Hannah’s eyes slowly opened and she came to. She woke up in the family room, curled up on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket. Memories of last night began to flood back, making Hannah suddenly feel foolish.
After crying her heart out, Hannah lay on the sofa, accompanied by Alden, who remained silent and listened to her ramblings about memories of John.
Not only John, but Hannah also began to ramble about Francesca, Aspen, and even the heartache caused by Jeffrey.
Alden’s reaction, however, was that of a psychiatrist listening without interruption. Finally, Hannah fell asleep.
Hannah sat on the edge of the sofa, massaging her forehead, regretting that she had poured everything out of her heart. If it weren’t for Alden, maybe it wouldn’t matter.
The door to the family room opened and Alden walked in. Hannah turned around and her face immediately flushed.
“Sorry, I fell asleep,” Hannah said in a hoarse voice.
And Alden’s expression remained as cold as ever. “Did you wake up when I came in?”
“No. I woke up earlier.”
“I know you’re still tired, but we have to get to church, Hannah.”
Hannah stood up. “I know. I’ll get ready right away.”
Should Hannah apologize for the unpleasant incident last night? By morning, Hannah felt very remorseful and even briefly considered ending her life.
“Lord, I apologize for my actions last night. I won’t do it again,” Hannah said.
“It’s okay.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Alden cleared his throat quietly. “If you don’t mind, could you help me shave my facial hair to make it neater? I need to look presentable in front of my late father-in-law.”
Hannah’s heart immediately melted. Why was Alden so sweet and reassuring?
“Yes, of course, sir,” Hannah nodded.
The soft sound of Alden’s wheelchair turning as he left the family room as Hannah followed him down the hall. They reached the back patio and Alden placed his chair near the dining table.
Apparently, a razor, shaving cream, scissors, and a basin of warm water had already been set out on the table.
Hannah took a cloth from the back of the chair and used it to cover Alden’s body.
“Can you cut hair, Hannah?” Alden asked.
“Not really, sir. I’m not a barber.”
“But you can, can’t you?”
“I don’t think so. What if we go to the barber instead?”
Alden shook his head. “Just give me a decent cut, you can do it. Because I don’t want to go to a public place.”
Hannah nodded. “Okay.”
For the next thirty minutes, Hannah cut the hair and shaved Alden’s beard and mustache. There was no conversation between them, so Hannah could concentrate better.
Somehow, fleeting memories of John sometimes came up. Hannah’s memories of shaving her father’s face often made her feel better.
What had happened to John was fate. Hannah was beginning to accept that reality.
The final step was to wash Alden’s face with warm water and then dry it.
When she was done, Hannah was lost in thought. She stared at Alden’s form without blinking.
Handsome.
That was the definition that immediately came to Hannah’s mind.
“Do I look bad?” Alden asked suddenly.
“Not at all.” Hannah shook her head quickly.
“Ah, there’s no mirror.” Alden muttered a little. “We have to hurry, get ready, Hannah.”
Hannah nodded politely. “Okay, sir.”
Alden immediately pushed his wheelchair back into the house. Hannah looked at the hair clippings scattered on the floor and looked confused. How could she clean all this up?
Shortly after Alden left, a maid approached Hannah with a box in her arms.
“Mrs. Harrison,” the maid greeted her politely.
“I’m looking for a broom, I need to clean up this hair.”
“No need, ma’am. It’s my job.”
Only then did Hannah realize that she had never done any housework during her stay at Alden’s house. Perhaps because her mind and emotions had been distracted by various problems, it had slipped her mind.
“Mr. Harrison asked you to wear this.” The maid handed Hannah the box.
“Oh, okay. Thank you.”
Hannah returned to her room and hadn’t opened the box. After taking a shower, Hannah finally opened it and saw a black dress, complete with gloves, stockings, and a pair of shoes.
Hannah didn’t know when Alden had bought it, though it would have been easy for him to snap his fingers. Still, the Harrison family hadn’t lost its grip on power.
Hannah hastily left the room and hurried to the front door, as the funeral ceremony would begin in an hour.
Apparently, Alden was already waiting, and he looked so handsome in a black suit with a very fresh face. Unlike when Hannah had first met him.
“Mr. Sears would be proud to see you,” Alden said suddenly.
“Why is that?”
“Because you look strong, even though you’re hurt so badly.”
“Not really, I’m just hiding the pain in my heart, sir.”
“That’s better.” Alden nodded. “You don’t have to show your sadness to the world. For no one cares about the feelings in your heart.”
Those words hit Hannah hard. It sounded so cruel, but it was true. Few people empathize in this rapidly evolving world.
“One more thing, Hannah. Don’t say a word if anything happens at Mr. Sears’ funeral. Understand?” Alden added.
“Like what, sir?”
“Anything. Because I have a feeling your stepmother and stepsister won’t let you rest.”
“They couldn’t possibly dare. Besides, this is a funeral.”
“You’re the one who described what they’ve been like all this time. So what makes you think they won’t be able to do it at your father’s funeral?”
Hannah regretted saying bad things about Francesca and Aspen, even though it was true. But to hear it from her own lips made Hannah feel just as bad as the mother and daughter.
What Hannah feared was that Alden thought she was no different.
What Hannah didn’t know was that Alden had heard Francesca and Aspen’s words on the phone earlier.
Alden didn’t hate them; he just wanted the two women to go away and stay away. Any further involvement with Francesca and Aspen would be pointless.
“Okay, sir. I won’t say anything,” Hannah replied.
“Good. That’s what I want to hear from you.”