Hannah returned home feeling tired, even ignoring Edward’s greeting. The butler immediately noticed Hannah’s unusual behavior, but he didn’t dare say a word.
Once in her room, Hannah lay down and began to sob. She let all her emotions out, and after she calmed down, she took a shower. She skipped dinner and instead sat on her bed, staring blankly while holding her phone.
She didn’t want to search for articles about deadly diseases. Her mind was already too overwhelmed with worry.
A message appeared on Hannah’s phone. When she read it, it was from Susan, but Hannah didn’t feel like answering. She sighed quietly and resumed her brooding.
Soon after, Susan called Hannah. Reluctantly, she answered.
“Hello?” Hannah greeted, her voice tired.
“Hannah? Are you okay? You sound strange. Are you sick?”
Hannah sighed. “I’m just exhausted, Susan.”
“How did it go at the hospital earlier? Any good news?”
“I’m not pregnant, Susan.”
There was a moment of silence between them.
“Well…” Susan cleared her throat. “There’s still time for you to get pregnant. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Hannah, if you stress about it too much, it will be even harder for you to get pregnant.”
Hannah wanted to cry again and tell Susan everything. But Susan would tell Bernard, and Bernard would tell Alden.
Hannah just wanted to keep the bad news to herself for now.
“I’ll try not to think about it, Susan,” Hannah said.
“Great. You can find a distraction. After all, there are a lot of women who aren’t even prepared when they finally have a child. You can use this time to prepare mentally.”
Hannah chuckled softly. “You’re right about that.”
Their conversation turned to lighter topics, and Hannah began to feel a little better. After ending her conversation with Susan, Hannah unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.
…
Late that night, Hannah awoke to feel a chill as Alden hugged her from behind. Breathing in the scent of Hannah’s skin, Alden kissed her neck softly. Hannah shifted slightly, feeling the tickle on her neck.
“Alden…” Hannah’s voice was hoarse.
“Go back to sleep, darling. Sorry, did I wake you?”
Hannah shook her head, her eyes still closed. Then she turned and hugged Alden’s neck, trying to hold back tears.
“I miss you,” Hannah whispered.
“Sweetheart, I miss you too,” Alden kissed Hannah’s forehead several times.
“Don’t leave me.”
Alden looked confused. He lifted his wife’s chin and stared at her. “What is it, Hannah?”
Hannah avoided his gaze and snuggled against Alden’s chest. “Nothing.”
A long sigh escaped Alden’s lips. He knew Hannah’s character well; if something was bothering her, she wouldn’t admit it.
“We promised each other we would always be honest if there was a problem, because that’s our commitment,” Alden said. “Your happiness is my happiness. Your problems are my problems.”
“I know.” Hannah nodded weakly.
“Then what’s wrong? Can’t you tell me? Do you still not trust me?”
“It’s not that…” Hannah hesitated for a moment. “I just can’t. Maybe later, when I’m ready.”
“Okay.”
Alden didn’t want to push her, so he simply agreed to her request, even though his heart was already uneasy. Alden then hugged Hannah tighter, just to give her a sense of comfort.
*
The next morning, Alden noticed Hannah’s dark mood again. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but he tried to wait until she was ready to tell him.
“I’m going to the office,” Hannah said.
Alden quickly grabbed her hand and held on tightly. “Don’t go anywhere. I want to spend today with you, just the two of us, okay?”
“Alden, you have work to do. So do I.”
“Work doesn’t mean anything when I see you like this. I want to make you happy, Hannah.”
Hannah fell silent. She lowered her head, not knowing what to say.
“Where do you want to go? Just tell me and we’ll go right now,” Alden offered.
Hannah shook her head weakly. “I don’t want to go anywhere.”
“Shall we stay in our room all day, just the two of us?”
Hannah nodded again.
Then they got up and went back to their room. Once there, they lay down, Alden embracing Hannah and letting the quiet moments pass between them. The only sounds were their soft breathing and Alden’s eyes looking out the window.
“If I don’t have much time left on this earth, I want you to find your own happiness, Alden,” Hannah said suddenly.
“Why would you say that? We’re fine, Hannah.”
Hannah shook her head. This time she couldn’t hold it in, even though she had promised herself to keep everything from Alden.
“Hannah?”
Instead of answering, Hannah began to sob. Her heart hurt so much as she faced the harsh reality.
“I can’t get pregnant. The doctor already told me,” Hannah cried quietly.
Alden immediately sat up and pulled Hannah into a tight embrace. Her sobs grew louder as she felt guilty for her husband.
“It’s okay, everything’s going to be all right,” Alden whispered, trying to comfort her.
Hannah looked at Alden, but couldn’t bring herself to tell him about her illness.
“Maybe you should marry Sarah. She can give you children,” Hannah suggested.
“What do you mean? Who will want to marry her?”
“If you stay with me, there will be no one to carry on your legacy!”
Alden’s expression hardened, clearly disturbed by her words.
“Stop!” Alden said firmly. “Do you think marriage is just about having children?”
“Alden, marriage should include children because that is the natural order. When we’re gone, there should be offspring to carry on the legacy.”
“Where did you get this outdated idea?”
“But you said yourself… that you wanted an Alden Junior.”
Alden’s eyes began to fill with tears as he cupped Hannah’s face, brought his forehead to rest against hers, and closed his eyes.
“I want a child from you that will be our child,” Alden whispered.
Hannah remained silent, her body shaking.
“If you can’t have a child, then my life will be just you and me. And that’s fine with me, my Hannah.”
“What if I don’t have much time left? What if my life is short?”