need to do,” Alden said. “Try not to ask Mr. Gulfman too many questions. He’s the head of the company, not your tutor.”
Hannah swallowed nervously. “Okay.”
“Because I know you’re probably not used to this, I will have someone accompany you. Just temporarily.”
In Hannah’s mind, for some reason, she pictured the secretary, Susan, which made Hannah cringe.
Hannah nodded. “Thank you.”
“Take these documents and study them independently, but I don’t want you to stay up too late,” Alden continued.
“Is there anything else I need to do?” Hannah asked.
“What are you going to do with me?” Alden countered, then stared directly at Hannah.
“I-I…”
Alden shook his head firmly. “Nothing. Good night, Hannah.”
Hannah’s feelings were a mixture of relief and heartbreak. It was as if Hannah was something Alden didn’t really want. Then why did Alden marry her? Just as a game or as a companion in moments of loneliness?
Being a companion in loneliness was still much better than being treated like a toy.
Hannah rose from her seat. “Good night, Mr. Alden. Have a good rest.”
Then Hannah walked to the door, the documents in her arms. As she was about to close the door, she suddenly heard Alden call out.
“Hannah!”
The woman turned immediately. “Yes, Mr. Alden?”
“If my father wants to see you tomorrow, meet him. It doesn’t matter if you’re late for Texco.”
Meet Maxim Harrison? Hannah’s body suddenly felt cold.
“Will I be meeting Mr. Harrison with you, sir?” Hannah asked.
Alden shook his head. “No, just you. You’re his daughter-in-law.”
Yes, and you’re his son! Hannah cursed inwardly, annoyed.
“All right,” Hannah nodded.
*
Hannah ate breakfast alone and didn’t know where Alden was, but Hannah didn’t care. As soon as she finished breakfast, Edward met Hannah in the dining room.
“Mrs. Hannah, I’m going abroad with Mr. Maxim this morning,” Edward said. He also gave a slight smile. “Mr. Maxim asked if you could meet him at the hospital before we leave.”
“Now?”
“Yes, of course. The car is waiting for you.”
Hannah didn’t take long to go to the hospital with the documents because she wanted to go straight to Texco after meeting Maxim Harrison.
Edward didn’t say a word on the way. There wasn’t even a conversation between Edward and the driver who accompanied Hannah. It was as if they did not know each other.
The ride to the hospital seemed so long and tedious to Hannah.
When they arrived at St. Laurent Hospital, Hannah followed Edward to meet Maxim Harrison, who was treated on the third floor.
It was a very elite and luxurious hospital. Apparently, even a former billionaire could afford such an expensive hospital.
Hannah’s heart is stabbed as she has to sell herself to pay for her father’s hospital bills. But Hannah doesn’t regret it.
Hannah regrets why her father, who is so kind, has to suffer so much. Especially since he married Francesca and had a crazy stepchild like Aspen.
When she reached the third floor, Hannah walked down a relatively large, quiet hallway. There were large doors to the left and right with some distance between them.
There were only ten rooms on this floor and a nurses’ station. Each room was for one patient.
Edward carefully opened the fourth door from the left and led Hannah inside. Maxim’s room looked different from a hospital room. There was a cream-colored velvet sofa, a coffee table, a television on the wall, a refrigerator, and a door separating the patient area.
It was more like a comfortable bedroom, giving off a cozy vibe, designed so the patient wouldn’t feel oppressed.
Hannah even thought leaving the hospital immediately after treatment would stress out the patients when paying the bills.
Edward opened another door leading to Maxim’s bed, and apparently, Hannah’s father-in-law was sitting looking out the window. It was the first time Hannah had seen Maxim.
“Sir, Miss Hannah is here,” Edward said.
Miss? Hannah questioned in her thought.
Maxim had a friendly face, unlike Alden, who always seemed grumpy. However, Alden’s eyes were clearly a copy of his father’s. The middle-aged man’s body was thinner than Hannah’s father’s, and his hair was already white.
“Oh, John’s daughter?” Maxim’s eyes sparkled. He held out both hands. “Come here, I want to see you better.”
It wasn’t the warm welcome Hannah hoped for, but Maxim improved her morning. The man was exceptionally kind. Hannah approached Maxim, and they embraced, awkwardly for her at least.
“How is John? Is he okay?” Maxim asked.
Hannah nodded. “Thanks to your help, Mr. Harrison, my father’s condition is more stable. He will be leaving the hospital in a few weeks.”
Maxim looked surprised. “John is sick? Why wasn’t I informed?”
Hannah immediately became confused and looked at the head servant. Edward, however, avoided Hannah’s gaze and looked elsewhere.
Then Maxim turned to his head butler. “Edward, I told you… whatever it is, you should inform me.”
” I am terribly sorry, sir; at that time, Mr. Alden was in charge of everything. I thought he had informed you,” Edward apologized, bowing his head.
“Ah, convey my excuse to John, will you, Hannah?” Maxim said sincerely. “When I’m well and back, I’ll see John. I need to apologize to your father in person.”
“Yes, sir,” Hannah smiled.
“I’m waiting for Alden to propose to Aspen whenever he decides.”
Hannah was surprised to hear this and immediately looked at Edward, this time with a half-glowing expression. Hadn’t Edward told Maxim he couldn’t be there when Hannah married?
Didn’t Maxim know that Hannah was his daughter-in-law?