“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!!”
Alden touched his cheek, which felt hot and swollen. Hannah’s slap was really hard. Meanwhile, Hannah just stared at Alden sharply.
“You’re surprised I’ve been watching your every move?” Alden chuckled, sneering.
“I don’t care. You can watch me whenever you want because I’m not doing anything wrong! If you think that way, that’s your problem. Not mine!” Hannah hissed.
Tears streamed down Hannah’s cheeks.
“If you think all women will betray you, maybe someday, yes. Because why? Because you always think all women are the same,” Hannah continued.
Alden remained silent, not responding.
“If I thought like you, I would never have loved you! Because to me, you’re just as bad as Jeffrey!”
Hearing Hannah’s words, Alden’s anger began to subside. He even felt very guilty all of a sudden. Even though their marriage wasn’t based on love initially, it was still valid. Alden had even openly rejected Hannah, blatantly mentioning Sarah, who was in his heart.
It was just as bad as cheating.
“Then what reason would you tell me?” Alden asked.
“I went to the hospital to see a doctor that Mr. Gulfman knows. Just because I wanted to get a second opinion, but I was too scared to take you there.”
“Hannah, I…”
“But maybe I shouldn’t have gone. It’s up to you. Whether you believe it or not, I don’t care.”
Hannah moved away from Alden, leaving the office while sobbing. Alden didn’t chase her; he just stood there, not knowing what to do.
Susan entered the room, looking very confused.
“Sir,” Susan called out.
“Get Mr. Gulfman here immediately. And go be with Hannah, Susan.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alden ruffled his hair in frustration. Feeling like a fool, he had said things that hurt Hannah out of jealousy. He should have listened to Hannah’s reasons first, whatever they were. Because of his impulsive actions and wandering thoughts, everything became a mess.
A few minutes later, Bernard entered the room. He looked annoyed when he saw Alden just standing there like a fool.
“If you want to fire me, don’t want to work with me anymore, I don’t mind,” Bernard said bluntly. “I thought you two were okay, but why does this drama have to happen at the office?”
“You made me like this.”
“You could have called us both home, and I would have gladly explained everything.”
“Why did you lie behind my back?”
Bernard sighed, rubbing his face. He was tired, very tired. Especially dealing with Alden, who was more annoying than a child. How stubborn Maxim junior could be.
“Your wife struggled to get you to see another doctor. And you gave up in the first place. If I were her, I would have done the same,” Bernard replied.
“But the doctor said there’s no chance for me to walk again.”
“Listen, there are many ways to get to Rome. You haven’t even looked at the map but have already given up.”
Alden felt pierced by Bernard’s words.
“I consider you like a nephew, and I have no intention of approaching your wife. Besides, Mrs. Harrison loves you very much. We’re just two fools trying to help you,” Bernard said harshly. “And apparently, you can’t even love yourself enough to fight a little.”
“Mr. Gulfman…”
“Bernard. I don’t like you being formal after what happened,” Bernard interrupted.
Alden exhaled. “I’m sorry.”
“One thing you need to know, my friend guarantees you can walk. Just a small surgery, a few months of therapy, and you’ll be fully recovered.”
Alden’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“But…” Alden was at a loss for words.
“I told you, don’t listen to one opinion. While there are thousands of opinions elsewhere. You just need to find that opportunity and chase it.”
“Oh, I messed up everything.”
Bernard approached Alden, half-squatting beside him.
“Hannah went home, and I don’t know if she’ll cry all day in her room. But you should go after her, Alden,” Bernard said.
“Sorry, I thought the worst about you two.”
“It’s okay. But I won’t forgive you if you don’t try to see Irving.”
Alden extended his hand. “Thank you, Bernard.”
“Go home.”
“Okay.”
Alden left the office and headed home, accompanied by Bernard to the office lobby. On the way home, Alden thought hard about how he would apologize to Hannah. Buying her flowers, clothes, or what? But Hannah wasn’t the kind of person easily persuaded by that.
Alden looked to the side of the road and saw a row of shops, until he saw an ice cream shop.
“Stop now. And buy some ice cream,” Alden ordered hastily.
After buying the ice cream, Alden held the package on his lap. He didn’t expect Hannah to forgive him immediately, but he had to try.
When he got home, Alden went to Hannah’s room. It was quiet, even though the door was open. When Alden peeked in, he saw Hannah packing clothes into a suitcase.
“Where are you going?” Alden asked, panicking.
“Going back to my home.” Hannah replied curtly.
“You can’t go home!”
Hannah glanced at Alden. She was tired of arguing. What other weapon would Alden use? Their agreement was already null and void because now their relationship was based on love. But still, Alden didn’t trust her.
“You can’t stop me,” Hannah said angrily.
“I know I can’t, and I won’t stop you,” Alden paused, “but… I bought ice cream for you. Want to have some before you go?”