Throughout the meeting, Hannah’s mind was completely unfocused. She spent most of the time daydreaming, which caused Ashton to look at her curiously several times. As soon as the meeting ended, Ashton walked up to her.
“Is something bothering you, dear?” Ashton asked.
Hannah was silent for a moment, then shook her head weakly.
“Hannah?”
“Sarah Young died today. I saw the news and she died of cancer,” Hannah replied quietly.
Ashton had no idea who this Sarah was. Hannah had never mentioned the name before. Hannah looked at Ashton and gave him a sad smile.
“Sarah is Alden’s ex-girlfriend. But when she came back, Alden chose her over me.” Hannah sighed softly. “I understand why Alden did that, because in the past there was an accident and Sarah was badly injured. Her mental illness could never be completely cured.”
“Okay, this is new information to me. After all these years.”
“Well, I didn’t think you needed to know, Ashton,” Hannah said. “It always hurt me so much and I just wanted to forget about it.”
“Why did Alden choose her?”
“At first, Alden felt responsible for Sarah. But in the end, maybe they still loved each other,” Hannah replied. “At least I think so.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Well, it’s done. There’s nothing left of my past.”
Ashton put his arm around Hannah and kissed her temple. He knew how painful it was for her to reopen those old wounds, even though she always seemed so strong. In Ashton’s eyes, Hannah was the most resilient woman he had ever met.
“Hey, I’m pretty free today. How about we grab some lunch?” Ashton offered.
Hannah was startled. She already had plans with Alden and Ashton didn’t know about it. Should she tell him? Or keep it a secret?
“I can’t. I’m having lunch with Susan today,” Hannah declined, feeling guilty for lying.
“Oh, okay. Say hi to Susan for me, then.”
“Sure, honey.”
Hannah felt terrible about lying to Ashton. But if she told him, he would want to come with her. It wasn’t that Hannah didn’t want Ashton to be there; it was just that if Alden wanted to talk about their past, that conversation wouldn’t happen with Ashton there.
“I have to go now, see you later.” Hannah quickly kissed Ashton on the cheek and hurried away.
Ashton watched Hannah walk away until she was out of his sight. As he was about to return to the children’s ward, he saw Jeffrey and Francesca arrive at the hospital.
Seeing Francesca, Ashton smiled and quickly approached the older woman.
“Hi, how are you, Francesca?” Ashton greeted.
“I’m doing great. I’m here for a medical checkup, had an appointment today.” Francesca chuckled slightly. “Where’s Hannah? I was hoping to see her.”
“Hannah just went to lunch. Didn’t you two run into each other?”
Francesca shook her head. “Maybe we overlooked each other. Why didn’t you go to lunch with her? You must be really busy.”
“Well, Hannah is having lunch with a friend. Susan, yes… that’s her name.”
Jeffrey furrowed his brow and chimed in. “Susan’s at the office. She’s in charge at Texco today because Mr. Gulfman is handling the Goldtime business.”
Ashton turned to Jeffrey. “Maybe Hannah has another friend named Susan?”
“Definitely not. There’s only one Susan, and we work in the same office,” Jeffrey explained.
Suddenly, Ashton had a bad feeling. Hannah had never lied to him before, at least not in all the time he had known her. What was she hiding now?
*
Hannah felt nervous and uncomfortable as she sat across from Alden. Was it a wise decision to meet him alone? The question kept swirling around in her head. She had barely touched her drink and hadn’t even ordered food because she wasn’t hungry.
They had been sitting for over ten minutes and Alden hadn’t mentioned the real reason he wanted to meet. He just asked about her well-being and made small talk that Hannah thought was unnecessary.
“So what do you really want to talk about?” Hannah asked.
“I want to apologize. I took you for granted.”
“Mr. Harrison, our relationship is over.”
“Can you stop calling me that? You always called me ‘Alden.'”
Hannah cleared her throat. “All right, Alden. You’ve already talked to my fiance, and everything’s settled. So why are you talking to me again?”
“Because I didn’t know that Sarah had switched your hospital test results,” Alden confessed. “That’s why I thought you were sick and couldn’t have children.”
Hannah was silent for a moment.
“Okay, that’s all in the past. Now we both know the truth and it’s over. Besides, Sarah’s gone,” Hannah sighed. “Are you seeking justice from someone who is no longer here?”
“But I never knew Henry was really my son. And I’m sorry that I thought he wasn’t.”
“Well, I…”
Hannah couldn’t predict what Alden would do next. She didn’t even know how to react now that the truth about Henry being Alden’s son was out.
“That’s why I won’t sign the custody papers for Henry,” Alden said.
“What?” Hannah’s eyes widened. “You promised! Why would you go back on your word?”
“Just hear me out…”
“No! If you’re just here to ruin my life, please stop!”
“Hannah, I don’t want to hurt you.” Alden began to panic. “Please, listen to me.”
“What else is there? Enough! If you keep insisting on this, you’re just proving that you’ve been trying to torture me all along!”
“I love you!” Alden declared firmly. “I’ve never stopped loving you!”
Hearing Alden’s confession, Hannah froze. Tears streamed down her face. Why did Alden’s words make her sadder? Why did he have to say it?
“Hannah!”
The sudden voice startled Hannah, and as she looked to her side, she saw Ashton running toward her. The blood drained from Hannah’s face-Ashton had caught her with Alden.
Without acknowledging Alden, Ashton held out his hand to Hannah. “Let’s go back to the hospital.”
“I’m not done talking to Hannah,” Alden said firmly.
Hannah stood and took Ashton’s hand.
“When I say it’s over, it’s done,” Ashton replied just as firmly.
“In that case,” Alden stood up, “I won’t sign the custody papers for Henry. He’s my son.”
Ashton sighed and clenched his fists.
“You bastard!” Ashton yelled and threw a punch at Alden.