Chapter 501: I Am Yours

After the doctor left, Hannah and Oscar breathed a sigh of relief. Sitting on the couch, they exchanged a look, smiles blooming on their faces. Perhaps it was a smile born of a false alarm; regardless, the sweetness and happiness between them were evident.

"I wasn't too nice to Karen," Oscar said.

Hannah paused, surprised by the subject change. She expected him to boast about his health first.

"Weren't you jealous because I was too nice to her?" Oscar repeated.

"But she's your sister. It's natural to be nice to her," Hannah replied.

"But it's because of you."

Confused, Hannah frowned. What did she have to do with it?

"Aren't you happy about what she did today?" Oscar smiled.

Stunned, she realized his preferential treatment of Karen in front of Mary was a deliberate ploy. He'd misled Mary into believing she could team up with Karen, ultimately benefiting Hannah. It was all part of his plan. She found his scheming horrifying. He might even try to distance himself if she showed any sign of abandoning him.

"Don't worry!" Oscar said, sensing her concern.

Though amused, Hannah became serious. "So you knew Mary had a crush on you?"

"I'm sensitive to such things," Oscar replied casually.

"Sensitive?"

"When it comes to affection, every woman around me finds herself attracted to me, except..." He looked at Hannah. His gaze made her uneasy; she felt he was implying something.

"Whatever. I've been a temptation for women." His complacency was clear.

"But honey, don't worry. From head to toe, from my skin to my heart, I am yours." He took her hands, holding them tightly.

Slightly blushing, Hannah was speechless at his cheesy words. Every time he spoke sweetly, her heart raced. Maintaining her composure, she said, "I need some sleep."

"Okay. But I have to handle some matters."

"Where are you going? City Hall?" Hannah asked.

"No, I need to talk to Theodore. He can't leave home right now, so I'll go to him."

"Okay." She knew Oscar and Theodore were incredibly close, sharing secrets.

"When I'm finished..." Oscar said seriously.

"What?" Hannah's beautiful eyes, which he found captivating, fixed on him.

His voice deepened. "Let's go on an overseas trip."

Hannah laughed. He had taken the doctor's advice seriously. She didn't refuse; their marriage had been a mutually beneficial arrangement, lacking a honeymoon, so this was a welcome promise.

She nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you."

"Great," Oscar said.

Hannah started upstairs as Oscar left. Passing Karen's room, she hesitated, then knocked. Karen opened the door, her smile freezing at the sight of Hannah.

"Oh, it's you," Karen said, her hostility evident.

"Do you think Oscar would knock on your door?" Hannah challenged.

"What are you showing off?" Karen retorted.

"I just want to tell you it's sick to show affection for your brother."

"Do you know I've been taking drugs since I was a kid?"

Hannah was speechless.

"And I know I'm sick. That's why I take drugs," Karen grinned complacently.

"No wonder the drugs don't work. You're beyond cure," Hannah retorted, regaining her composure.

Karen glared. Hannah let it go; her point was made—they would stay out of each other's way.

...

Oscar and Hannah spent their weekend joyfully together. Hannah, who hadn't previously looked forward to weekends, now anticipated Oscar's arrival. He was leaving for River Town next Wednesday. Even though it was only half a month, she was reluctant to see him go.

Monday morning, they both left for work. Sitting alone in her office, Hannah appeared lost in thought. Rose chuckled; absence truly did make the heart grow fonder.

"Any schedule for today?" Hannah asked.

Rose outlined her day: a sales data report at 10 AM, followed by a corporate decision-making session at 3 PM, and finally, an executive meeting at 5:30 PM. "Milk, right?" Rose asked.

"Yes, thank you."

After Rose left, Hannah stretched, then opened her laptop. Her phone rang—it was Manuel.

"I heard something about Oscar's physical report. It didn't sound good."

Hannah was speechless at his gossipy nature.

Manuel explained his late call, fearing to offend Oscar. Was Oscar that intimidating? Hannah felt he was friendly towards both Manuel and Theodore.

"He's fine. Just a false alarm," Hannah explained.

"Yeah, I figured. Theodore must be exaggerating about...sterility..."

As expected, it was Theodore's gossip.

"I was just asking. I have to hang up."

"Okay."

Manuel was relieved, having previously considered telling his mother. Theodore's words were unreliable. He returned to work. A knock came at his door.

"Come in," Manuel said, expecting his assistant. He looked up to see Susan. Impatience flickered in his eyes, unnoticed by Susan.