Chapter 1173

Hannah leaned close to Ralph, one hand on the door, the other on his shoulders, gazing at him affectionately. "What are you afraid of?"

"I-I'm not afraid!" he replied, his lips trembling. He was terrified, but couldn't let it show to the woman he loved.

Hannah smiled. "It's okay to be scared. Nothing to be embarrassed about. With me here, you don't have to be afraid."

Ralph noticed her exaggerated tone and unconcerned gaze. She seemed different, unlike the gentle, docile Hannah he knew. Confused, he frowned. "Are you really Annie, or…" he began, then trailed off, the question hanging in the air. 'Or are you Heather pretending to be Annie?' Hannah's face fell.

"What did you say?! Repeat it!"

"No, no, no! It's nothing! I'm just talking nonsense!" Startled, Ralph backtracked, waving his hands as he struggled to explain.

For a moment, Hannah had resembled Heather, frightening him. She sensed his fear and regained her composure. She hadn't meant to scare him, but his words had angered her. 'He knows who I am, can tell us apart, so why the doubt now? Heather and I are nothing alike!' Her voice and gaze softened.

She looked at him gently. "Take a good look at me. Do I look like my sister? Look at my face. Can you tell who I am?"

The tone, coupled with her expression, was unsettling. Ralph suppressed his unease and studied her cautiously. They did resemble each other; sometimes their tones and mannerisms were similar. But a crucial difference was that Heather would have attacked him, not scolded him. Heather was impulsive and direct. This woman, however, was calmly reprimanding him, less furious than he expected. He concluded she was Hannah. Moreover, despite his drunken haze, the images of their intimacy flashed in his mind. Heather would never have been like that with him.

"Yes, you're Annie! I was drunk and confused. Please forgive me. Don't be angry!" He begged softly.

Hannah's anger melted away, replaced by joy. "Whatever! I'll forgive you this time. Just don't repeat it!"

"I promise not to repeat it!" The light in Ralph's eyes dimmed. "I'm sorry for what happened. I shouldn't have treated you like that…"

"Are you regretting it?!" Hannah's face clouded. She had been with no other man; Ralph was her only love. She’d seen heartless men portrayed on TV, but never believed Ralph would be one of them. Now, she questioned herself. 'Is Ralph just like other men?'

"No, no, no! Why would I regret it? I'm delighted!" Ralph answered hastily. "It's just…I have nothing to offer you, and I might go to jail. I don't know what the future holds. I don't think I should be with you. It wouldn't be fair to you."