As Yves spoke, Hannah''s gaze dropped, and she pressed her lips together into a thin line.


    Realizing his tone had been too sharp, Yves immediately softened his voice. "I''m sorry, that came out harsher than I meant. I''m just worried about you."


    When Peter had called, Yves had frozen for a few seconds, convinced he''d misheard. Rushing to the hospital, he found Hannah lying in bed, looking pale and utterly exhausted. He remembered the vibrant, cheerful girl she used to be and felt a pang of anger at how she''d been worn down to this.


    Lionel, he thought bitterly, if you could see her like this, wouldn''t you feel even a shred of remorse?


    Hannah shook her head, forcing a faint smile. "I know you''re just looking out for me, Mr. Lancaster. I just let my anger get the best of me. It won''t happen again."


    Even as she said it, she felt a wave of uncertainty. She couldn''t promise she''d be able to control herself. Today, she could have just ignored them, let him drive her to work, and focused on her own life.


    But...


    She couldn''t let it go. She was too stubborn, too suspicious, too caught up in it all. That''s why she''d acted on impulse, buying the roses and the breakfast, making a scene. She didn''t even understand why she feltpelled to do it.


    Seeing her eyes well up with tears, Yves pulled a tissue from the box on the nightstand and handed it to her.


    Hannah thanked him quietly and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.


    "I''m fine, really, Mr. Lancaster. I''ve had plenty of rest. You don''t have to stay with me any longer. I don''t want my problems to interfere with your work."


    Just as Yves was about to reply, Hannah''s phone buzzed.


    It was a call from Tess.


    They hadn''t spoken in ages. Between Tess'' demanding job and Hannah''s own chaotic life, they were lucky if a text was answered within a few hours.


    "Hannah, I''m in Sova for a business trip! Let me know when you''re free. We have to go shopping!"


    "You''re in Sova? When did you get here?" Hannah asked, her voice filled with surprise. A spark of light ignited in her eyes, a single firefly in an endless darkness, finally flying toward her.


    "Justnded," Tess said. "I don''t have to work for a couple of days. We haven''t seen each other in forever. I miss you so much!"


    Hannah looked up at Yves. "I just


    need to ask for some time off. Hang on." Then, turning to him, she asked, "Mr. Lancaster, a good friend of


    it be possible for me to take the next couple of days off to be with her?"


    mine just got into town. W of


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Yves agreed. "Of course. A change of scenery will do you good."


    "Thank you so much, Mr. Lancaster!"


    After setting a time with Tess, Hannah had the doctor check her over onest


    time. Confirmed to be stable, shepleted the discharge paperwork, and Yves drove her to meet her friend.


    As Hannah got into his car, Lionel


    wasing downstairs and saw the scene, his brow furrowing in confusion. He was shocked to see her at the hospital at all—he thought. she''d left hours ago-and even more surprised to see Yves with her.


    He pulled out his phone to call her, his frustration mounting as the call went straight to the familiar, infuriating automated message, it was a stark, repetitive reminder that she''d blocked him againted lost count of how many times it had happened this month.


    He then tried calling Yves.


    Inside the car, Yves nced at the iing call, a dismissive smile touching his


    lips before he rejected it.