"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.
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