Sandra, ever the actress, rushed to Hannah''s side, her face a mask of concern.


    "Lionel, it''s all my fault. This is all my fault," she said, stepping between them and looking down with a pained expression. "I just thought, since you grew up in an orphanage, you would love this ce and feel a connection to it. I wanted to surprise you, especially since you''ve been so downtely."


    She took a deep breath and closed her eyes dramatically. "Hannah, if you''re angry, me me. Hit me, yell at me, do whatever you want. But don''t me Lionel. This was all my idea."


    “Sandra, Lionel might be a fool you can wrap around your little finger, but I''m not. I know exactly what game you''re ying!" Hannah retorted, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she red at her.


    "Mr. Rosenberg, Ms. Woods, pleasee in! The children are waiting," Jason called from the doorway, unable to hear their hushed, tense conversation.


    "Sandra, you go on ahead," Lionel said coolly.


    Sandra looked like she wanted to say more, but seeing the dark expression on his face, she simply nodded and walked inside.


    Hannah''s face was a storm cloud as she watched him. He was angry. His brow was furrowed in fury. But what right did he have to be angry? She was the one who should be furious.


    "Whatever you want to say or do, we''re already here. So, for today, you will put on a brave face and be here for the children."


    Hannah stared at him in disbelief. Before she could utter a word, he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.


    Jason brought them three sses of juice.


    "The pear trees on the back hill are ripe. The children and I picked some the other day and made fresh juice. Please, Mr. Rosenberg, Ms. Woods, have a taste," he said, his tone obsequious.


    Hannah looked at the cloudy, murky liquid in the ss, and her fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and looked away.


    Seeing that she wasn''t drinking, Jason''s tone turnedzy and mocking. "This is all we have to offer at our humble orphanage. We can''t afford any fancy teas. If Ms. Green finds it beneath her, I can have someone go out and buy her something else."


    “Hannah!” Lionel''s voice was a low, sharp reprimand. "Don''t insult the children''s kindness."


    "Wow!" Sandra eximed after taking arge gulp. "Mr. Cooper, this pear juice is delicious! It''s so sweet. Before I leave, could I have a few pears to take home? I''d love to make some myself."


    "Of course, Ms. Woods! I''ve already had a bag prepared for you!"


    Hannah took a deep, shaky breath, fighting back the churning in her stomach. She picked up the ss and took a sip.


    A rancid, sour taste flooded her mouth. The familiar, sickening feeling coiled in her gut.


    She mped a hand over her mouth and bolted for the restroom.


    "Hannah!"


    Lionel shot to his feet, a vein throbbing in his temple as he watched her flee. His face grew darker by the second.


    "It seems my pear juice isn''t to the greatwyer''s taste," Jason sneered. "Mia,


    take her ss away and bring her some water."


    Sandra watched Lionel''s rising anger with glee.


    Lionel had visited the orphanage


    several times and had always shown a great fondness for the children, even making substantial donations. Now Hannah was repeatedly disying her disgust and disdain right in front of him. This was going to be good.


    She gently tugged on his sleeve. "Lionel," she whispered, "I was just thinking... Hannah hasn''t been back since she left the orphanage, and she never talks about it. Do you think maybe she hates this ce? Maybe she''s ashamed of where shees from and that''s why she''s reacting this way?"


    Lionel''s mind was in turmoil. Something felt deeply wrong. He strode off in the direction of the restrooms.


    After asking a couple of children for directions, he found the right ce.


    He walked in to see Hannah leaning over the sink, her face sshed with water.


    "If you didn''t want to drink it, you shouldn''t have. But to drink it and then do this... what are the children supposed to think? This is an orphanage, not some high society gata. Stop being so picky!"


    Hannah looked up and saw his reflection in the mirror. A dry, humorlessugh escaped her as she turned to face him.


    "Picky? Do you have any idea..."


    Her words were cut off as a small child ran in, clutching a drawing.


    "Ms. Green, Director Cooper asked me to give this to you. He hopes you won''t be angry anymore," the child said in a small, squeaky voice, holding up the picture.


    Hannah''s hands gripped the edge of the sink as she looked at the drawing.