Chapter 610: Cian's Jealousy

Hannah was speechless. She hadn't known Oscar liked her; he was so adept at concealing his feelings.

"Theodore, Manuel, and I don't understand why Oscar didn't win you back from Charles," Cian said angrily. "That man was nothing compared to my brother. It should have been easy for Oscar."

Hannah reflected that if Oscar had pursued her years earlier, she wasn't sure she would have accepted him, but at least he wouldn't have been involved with so many other women. The thought upset her.

"He shouldn't have suffered through your relationship with Charles all these years," Cian complained. "It was a waste of time."

Initially, Hannah hesitated to criticize Oscar to his brother, but she couldn't help herself.

"A waste of time? He didn't lose anything! He had plenty of other women during those years."

Cian's strange expression made Hannah uneasy. She wondered if she'd misspoken.

"So he didn't tell you he never touched another woman except you?"

Hannah's heart leaped. She stared at him, disbelieving.

"You heard me right," Cian repeated, shaking his head. "You're his only one. He's good at enduring pain."

"They always say Oscar's a playboy, dating countless women. It's all false. He acted that way to avoid suspicion, to make it easier to operate," Cian explained. "It worked; he easily infiltrated City Hall and reached his current position. Many, including Charles, still hold prejudices against him. They'll never know how formidable his opponent truly is." He looked contemptuous.

Hannah pursed her lips. Charles was pathetic, she thought.

"Those 'women' were his cover story. Theodore's the one who dates many women."

Hannah had assumed Oscar's experience with numerous women translated to exceptional skill in bed. She was wrong; she was his only one. Her mood lifted.

"Women are realistic," Cian said teasingly.

Hannah didn't refute him.

Cian continued, "Actually, I didn't think Oscar was serious at first. I thought you were just his white whale. Theodore showed me a photo of you—he stole it from my brother. You look like a hothouse flower. For someone like Oscar, who lives in a cruel world, there's always a captivating beauty in his heart, and you embody that. One event made me realize how much he loves you."

"What?" Hannah asked, nervous.

"My brother was drugged once, but he didn't want anyone to know, so he concealed it. Theodore sent a woman to his room—Janet; you knew her, right?"

Hannah nodded. The woman had been dead so long, she'd almost forgotten her.

"She undressed, but Oscar kicked her out. Do you know how he got through that terrible night?" Cian asked.

"How?" Her heart pounded.

"By looking at your picture."

Sympathy washed over her.

"We don't know what happened that night. He locked himself in his room; nobody dared enter. Theodore broke in once and was kicked out with a black eye. He just shook his head and said, 'Let him be.' Oscar's very stubborn. No one can change his mind. I believe he'll love you for life. Some people do."

Hannah didn't know what to say. Oscar's love seemed deeper than she'd imagined.

"No one knows his condition after that night. The drug was potent; some people died from it. He survived, but everyone feared lasting effects. Nobody dared to check after Theodore's injury. Then, unexpectedly, you two married. Anyway, is he alright?"

Hannah blushed, finding it too embarrassing to tell Cian about Oscar's prowess.

Cian smiled. "I can tell from your face he's fine. He's too strong to be easily defeated."

"Knowing Oscar felt so strongly for you, I was quite jealous. I thought he only loved me. It made me sad."

Hannah eyed him warily, sensing hostility.

Cian laughed. "Relax. I was young and foolish. Now, I'm not jealous, I'm grateful. Thank you for being there for Oscar, for giving him warmth and relieving my guilt."

Confusion flickered in her eyes. She didn't understand his guilt.

"My brother and I had different upbringings," Cian murmured, his thoughts distant. "He was sent to Kensbury City after birth and returned after three years. At that age, he didn't know his parents. He was sent to places filled with violence and cruelty. He was often taken there. Even when asleep, he'd be abandoned in the wilderness and left to find his way out."

Hannah felt a fresh wave of sadness for Oscar. Regardless of how many times she heard it, the story remained heartbreaking.