Chapter 83
“We’ll see Grandma first, then I’ll take you to the office,” Lionel said, his eyes scanning her face. She looked exhausted, her lips pale and her eyes red and puffy. “If you didn’t sleep well, you can go in this afternoon. Go back upstairs and rest p>
Hannah sat down without a word, her expression blank. She ate her breakfast in silence, like a doll devoid of a soul.
When she finished, she walked straight to the garage, ignoring Lionel calling her name from behind. He hurried to catch up, opening the driver’s side door.
“Are you sure you want grandmother to see you like this?” he asked.
Hannah took a deep breath and closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. After a long moment, she spoke. “How do you want me to look? Dressed to the nines with a full face of makeup? Or should I show up with a long face, looking like I’m at a funeral? If you’re coming, let’s go. If not, I’ll go by myself p>
Lionel was silent for a few seconds before starting the car. The drive to the hospital was filled with a heavy, suffocating silence.
Only when they reached the hospital room did Hannah’s face show any emotion.
“Grandma!” She rushed to the bedside, gripping the old woman’s hand tightly. “How are you feeling today p>
Seeing Hannah, Mrs. Rosenberg’s spirits lifted instantly. She reached up to stroke her forehead.
“Oh, my dear child, you’ve gotten so thin again,” she fretted, her voice thick with worry. “You look so pale. It’s my fault you’ve had to suffer.” Her heart ached seeing Hannah’s weary face.
Hannah shook her head. “No, of course not p>
The grandmother turned her sharp gaze to Lionel, who was standing quietly by the door. “You have the nerve to show your face here?” she snapped. “Did everything I said to you go in one ear and out the other p>
“Lionel, I’m telling you, the Rosenbergs have always been faithful. We don’t have people like you in our family! If you don’t cut ties with that Sandra woman for good, I’ll disown you p>
Lionel pulled a chair over and sat down. “There’s nothing going on between us. She needed to talk to me about something, and the paparazzi caught us. Grandma, you know better than anyone how much those vultures lie p>
The old woman snorted. “I’m not blind. You say she needed to see you? Tell me, what was so urgent that she had to meet you at your hotel at the crack of dawn? Couldn’t she have just sent a text p>
Lionel hesitated, unsure how to explain.
Seeing his silence, Hannah’s
emotions churned. After a moment of internal debate, she spoke up, her voice steady. “Sandra’s family is in trouble They’re trying to force her into an arranged marriage with some man named Hans. She
doesn’t want to go through with it,
so she came to Lionel for help p>
Lionel’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe Hannah would bring this up now; especially when Mrs. Rosenberg Sr. was so frail. She, who cared more about the old woman’s health than anything was now willing to risk it all just to secure their divorce.
“Help? And how are you going to help her?” his grandmother demanded. “If she doesn’t marry this man to save her family, what’s the alternative? Is she going to marry you? Lionel, are you planning on taking a second wife p>
Growing more agitated, she grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.
“Grandma, this is the twenty-first century. Bigamy is illegal,” Hannah said with a faint, wry smile.
The matriarch’s face was stern as she stared down her grandson. “So what’s your plan? Divorce Hannah and marry that woman? I’m telling you, as long as I’m afiye, I will never let that woman set foot in the Rosenberg family p>