Chapter 1169

After Heather's departure, Hannah remained alone in the vast room. Slowly, she opened her arms, leaning back against the couch and twirling her fingers. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, absorbing the atmosphere.

Her own room had always been dark and cramped, devoid of sunlight. Heather's room was its complete opposite. As a child, Hannah would secretly peek inside, awestruck by its spaciousness and beauty. Heather's bed alone was as large as Hannah's entire room; her closet overflowed with gorgeous clothes. There was a desk, a dresser, a sofa—everything Hannah's room lacked. Most importantly, large windows bathed the room in warm sunlight. Heather even had a balcony. Hannah had only ever envied this from afar, never daring to imagine possessing such a space.

Heather's question about the "man" lingered. It was, and it wasn't. While Ralph had ignited a desire and longing within her, he was merely a catalyst. The true cause was years of suppressed yearning. Everyone harbors desires; continuously suppressing them leads to an eventual, explosive release, often with detrimental consequences. Now, it felt as though all of Hannah's desires had broken free. She craved a large house, a soft bed, windows that invited fresh air, passionate love, and ultimately, the freedom to be herself. Since Heather stood in her way, Hannah had felt compelled to remove her. It was the only path to achieving her desires.

Hannah plopped onto the bed, feeling instantly enveloped by its softness. A big bed truly was more comfortable—the soft bed she'd always dreamed of. After happily rolling around, a desire to share this joyous moment with someone took hold. She found Heather's phone and dialed Ralph's number, but the call failed; the phone was off. She surmised he was likely avoiding contact with the Russell family. Her longing for Ralph overwhelmed her; she yearned to see him immediately. This was her decision. She was different now, free to do as she pleased, see whomever she chose, for as long as she wished. She no longer needed to answer to anyone.

With that in mind, she quickly selected a beautiful dress from the closet, applied makeup, and donned a pair of exquisite earrings she'd long coveted—Ralph's first gift to her. Heather had forcefully removed them, and Hannah hadn't seen them since. Heather neither wore them nor allowed Hannah to. Hannah hadn't dared to ask their whereabouts, yet here they were. A bittersweet feeling washed over her as she put them on, then smiled at her reflection. She felt more beautiful than ever.

Prepared, she summoned the driver and headed to Ralph's. She couldn't wait to share her good news. "I made it! I truly made it!" But the moment she entered his house, her excitement waned. The air reeked of alcohol; her foot struck an empty can. Countless empty beer cans littered the floor. Ralph had clearly drunk too much. He was curled up on the ground, looking pitiful. Distress washed over her as she rushed to his side.

"Ralphy, what's wrong? Ralphy? Why did you drink so much?"

He vaguely heard his name, opened his eyes, and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face. Confusion clouded his expression as he cupped her face in his hands. The stench of alcohol hit Hannah as he spoke.

"A-Are you…Heather, or…Annie?"