Aspen was choosing a drink from the vending machine when someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind. It startled her, of course, and she turned around. She was even more shocked to see Alden standing there.
“Mr. Harrison,” Aspen said in disbelief.
“What are you doing here, Aspen?”
Aspen immediately became nervous. “My mother, she’s being treated here.”
“Do you know that Hannah is the director of this hospital? Have you seen her?”
Aspen’s mind went blank. She didn’t know how to answer, but Jeffrey had told her not to mention anything about Hannah to anyone-especially Alden.
“No, sir,” Aspen shook her head.
“You haven’t tried to get to know Hannah?”
“I’m not sure Hannah would want to talk to us anymore,” Aspen cleared her throat. “We’ve lost contact over the last few years, so I don’t expect Hannah to consider us family.”
“Oh, I see.”
Alden’s face suddenly grew somber. He didn’t know how to find a way to meet Hannah. Even the hospital staff had restricted Alden’s access to find her.
Aspen quickly grabbed a card from her wallet, not noticing that Hannah’s business card had fallen to the floor. She swiped her card at the vending machine and quickly grabbed her drink.
“I have to get back to the room. Goodbye, Mr. Harrison,” Aspen said hurriedly.
“I’ll see your mother later, Aspen.”
“Sure.”
Aspen quickly walked away from Alden, almost breaking into a run to avoid her sister’s ex-husband.
Alden’s eyes caught something on the floor and he picked up the fallen business card. As he started to follow Aspen, he froze when he saw the name on the card.
“Hannah?” Alden muttered in disbelief.
He pocketed the card and left the vending area. With a heavy heart, Alden made his way to the VIP waiting room where Sarah was sitting with Kenneth.
As Alden approached, Sarah gave him a confused look.
“So, did you get a drink?” Sarah asked.
Alden had completely forgotten his reason for going to the cafeteria. He shook his head quickly. “Later. I just want you to see the doctor soon. I’m a little worried.”
“Take your time. The nurse said I’d be going in in about 30 minutes,” Sarah replied quietly. “Besides, Kenneth is here with me.”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait with you.”
Alden’s mind was filled with thoughts of Hannah, even though Sarah was sitting right in front of him.
Was the accidentally dropped business card a sign of fate? Alden wondered. But he couldn’t understand why Aspen was pretending not to have seen Hannah.
But the question faded from Alden’s mind. All he could think about now was getting in touch with Hannah, and now he had her phone number.
*
Hannah immediately fell in love with the house. It had a spacious yard, and its location was ideal. Seeing Hannah’s reaction, Ashton knew this would be the place where they’d spend their lives together when they grew old.
Ashton hugged Hannah from behind and whispered in her ear, “Do you like this house, honey?”
Hannah nodded. “It’s okay, isn’t it? I don’t really like big houses. This is just perfect for me, Ashton.”
“Whatever you like, I’m with you.”
They approached the real estate agent and talked for a while. Hannah and Ashton agreed to buy the house, and in a few weeks the paperwork would be finalized.
It was already evening, and Ashton looked at his watch and let out a tired sigh.
“I have to go back to the hospital,” Ashton said. “I’ll be home around ten or eleven. Is it okay for you to drive home alone?”
“No problem. Shall we go back to the hospital?”
“Okay. Thanks for understanding.”
One of the risks Hannah faced was that Ashton spent a lot of time at the hospital. Since Hannah worked at the same place, she could see Ashton whenever she wanted.
But Ashton worked long hours, sometimes from morning until late at night. Sometimes even from one morning to the next.
Hannah had to prepare herself for the reality of marrying a doctor with such a demanding schedule. Even though they weren’t married yet, she didn’t feel completely tied down. But what about later? Would she eventually complain about Ashton’s intense work schedule?
“Honey?” Ashton called out as they drove to the hospital.
Hannah turned to her fiance. “Yes? What is it?”
“I just feel like there’s something on your mind.”
“Nothing,” Hannah shook her head.
“Are you still thinking about our wedding? I already told you, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“That’s not it…”
Ashton caressed her cheek. “Everything’s going to be fine, love.”
The car drove through the evening, making its way to the Miracle Hospital. They arrived in less than half an hour. Ashton pulled up to the entrance of the lobby and turned off the engine.
“Are you sure you can drive yourself home? Or should I call a driver to pick you up?” Ashton asked.
“I’ll drive myself,” Hannah decided, “but you can have a driver pick you up later.”
“Okay, I’ll see you at the apartment.”
Ashton quickly kissed Hannah on the lips and they both got out of the car. After saying goodbye, Hannah climbed back into the driver’s seat and waved to Ashton before driving away from the hospital.
Her phone rang and she glanced at the screen, expecting it to be the realtor they’d just met. Without much thought, Hannah answered the call.
“Hi, Mrs. Clark, I’m on my way home. Can we talk later?” Hannah said hurriedly.
“Hannah?”
Hannah almost lost control of the car and dropped the phone in shock. Her heart raced when she heard the voice on the other end.
The voice was unmistakably Alden’s.
How did Alden get her number? From whom?
Hannah quickly stopped and grabbed the phone with shaking hands. The call had already ended, but there was a message from Alden:
“Hannah, can we talk? There’s so much I want to tell you. Please, just this once.”
For a few moments, Hannah sat frozen. Then she took a deep breath and hit the block button.
She had no intention of answering Alden’s message or communicating with him in any way.
Ignoring his message and cutting off all contact was the best decision she could make.