The furniture, even the furniture placement, had changed, with new wallpaper; the state of Hannah’s home was entirely different now. Hannah entered the house and heard voices upstairs. She quickly went up to the second floor.
In the room that used to be Aspen’s, a few men were arranging a desk, with Alden there.
“Alden? Have you lost your mind?” Hannah shrieked in half-shock.
The men ignored Hannah’s presence and continued working. Alden quickly darted out and pulled Hannah into her room.
“Can you explain what’s going on? Why has all the furniture changed within hours? Where’s the sofa downstairs? The table and everything!” Hannah clutched her head in frustration. “What has gotten into you? Oh, God!”
“Calm down, honey.” Alden chuckled while holding Hannah’s shoulders.
Hannah tried to hold back her tears and just nodded. “Okay, explain to me.”
There were items that reminded Hannah of her late parents, and Alden had no right to remove them. To Hannah, those memories were precious, despite the painful recollections during Aspen and Francesca’s stay there.
So, seeing the house’s interior change so drastically in less than a day shocked Hannah. She feared losing meaningful items and memories. Although, in reality, those memories were always in her heart.
However, humans aren’t creatures who can remember their entire lives. Keeping objects is a way to stimulate past memories.
“Because I’ll be living with you, I wanted to create a comfortable environment for both of us,” Alden said.
“An environment for both of us? This is clearly comfortable for you! The house feels alien to me, Alden.” Hannah couldn’t hold back her tears. “Where did you put my parents’ belongings?”
“At my house.”
Hannah looked at Alden, confused. “But why?”
“Because you wouldn’t come home. I thought because it still felt unfamiliar to you there. So, I moved everything. Including Aspen’s belongings.”
“You can throw away what’s left of Aspen’s things.”
Alden smiled. “Please, I want you to be happy. I don’t want to be apart from you, honey.”
“But new furniture? Wallpaper? What are you doing?”
“I want to be with you.”
“Listen, I’m mad at you. I don’t want to be close. I need some time alone,” Hannah insisted.
Because of Sarah, and Hannah couldn’t demand anything. Sarah needed Alden, and Alden was burdened with guilt. It was better for Hannah to step back, and the problem would be solved.
“We’ve discussed this, haven’t we? I need time to make Sarah let go of me gradually and amicably. Please understand,” Alden pleaded.
Hannah bit her lower lip. “If that’s what you want to do, then do it. But don’t bother me. And I really mean it.”
Hannah pushed Alden’s hands away and stepped back. Seeing Hannah fold her arms, Alden knew she was feeling insecure. He couldn’t force Hannah to understand the situation instantly.
“Alright, I won’t bother you. I’ll sleep in the next room,” Alden decided.
“That’s the study… that you just redesigned.”
“I’ll sleep on the sofa. I’ve already put a sofa in the next room.”
“Whatever.”
“Shall we go out for dinner? And shop for some necessities, how about that?”
Hannah sighed lazily and shook her head in disbelief. She wondered why men always took issues lightly. How could Alden try to coax her like a child?
“Why don’t you go back to your mansion? You’re used to making decisions on your own. You don’t need me,” Hannah said angrily.
“It’s all because of you.”
“Me?”
“Because of you, I don’t want to be lonely. Because of you, I can’t be independent. I’m afraid of losing you, honey.”
And Alden appeared possessive in Hannah’s eyes.
“Shall we go? I’m hungry. Aren’t you hungry?”
Hannah walked to the doorway, then stopped and looked back at Alden. “I want a large pizza and soda!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Alden replied with a cheerful laugh.
*
Hannah breathed a sigh of relief after arranging the vegetables, meat, and fruit in the fridge. Even seeing the new fridge in the kitchen felt strange. Alden had bought everything he liked, almost filling the fridge, which was large.
“So, starting tomorrow, I can enjoy your cooking every day,” Alden teased, sounding like he was joking with Hannah.
“I don’t want to. You cook for yourself. I don’t want to be bothered.”
“I’m your husband, Hannah.”
Hearing that magic word, Hannah took a deep breath. “Alright, I’ll cook.”
“I’ll eat whatever you make. As long as it’s edible and not poisonous.”
Hannah couldn’t help but laugh. Alden had become talkative and lively. Was he always like this before? He seemed more alive, though a bit annoying.
Then Hannah moved from her spot and sat across from Alden. Looking at Alden, who was charismatic, especially with his calm gaze, made Hannah melt. However, she had to resist the temptation.
Hannah would let Alden handle his affairs, which she didn’t want to know about at all.
Alden stared at Hannah intently. “I love you,” he said suddenly.
“Don’t talk to me, I’m angry.”
“I love you so much.”
“Can you please be quiet?”
Just as Alden was about to speak again, his phone rang. Alden looked at the screen for a moment, as if deciding whether to answer or not. But then he answered the call and stepped away.
Hannah could faintly hear Alden greet, “Hello, Kenneth.”
Hannah’s heart sank again, even though she had felt better moments ago. During dinner, even though she still acted aloof and seemed angry, Alden kept feeding her. Likewise, when they went shopping.
It was their first time grocery shopping, and Hannah felt they were genuinely living a normal married life. Well, living in the Harrison family mansion was actually still normal, but too much.
Alden returned to Hannah, looking conflicted, but she tried to act normal.
“I have to go to the hospital,” Alden said.
“Go ahead.”
“I won’t be long, Hannah.”
Hannah stood up. “I already said whatever. If you go, take the keys. I want to rest and won’t open the door for you if you come home late.”
“I’m sorry, Hannah… but I have to go to the hospital.”
“No need to apologize. Doesn’t Sarah need you now?”