It was just enough to ensure Hannah slept peacefully all the way to the
orphanage. By the time she woke up, it would be toote to run.
That bitch had stolen everything that was rightfully hers, lording her position over her. Even if they were getting a divorce, Sandra would be damned if she let Hannah have a happy life afterward.
She would destroy her marriage, her career, her sanity. She would make sure Hannah suffered for the rest of her life.
In the car, Hannah stared out the window as the scenery blurred past. Her eyelids grew heavy, and after a few blinks, she couldn''t keep them open any longer.
Lionel noticed and turned off the radio, putting on some soft, instrumental music instead. Within minutes, Hannah was fast asleep.
At a red light, Lionel gently braked. He took off his jacket and draped it over her, his gaze softening as he looked at her peaceful face.
It was such a simple, quiet moment, yet it had be an unattainable luxury for them.
He couldn''t remember thest time they had been together like this, in calm silence.
"Sleep well," he murmured, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
An hourter, Hannah stirred, blinking sleepily at the unfamiliar scenery outside. She was about to ask if they had arrived when the gates up ahead came into sharp focus.
Sunflower Haven.
The name, the wrought-iron gate, the signature sunflower sculptures nking the entrance-it was all sickeningly familiar. A painful throbbing started in her temples, and her breath quickened. She shot upright, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"You''re awake?" Lionel said. "Perfect timing. We''re here. Let''s get..."
"You said you were taking me to meet grandma!" Hannah shrieked, grabbing his arm. "Why did you bring me here? What are you doing, Lionel? Who told you to bring me to this ce?"
Her voice was a raw, guttural cry.
Lionel stared at her, shocked by her reaction. She looked like a cornered animal, her eyes zing with a wild, desperate fury.
Before he could exin, Jason appeared at the passenger-side window, a sickeningly cheerful smile on his face as he pulled the door open.
Hannah whipped her head around and saw his face through the ss. Her pupils constricted, and her hand flew to the door handle to pull it shut, but it was toote. "Mr. Rosenberg, wee! The children have been waiting for you all morning."
Hannah''s jaw twitched. Before she could process what was happening, she was being pulled out of the car. She then noticed Sandra standing just behind Jason, a triumphant glint in her eyes.
Lionel parked the car and walked over.
"A warm wee to Mr. and Mrs.
Rosenberg on their return to
Sunflower Haven," Jason
announce
leading a round of
apuse. The children followed suit, chanting, "Wee, wee!"
The words "Mrs. Rosenberg" made all three of them freeze. Sensing Lionel''s suspicion, Sandra quickly pulled Jason aside.
"Mr. Cooper, is something wrong?" he asked in a low voice.
"For... personal reasons, Lionel''s and my wedding wasn''t made public. He prefers to keep his marriage private, so please don''t refer to me as Mrs. Rosenberg in front of everyone."
Sandra''s voice was a soft whisper. "Hannah is a very talented person now, highly valued by Lionel. Just call her Ms. Green, so you don''t upset him."
The thought of having to call Hannah "Ms. Green" made Jason sneer. "Fine. For your sake, Mrs. Rosenberg, I''ll deign to call her Ms. Green."
"Thank you, Director."
When they returned, they found Lionel gripping Hannah''s arm tightly.
"Lionel, what''s wrong with Hannah?" Sandra asked, feigning concern.
"Let go of me! I want to go home!" Hannah yelled, trying to wrench her arm free.
"Hannah, we''re already here. Don''t
be like this. The children have been waiting for so long. You can''t disappoint them, can you?" Sandra moved to her side, linking. linking her arm
through Hannah''s and smiling
sweetly. "Come on."
No matter how much she struggled, Sandra held on tight, giving her no chance to escape.
Hannah was about to ask if this was all her doing when her eyes fell on arge bulletin board nearby, covered in posters.