“Cancer?” Hannah’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“It’s something of a public secret, but those close to her know. Mr. Harrison has been by Sarah’s side for months now, along with Kenneth Young,” Susan explained.
“That’s heartbreaking news,” Hannah whispered, her expression filled with concern.
“She deserves it,” Susan muttered bitterly.
Hannah shook her head. “Don’t say that. Cancer is a battle that no one should have to face.”
Susan sighed and decided not to argue any further. She continued, “Jeffrey sent me a message, that’s why I came here. He’s still working at Texco.”
“Yeah, I ran into him earlier. Mom’s in intensive care, but I don’t know how serious her condition is yet.”
“Your stepmother?”
Hannah nodded. “I pray it’s nothing serious.”
“I just hope your stepsister, Aspen, is behaving herself. You’re always the one holding the family together, but she’s always giving you grief. And we both know you didn’t cheat on Jeffrey.”
“Susan, that’s all in the past. There’s no point in bringing it up.”
“Yes, but that’s what ruined your marriage, isn’t it? That’s why Mr. Harrison divorced you. That’s ridiculous.”
Hannah couldn’t understand why Alden would divorce her if he knew she hadn’t cheated. But she wasn’t going to dwell on it.
Whatever Alden had decided, it was clearly what he wanted. Maybe he had always wanted to go back to Sarah. After all, Sarah was the one he was taking care of now that she was sick.
“How about lunch? Are you free?” Susan suggested.
“Yeah, sure,” Hannah agreed. “But let me check on Mom first, okay?”
The two women chatted for a while until a nurse from the administration informed them that Francesca had been moved to a room. Hannah and Susan went to Francesca’s room to check on her.
Before they could enter, they heard a heated argument at the end of the hall. It was Jeffrey and Aspen, once again causing a scene.
“What exactly are you doing at home that makes Mom so tired?” Jeffrey asked Aspen, clearly frustrated.
“I’m taking care of your child!” Aspen snapped back.
“Jacy said you were out all the time, leaving Mom to do everything herself.”
“That’s her choice! I never asked her to do the housework. Why are you blaming me?” Aspen retorted.
“If anything happens to Mom, it’s your fault!” Jeffrey pointed accusingly.
Hearing their argument, Hannah felt a rush of irritation. She stepped forward and immediately got their attention.
“What do you want?” Aspen asked coldly, glaring at her stepsister.
“If you’re going to argue, take it somewhere else!” Hannah said firmly. “You’re lucky Mom isn’t seriously ill.”
Aspen and Jeffrey both remained silent.
“And you, Aspen,” Hannah continued, her voice stern. “Can’t you think more clearly about what’s going on? Mom needs your support right now, not all this drama.”
“What do you know?” Aspen shot back defiantly. “You come in here and act like the savior of the family. You don’t know anything!”
Hannah met Aspen’s gaze calmly. “What I do know is that I still think of Mom as my mother. If you keep acting like this towards me, you’re only harming yourself.”
Without another word, Hannah turned and walked into Francesca’s room with Susan at her side.
Francesca, now awake, immediately began to cry when she saw Hannah. The older woman opened her arms weakly and called out to her stepdaughter, her voice barely audible.
“Mom, I missed you,” Hannah said, her own tears falling.
“I missed you too, Hannah,” Francesca smiled softly, her face filled with relief. “You look so healthy. I was so worried about you. They said you were sick, accused of cheating, and then you disappeared. It broke my heart.”
“I’m fine now, Mom.”
“Even Mr. Harrison… he divorced you,” Francesca wiped away the tears that were gathering in her eyes. “I can’t believe he did that to you.”
Hannah smiled gently. “It’s all in the past, Mom. I’m getting married soon, to a man who is like an angel to me.”
“Really?” Francesca’s eyes brightened. “You deserve the best, Hannah. I always knew your life would be so much more wonderful than Aspen’s.”
“Mom, please don’t say that. Aspen and Jeffrey have their own happiness. They have to take care of each other.”
“All right, Hannah,” Francesca agreed with a nod.
“Now get some rest. I’ll keep checking on you. The doctors will be watching you too,” Hannah reassured her stepmother before leaving the room with Susan.
As they stepped into the hallway, they saw Jeffrey still holding Aspen’s arm, his face filled with frustration.
“Aspen, you need to apologize to Hannah,” Jeffrey demanded.
“Jeffrey, what’s going on?” Hannah asked, confused by the tension.
But Jeffrey ignored her and turned back to Aspen with a stern look. “Aspen is the one who told Mr. Harrison we were having an affair. She showed him false evidence! She owes you an apology because that accusation cost you everything.”
“I’m sorry,” Aspen whispered, barely audible.
“Jeffrey, Aspen,” Hannah said softly. “I don’t want to dwell on that anymore. Let’s just focus on Mom’s recovery. I don’t want any more problems between us.”
Aspen hesitated, then held out her hand. “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Hannah took Aspen’s hand and pulled her into a hug. “I don’t hold grudges, Aspen. I just want you to be happy with Jeffrey.”
Aspen gave a small nod. “Thank you.”
Hannah released her stepsister and glanced at her watch. Lunch was fast approaching and she had to leave with Susan.
“I have to go now, but if you need anything, just call me. Here’s my number,” Hannah said, handing Aspen her business card.
Aspen stared at the card in disbelief, her eyes widening as she read the title: Chief Executive Officer.
As Hannah and Susan walked away, Aspen poked Jeffrey in the ribs.
“Hannah’s the CEO of the hospital,” she whispered in amazement.
“Really?”
“That’s incredible.”
“She’s done a lot for us. Please don’t give her any more trouble, Aspen,” Jeffrey said, letting out a long sigh. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you before. I just don’t want us to keep misunderstanding each other.”
“All right,” Aspen muttered, still a little irritated.
“Come on, let’s go. Mom’s waiting for us,” Jeffrey said, gently leading her back to Francesca’s room.