WARNING: Spoilers for The Haunting of Bly Manor ahead

In episode 5 of The Haunting of Bly Manor, "The Altar of the Dead",  the focus of the story shifts from Dani and the kids to Hannah Grose, as her past and memories are finally revealed to the audience — one memory in particular seems stronger than others. No matter what, Hannah keeps going back to Owen’s job interview, reliving their first meeting. As she comes to terms with her tragic midseason twist, Hannah somehow always ends up sitting across Owen in the manor’s kitchen; the reason for this is pretty bittersweet.

Over the course of the season, Hannah and Owen appear to be very close. Both have worked together for the Wingrave family for quite some time; during that time, they developed a friendship. They care a great deal for Flora and Miles, but their bond seems to go beyond Bly Manor and their jobs. Despite rolling her eyes, Hannah enjoys Owen’s puns, jokes, and his love of teasing her. They know each other’s tastes and passions, and their scenes together always show a hint of flirting going on between them. Their feelings for each other become especially clear during the bonfire in episode 4, "The Way It Came", when they sit together and share a blanket while discussing moving to Paris.

Related: Why Only [SPOILER] Remember Everything About Bly Manor's Ghosts

Episode 5 confirms Hannah is in love with Owen. After Miles—while possessed by Peter—kills Hannah by pushing her into a well, she remains trapped in the mansion due to the Lady in the Lake ghost. However, Hannah’s mind refuses to accept her death. Instead, she wanders the house and grounds believing she’s still alive. When Owen finally suggests they leave Bly manor and start a life together in Paris, Hannah’s fantasy is shattered. Her mind no longer can pretend things are normal, and she begins to jump from memory to memory instead. This explains why she appears confused and dazed in previous scenes, as her past is now mixed with the present inside her mind.

The Haunting of Bly Manor Rahul Kohli as Owen and T Nia Miller as Hannah in the Kitchen

However, one single memory functions as an emotional anchor for Hannah: the moment she met Owen for the first time. As the manor’s caretaker, Hannah was the one who interviewed Owen for the cook position. Their chemistry and connection are immediately apparent from the moment their eyes meet. While it might’ve not been necessarily love at first sight, it was certainly an emotional turning point for Hannah. Not long before the interview, her husband abandoned her and moved with another woman, leaving Hannah heartbroken. At the suggestion of Flora and Miles’ mother, she starts living in the manor. Meeting Owen and falling in love again gave Hannah a new chance in life.

This is why she keeps coming back to the same memory of Owen: it represents the moment she realized she had a chance to be happy again with a man she so dearly loves. Hannah couldn’t willingly accept her death because she was clinging to the possibility of their love. Deep down, she knew it was already too late. Her happiest memory ended up helping her embrace the truth so she could help Miles and Flora in turn. Like many moments in The Haunting of Bly Manor, Hannah’s realization was a bittersweet one. It was her love for Owen that ended her dream of their life together.

More: The Biggest Unanswered Questions After Haunting Of Bly Manor