Hannah’s attitude toward Alden had been cold throughout the past week. This time, the tables had turned, with Alden trying to get closer while Hannah kept distancing herself. Sarah’s condition was improving, but every night, Alden had to visit and stay with her until she fell asleep.
Hannah tried to hold back her feelings, even though it hurt seeing Alden go to the hospital whenever Sarah needed him. She was aware of her position, knowing she was not much to Alden, despite being his wife. If she demanded too much, Alden wouldn’t hesitate to cast her aside.
Hannah wasn’t afraid of being left by Alden and not being able to survive. But could she endure the heartbreak if Alden treated her the way Jeffrey did? She had given her all to Alden, including her heart.
Hannah’s cold demeanor towards Alden was her way of hiding her slowly breaking heart. She had just tasted happiness with Alden, so why did she have to feel bitter again?
“Hannah?” Susan’s voice broke her reverie.
Hannah quickly looked at Susan. “Yes, Susan? What is it?”
“Are you okay?”
Hannah smiled weakly. “Yeah, I’m perfectly fine.”
“You’re not paying attention, Hannah.” Susan sighed softly, then looked at her closely. “What’s really going on? You’ve been acting very different lately. Like something’s bothering you.”
“It’s just,” Hannah exhaled tiredly, “I feel powerless, Susan. I know I shouldn’t be thinking about this, but I can’t help it.”
“Is this still about Sarah? Come on, Hannah… she can’t bother you, you’re married to Mr. Harrison.” Susan shook her head. “She wouldn’t dare try to take him from you.”
“What if I told you she’s capable of it? What should I do?”
Susan fell silent and looked at Hannah, puzzled.
“You mean Mr. Harrison still wants her?” Susan asked cautiously.
“Not exactly, but Alden can’t avoid Sarah because of issues from the past.”
Hannah couldn’t be completely honest, as she had promised not to disclose Sarah’s condition to anyone. Even though Sarah had disturbed her peace, Hannah couldn’t bring herself to reveal the illness afflicting Alden’s ex.
“Have you two talked about this, Hannah? You should at least compromise with each other. Don’t you love each other?” Susan looked at Hannah with concern.
“I don’t even want to talk to Alden anymore because my heart feels so heavy…” Hannah tried to hold back her tears. “We’re in a cold war, even though he’s trying to get closer and talk to me.”
“Why are you acting like this? How can you keep your husband if you act the opposite?”
“I can’t bear it, Susan.”
“Listen, I’ve never been married or had a serious relationship before. But, Hannah,” Susan paused, “if this keeps up, don’t be surprised if your husband goes back to Sarah.”
Susan’s words felt like a jolt to Hannah’s heart.
Love is always about give and take, but what if you keep giving and get ignored in return? That would be even more painful. Alden would end up feeling exhausted by Hannah’s behavior. Meanwhile, there’s Sarah, always ready to welcome Alden with open arms.
In Alden’s eyes, love might change, and there’s a real possibility he will go back to Sarah if Hannah continues to be cold and ignore her husband.
“So what should I do?” Hannah began to sob quietly.
“Forget about Sarah and focus on Alden. If you want your marriage to stay intact, you have to be willing to compromise.”
*
Those words, willing to compromise, echoed in Hannah’s mind as she drove home. She saw Alden’s car parked on the street and pulled into the carport. Her heart pounded harder; maybe it was time to have a heart-to-heart with Alden.
Hannah slowly opened the door and quietly walked inside. She saw Alden in the kitchen, preparing dinner that was clearly takeout. She smiled faintly.
Even though Alden couldn’t cook, at least he tried to do something for Hannah.
Suddenly, Hannah felt selfish and very guilty.
“Alden!”
The voice wasn’t from Hannah but from a woman who had just come out of the bathroom. Hannah stood frozen, unable to believe what she saw.
“Oh, hi Hannah! You’re home?” Sarah greeted casually and warmly.
Why was she here? She was never invited!
“Let’s have dinner together. I bought Chinese food,” Sarah invited as if she were the hostess.
Hannah looked at Alden, searching for answers for Sarah’s presence. But her heart was already too hurt; she turned and rushed out of the house.
Disgusting!
Footsteps followed her, and suddenly Alden grabbed her as she kept running.
“Hannah, please,” Alden pleaded.
“Why is she in my house, Alden?” Hannah’s voice trembled. “In my house!!”
“She wanted to see you, Hannah. I couldn’t stop Sarah from insisting on coming.”
“Do you think I’ll be fooled by her pretending to be nice? If she wants you, you should just go with her! Leave me and don’t bother me again!”
“She’s sick, Hannah,” Alden whispered.
“I’ll go insane if I stay in this game with you two!”
Hannah pushed Alden’s hand away, wiping the unstoppable tears from her eyes.
“Enjoy your dinner. I won’t join you,” Hannah said.
“Hannah, just listen to me.”
But Hannah ignored Alden, even as he tried to hold her hand. She got into her car, locked it from the inside, and let Alden pound on the window. Then she drove away from her house. Alden stood by the roadside, looking helpless.
Hannah picked up her phone and called Susan. She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore when Susan answered.
“Hello, Hannah.”
“Where are you? I need to talk with you,” Hannah sobbed.
“Hannah? What’s wrong? Just calm down…” Susan sounded panicked. “I just got to my apartment.”
“Can I come over? I don’t know where else to go.”
“Yeah, sure. But can you stop crying first? You’re driving, right?”
“I can’t, Susan. I can’t control my emotions; this is so painful.”
“What’s going on? Did you have a fight with your husband?”
“Worse! He brought Sarah to my house, Susan.”
“He what?!”