The more Sandra thought about it, the more panicked she became. She got out of bed, picked up her phone, and sent a message to Hannah.


    The next day, Saturday, Hannah woke up but stayed in bed, with no intention of getting up anytime soon.


    The past few days had been a whirlwind of one crisis after another, leaving her feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, as if she had aged several years.


    She had nned to spend the day resting at home, but just before bed, she had received an unexpected message from Sandra.


    It said to meet her at a coffee shop at eight in the morning for a personal, face-to- face apology.


    Reading the words, Hannah could feel the arrogance radiating from them, despite the neutral tone.


    She hadn''t replied and had no intention of going.


    Sandra was the one who had made the mistake, and Sandra was the one who wanted to apologize. But the time and ce were for Hannah to decide, not her.


    Why should she have to amodate Sandra''s demands?


    Did Sandra really think she could order her around?


    Hannah closed her eyes and continued to rest. Yves, knowing how much she had on her te, had spoken to their team lead and arranged for her workload to be lightened. Her colleagues understood and hadn''tined about the special treatment.


    Still, Hannah felt a little guilty, so before leaving work the previous day, she had offered to treat everyone to dinner on Sunday.


    With ns for Sunday, she decided to spend Saturday at home, rxing with her phone and watching TV.


    After about half an hour, feeling more awake, Hannah slowly made her way downstairs for breakfast.


    She was surprised to see Lionel sitting at the dining table, looking at his phone.


    She checked the time on her own phone.


    It was almost 9:30 a.m. By this time,


    gone having


    Lionel was usually for the


    mished breakfast and


    office. Why was he still here?


    A sense of caution washed over her as she walked to the table and pulled out a chair.


    "I made breakfast," Lionel said. "Why are you up sote? Are you not feeling well?"


    Hannah nced at him, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. After a moment''s thought, she decided not to answer.


    This sudden concern had to be about something.


    It was either rted to Sandra or Cora.


    Whatever it was, she wanted no part of it. She would eat quickly, go back upstairs, and lock her door.


    When Hannah didn''t respond, Lionel assumed she was still angry with him.


    ton my own by having


    "I know I acted o


    Cora sent away without talking to you first," he said. "You have every right to be angry. But you know what she''s like better than I do. Keeping her here would only make you more


    her here as better to just get her


    upset, so it


    out of the house."


    Hannah remained silent, her head bowed as she ate.


    "I should have sent her away a long time ago, instead of letting things get this


    bad."


    Hispany had been in chaos, with Quennel constantly sabotaging him behind the scenes. He came


    home exhaled every day and met


    simply didn''t have the energy to deal with the drama at home, which had allowed the situation to escte.


    He looked at Hannah expectantly, but she continued to eat as if she hadn''t heard


    a word.


    Lionel''s lips tightened. "Do you like the breakfast?"


    Still no response. Silence descended upon the dining room.


    After nearly a minute, Lionel spoke again. “Are you going to the coffee shop to


    meet Sandrater?"