Hannah couldn't help but laugh. She and Susan were so close that even when Susan was angry, she wasn't afraid of her. Hannah found it amusing how unique Susan's anger could be.
"No," Hannah explained, "it's just that they're too smart."
"Aren't you admitting that?" Susan asked.
"I didn't say you're stupid."
"You're being ridiculous!" Susan said in a huff.
Hannah was amused by her. She thought to herself that if she ever became depressed one day, all she would need to do was chat with Susan a bit more instead of seeing a therapist and she'd feel better in no time.
"Just now Justine said you are sitting confinement period. During this time remember not to get angry because your emotions will pass through breast milk and affect the baby. If the baby drinks your milk when you are upset then he or she will also become unhappy."
"You're talking nonsense seriously," said Susan disdainfully but it did make her adjust her mood a little bit. After becoming a mom, there wasn't anything small enough that could affect their child both physically and mentally. Children truly are sweet burdens.
"The past is in the past," Hannah didn't want to explain anymore. She wanted to forget them and start over again, to live life anew with her parents by her side while raising her child together. She hoped to return to a society, where everyone knew each other from before. The past had truly been left behind like dust blown away by the wind.
"So are you back together with Oscar now?" Suddenly out came another question from Susan, who still cared about this matter very much despite Manuel repeatedly telling her they wouldn't be together anytime soon.
"No. Didn't Manuel tell you?"
"He did but I don't believe him." Insisted Susan confidently. "I think right now since you're single again there's no way Oscar won't try his luck!"
At this moment Oscar sat on the sofa chatting idly away with Manuel without any intention of interrupting their conversation. But he still heard every word nonetheless.
He pursed his lips lightly while Manuel felt speechless yet again. When talking about others, one should speak behind their backs. Only someone like his wife would do it so openly.
Hannah explained. "I'm just temporarily staying at Oscar's house because Salem is there and for my safety," she added. "Oscar respects me a lot."
Oscar's fingers trembled involuntarily. It had been a long time since Hannah had praised him. Although her words weren't exactly praise, they seemed like recognition to him. His heart raced uncontrollably.
"How does he respect you?" Susan asked curiously. "Hasn't he touched you?"
Hannah blushed. This wasn't the right time or place for this conversation, especially with Edward and Justine present as well. Susan didn't have any filter when speaking her mind.
"Susan, why don't you go talk to Hannah in the room?" Manuel couldn't take it anymore. He was afraid his wife might say something even more explosive than what she already had said before.
"Fine," Susan said as she led Hannah upstairs with her.
Her kindness towards Susan was never forced, as if everything just fell into place naturally. Justine didn't feel the need to show off how well she treated Susan either. After all, a family should love and care for each other.
Hannah smiled slightly, "Susan is lucky to have a mother-in-law like you."
"Oscar's mother is also very kind." Justine's voice carried a hint of a sigh.
Hannah sipped on her tea, the smile on her lips gradually fading away. But she didn't interrupt Justine.
"If she hadn't passed away so early, she would have been a good mother-in-law too," Justine said with tears in her eyes at that moment. She still felt sad about losing loved ones.
"I know you don't want to hear me talk about Oscar's family situation and I learned from Manuel about your relationship with Oscar. I'm not trying to persuade you in any way but as Oscar's only elder relative left, there are some things that I think you should know. Consider it my nagging as an elder and listen if you will."
"Please go ahead, I'm listening."
Justine looked at her calm and gentle smile and couldn't help feeling regretful. Even though Hannah looked different from before, it didn't change how much Justine liked her. In Justine's mind, only someone like Hannah could match up with Oscar.
Justine took a deep breath wanting to let go of some emotions in her heart before saying, "Oscar has probably told you all about the Wells family background so I won't repeat that, but let me tell you something else about his personality, which many people may not know."
Hannah listened quietly. Since she saw everything lightly enough, she could listen peacefully to stories about that man from Justine's mouth.
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