Chapter 289
“Hannah, hop in. It’s cold outside.” I told Hannah.
Gloria and Bonnie were constantly pressuring me to team up with them, which was a no-go.
Hannah nodded, silently getting into my car. I didn’t even look at Gloria and Bonnie, and I just drove straight off.
In the car, I asked, ‘Hannah, did you meet Bonnie when she was dating your brother?”
“A few times.” Hannah sighed, ‘Bonnie once came to our house with Oscar.”
I got it. It looked like they were really hitting it off then.
Then Hannah added, “Actually, I didn’t really like her, but Oscar… Never mind”
She stopped mid-sentence, but I was curious. Hannah didn’t like Bonnie back then? That was unexpected.
After all, Bonnie was a pure college girl back then, totally Oscar’s type.
Hannah didn’t want to talk anymore, so I didn’t push her.
When we got home, Neil wasn’t back yet, so I told the maid to start preparing dinner.
Hannah and I sat in the living room. She was wearing a long-sleeved jacket, so her wrists were exposed whenever she reached out. When she picked up the cup in front of her, I saw a bruise on her wrist.
I was puzzled. Did she hurt both her neck and wrist when she fell?
Then Hannah suddenly started sobbing softly, “Ms. Finch, could you do me a favor? I’m at my wit’s end…”
“Go ahead.” I sensed she had something to tell me.
Just then, Neil came back. As soon as he walked in, he saw Hannah crying. His face was cold.
He took off his coat and then poured himself a glass of water
Hannah stopped talking when she saw Neil coming back, looking at him with a touch of fear in her eyes.
Neil’s cold demeanor could indeed make people feel intimidated.
My dog ran over and began rubbing his pants leg. He playfully nudged its nose with his toe.
“Just ignore him and keep going.” I told Hannah gently.
Hannah’s voice dropped significantly, “I want to divorce my good-for-nothing husband, but he won’t let me. I came to this city hoping to find a job here, so I don’t have to go back.”
So Hannah’s injuries were caused by domestic violence.
Normally, she didn’t work, so she couldn’t leave her husband. This time she used the excuse of dealing with Oscar’s affairs to make a trip, but she didn’t want to go back.
But if she didn’t want to go back, she needed a place to stay and a job to earn money; otherwise, she couldn’t survive.
She hoped I could help her find a job so she had a way to make a living.
“What can you do?” I asked.
“I only have a high school diploma and not much work experience, but I’m willing to work hard. I can be a waitress or a cleaner! I just want to be able to support myself.” Hannah’s eyes lit up as she immediately responded.
That was easy. I agreed without thinking too much.
“Thank you so much! I’m really grateful!” Hannah said to me gratefully.
“No need to be. If your parents need to move to Rosemont, I’ll help.” I answered seriously.
Hannah nodded tearfully.
Neil was off to the side, smirking one moment and teasing the little dog the next. I wasn’t sure if he was upset by what I
said.
I didn’t want to ask too much in front of Hannah. When it was time for bed, Neil suddenly pointed to the floor, “You’re
sleeping on the floor tonight.”
I was about to get into bed. Stunned by his words, I asked, “What?”
“You sleep on the floor; I sleep on the bed. Don’t you understand?’ Neil looked at me coldly.
“Neil, what’s wrong with you?” I was speechless.
Neil scoffed, “What’s wrong with me? You’re the one with the problem. You’re so concerned about Oscar’s family as if he’s your husband.*
I just thought Neil was a bit odd. But after hearing this, I felt a chill.
I didn’t expect Neil to have any sympathy for Oscar’s death, but he shouldn’t twist my feelings for Oscar like this.
This was an insult to Oscar!
“Neil, are you crazy?!” I shouted this out, then went to sleep in another guest room. It was more comfortable than sleeping with him.
Because of Neil, I couldn’t sleep half the night.
Oscar did have feelings for me, but ever since I rejected him, he never said anything that made me uncomfortable.
Now Neil was talking about us like that. If Oscar heard this in heaven, he would feel wronged.
I was about to fall asleep late at night when I heard a faint sound of the door opening, followed by footsteps.
“Are you asleep?” Neil’s voice came over, and he crawled into the blanket without hesitation.
“Scram.” I muttered under my breath.
“Are you mad?” Neil skillfully hugged me from behind, kissing my earlobe, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been jealous.”
I twisted my shoulder hard, breaking free from Neil, then turned around and glared at him, “Neil, are you mentally ill? One minute you’re like this, and the next you’re like that. You’re a lunatic.”
The room was dark, but a sliver of moonlight came in through the window; it was just enough for me to make out Neil’s silhouette and his slightly gleaming eyes.
He stared at me, then suddenly grabbed my hand, “Just consider me a lunatic. If you’re angry, you can hit me. Aren’t you good at slapping people?”
I yanked my hand out and got ready to get out of bed, planning to switch to another room.
I also remembered that I needed to lock the door!
Neil quickly pulled me back, hugging me, “Don’t switch. It’ll be daylight by the time you switch rooms.”
“Then you get out.” I clenched my
teeth.
*No. Wherever you sleep, I sleep.” Neil seemed a bit stubborn, “How about this? I’ll help Hannah find a job as an apology. okay?”
I was taken aback, “You’ll help her find a job?”
“What, don’t you trust me?” Neil’s voice was right next to my ear. When he spoke, his breath touched my ear, making me a little itchy.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I hope you can help her find a job with better conditions.” I bluntly made my request.
Neil was left both amused and baffled by my sudden change in attitude. He snuggled his head into the crook of my neck. took a deep breath, and rasped out, ‘Fine, but she’s got to leave Sterling Estates by the day after tomorrow.”
I just gave a noncommittal grunt. I was tired, so I closed my eyes to catch some Z’s.
But Neil, the unstoppable machine that he was, seemed to have no concept of what exhaustion meant. After seeing me drifting off to sleep, he started getting antsy.
