Chapter 916

The atmosphere in the house was a blend of warmth and pointed barbs. Susan, ever the vocal critic of the Wells patriarch, couldn't help but compare little Salem to his father. "When he doesn't smile, he's just like that scumbag Oscar," she grumbled, her words landing heavily in the room.

Hannah, ever the stoic, chose to pivot toward the mountain of gifts Susan had brought. Despite Hannah’s practical concerns about how fast a baby grows, Susan remained unbothered. To her, Salem was a "godson" who deserved every luxury, even if a shirt was only worn once.

The joy in the room doubled when Salem finally found his voice. After much urging from Susan to say "godmother," the toddler surprised everyone with a clear, ringing, "Mama!"

The laughter echoed through the hall, and Susan, emboldened, carried the boy over to Manuel. "Come on, call Papa now!"

"Papa!" Salem shouted, a word he had mastered months ago.

As Manuel held the boy, the three of them—Susan, Manuel, and Salem—looked like a picture-perfect family. For a fleeting second, Hannah felt a pang of relief. She realized that if anything were to happen to her, Salem would be safe and loved in their arms. Justine, watching from the side, sensed Hannah’s pride and her pain, acknowledging the "proud woman" Hannah had become to survive Oscar’s complicated absence.

The Backyard Banquet

As evening fell, the celebration moved to the backyard. It wasn't a grand, corporate gala, but an intimate gathering with a cake, candles, and a few decorations that made the space feel cozy and real.

Salem sat at the center of the table, his eyes wide with curiosity as Michelle lit the birthday candle. The group sang "Happy Birthday," their voices filled with sincere affection. The highlight of the night was the struggle to teach Salem how to blow out his candle—a task the toddler found baffling, much to the amusement of the adults.

"Never mind, let's help Sal," Susan laughed, leaning in.

Hannah smiled, lowering her head to help her son, when her expression suddenly froze. The laughter at the table died down as everyone followed her gaze.

Standing at the edge of the garden, bathed in the twilight, was Oscar.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. To Susan, he was an unwelcome intruder who had arrived just in time to ruin the mood. To the rest, he was a man who looked like an outsider at his own son's party.

Justine was the first to break the tension, ushering him forward. "Perfect timing! We’re just about to blow out the candles."

Oscar’s eyes moved immediately to Hannah. She had already masked her shock, her face settling into a polite, distant smile. "You told me not to wait for you," she said simply, "so I didn't."

Oscar nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the distance between them. He walked slowly to the table, taking his place beside Hannah and their son. For the first time in a long time, the family was physically together, but the air remained thick with the things left unsaid.