“What gives you the right to pity me?!” Alden snapped.
Hannah just shook her head, shocked by Alden’s outburst. Just because of a woman named Sarah, Alden could become so tyrannical again. After briefly luring Hannah in.
With Alden’s mood swings, who could stand to be around him? No wonder Sarah finally left and gave up. Hannah couldn’t understand.
“I don’t feel sorry for you. Worrying is different from pitying,” Hannah corrected.
“It’s all the same!”
Hannah just dropped her head and conceded. “I’m sorry.”
Would Alden continue his attack after Hannah showed remorse?
Hearing Hannah’s words, Alden seemed to lose his voice. He was silent for a moment, then exhaled deeply. Alden’s eyes were fixed on Hannah’s.
“Hannah, focus on your work and put aside any personal matters. Especially those concerning me, because they are none of your business,” Alden said in a cold tone.
“All right, Alden,” Hannah nodded.
“Whatever happened between us before, you should know that it was a big mistake. And I apologize for making our relationship unprofessional.”
‘Stop!’ Hannah thought. But she didn’t say a word.
“From now on, you don’t need to dig into my past,” Alden concluded.
Then Alden’s wheelchair turned away from Hannah, who stood motionless at the door. Hannah felt instantly drained and even stopped herself from breaking down and crying on the spot.
Hannah’s heart really hurt from Alden’s actions and words, which always hurt her. Alden successfully lifted Hannah up into the clouds, only to bring her back down to earth. That’s what it felt like to be broken into pieces again.
As Alden’s figure disappeared from sight, Hannah went wearily to her room. There were two messages waiting for her as she sat on the edge of her bed.
The first was from Alden, saying he wouldn’t be eating dinner, so Hannah should eat alone. Hannah didn’t reply to this message; she just ignored it.
The second message was from Susan. In her message, Susan only mentioned that she had a meeting with a client tomorrow and that they were going to a downtown restaurant at noon.
Hannah knew she shouldn’t mix personal matters with work, but she needed someone to talk to. She immediately called Susan, and less than a minute later, the call was answered.
“Hi, Hannah. What’s up?” Susan asked.
Hannah couldn’t hold back tears. “Susan?” Hannah began to sob.
“Hannah? Are you okay?”
“No,” Hannah shook her head quickly.
“Mr. Harrison scolded you?”
Hannah nodded again reflexively. “Sort of.”
On the other end, Susan was puzzled as to why Alden would scold Hannah. They’d just had coffee, and Hannah wasn’t late coming home. If Alden wanted Hannah by his side all the time, why let her work? And even run Texco?
“We just had coffee,” Susan said. “Is he mad about that?”
“No,” Hannah paused for a moment. “He’s mad about Sarah’s problem.”
There was a long sigh from the other end. “Oh my, you got caught looking at Sarah? Oh well, Hannah. It’s all over and there’s nothing you can do but apologize to Mr. Harrison.”
“I did.”
“Okay, so what did he say to you?”
“He asked me to focus on work, not on his past.”
There was a moment of silence between them, as if Susan was considering what to say to Hannah.
“Well, what Mr. Harrison said isn’t wrong, Hannah,” Susan said.
Then Susan explained that what had happened to Alden was not something Hannah needed to know. It was indeed painful, especially as a wife, to know that her husband hadn’t moved on from his past.
But Hannah couldn’t force Alden to forget. Alden had to deal with it himself.
Actually, Hannah wasn’t heartbroken because Alden hadn’t forgotten Sarah. But how could she explain it to Susan?
“I guess you’re right,” Hannah said.
“Focus on Texco and I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, Susan.”
“By the way, Hannah. I apologize for my behavior when we first met,” Susan said suddenly.
Yes, Hannah found Susan’s attitude to be rather cold. Somewhat cynical, if only a little.
“That’s okay, Susan. Honestly, I don’t mind if you don’t like me. Maybe you thought I was someone who just came out of nowhere with the power of my husband’s name,” Hannah chuckled.
“At first,” Susan laughed, too. “But after I got to know you, my perspective changed. You may have come to Texco on your husband’s orders, and well, in the end, that’s true, isn’t it?”
“Hmm… that’s true.”
“Besides, if I continue to treat you badly. You might just fire me, because now it’s official that you’re the owner of Texco, Hannah.”
Hannah couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh my, is that what you really think? I wouldn’t have the heart to do that to you, Susan. Just because you were a little cynical about me in the beginning? No… I wouldn’t be that mean.”
“I know. Because you’re a good person, so stay that good, Hannah. Don’t let your heart get hurt and fill it with revenge, Hannah. You’re not that kind of person.”
Hannah fell silent.
Wasn’t that what she was doing? Getting revenge on Jeffrey, Aspen, and Francesca, Hannah was just starting down the path to destroying them. Firing Jeffrey from Texco was just the beginning. And that’s what Alden wanted.
So should Hannah let go of all that? And become a good person, as Susan said?
“Hey, do you feel better now? Everything will be okay from now on, Hannah.”
“Yes, please help me, Susan. Thank you.”
Hannah thought she should put all her heartache with Alden aside. What was certain was that Hannah should focus on building Texco to greater heights. Whatever obstacles lie ahead, Hannah will eventually face them all.
She won’t run away.