Chapter 1102: The Two Who Shouldn't Be Here

Susan, wheeled out of the delivery room with Manuel beside her holding their newborn, saw Hannah in the hallway. Susan was incredulous. Why had Manuel left Salem sleeping unattended in the corridor all night? He'd become selfish since their daughter's birth, seemingly unconcerned about his godson.

"How is it?" Hannah asked, struggling to rise with the five-year-old Salem in her arms. He was heavy for her.

"We had a girl," Manuel replied, his joy evident. He couldn't conceal his elation at being a father.

Susan rolled her eyes. "Manuel," she chided, "I've been patient enough! Who are you to prevent my best friend from seeing my child?"

Manuel couldn't defend himself; he hadn't meant to exclude Hannah. He'd simply wanted to entrust the newborn to the medical staff before retrieving Salem from Hannah, then allowing her to hold their daughter.

He handed over the baby girl, took Salem, and offered no explanation, knowing Susan would argue regardless. Hannah, after struggling with the sleeping boy, returned him. Manuel then offered the baby to Hannah.

As he passed the infant to the medical staff, both Hannah and Susan understood his intent. Hannah held the baby; she wasn't beautiful yet, but certain features resembled Susan's, instantly deepening Manuel's love. No wonder Susan was jealous.

"Mr. Johnson, let's return to the ward," the medical staff gently reminded.

"Okay."

They proceeded to the advanced ward. Despite preparations, the baby's arrival in Jolencami was unexpected. Susan, lying in bed, watched Manuel fussing with the baby, irritated. With numerous staff present, his involvement seemed unnecessary. She felt ignored since the birth, reinforcing her belief that childbirth was often a loss, not a joy.

"You must be tired," Hannah said, placing Salem beside Susan. "Why don't you rest?"

Susan, still angry, couldn't sleep.

"You have to understand the feeling of being a new father," Hannah said, sensing Susan's frustration.

"I didn't see Oscar like this when you gave birth to Salem," Susan retorted.

Hannah, having let go of past hurts, calmly explained, "Salem was critically ill; Oscar couldn't do much."

The memory seemed to strike Susan. "I'm sorry," she said, contrite.

"It's okay; it's all in the past, and Salem's fine now," Hannah smiled.

"That's true," Susan agreed. "You're not with Oscar, you've remarried…Damn!" She seemed to remember something.

Hannah frowned, as did Manuel, who was organizing his daughter's belongings.

"When did you arrive?" Susan asked.

"Probably when you'd been in labor for half an hour."

"You stayed with me all night?"

"Yes."

Susan's eyes widened. "I ruined your wedding night!" Then, "Did you and Doyle… have sex before marriage?" She remembered their separate sleeping arrangements at Oscar's villa, implying last night should have been their first time together, ruined by Susan's presence.

Guilt washed over Susan. "Is Doyle angry? Did he not come because of that?"

Hannah smiled. "No, he's not angry."

Susan, disbelieving, urged Hannah, "Go back; I'm fine, perfectly capable. Go be with Doyle."

"I'll stay," Hannah replied.

"You must have argued; Manuel, give me my phone. I need to call him…"

"Susan, really, there's no need."

Susan's impulsiveness was legendary. "Then leave! Go back to Doyle!"

Hannah remained silent, when suddenly, the door burst open. Oscar and Theodore entered; they should have been far from Jolencami. Theodore quipped, "So, what's next after giving birth?" Their surprise at seeing Hannah again, so soon after her wedding, was palpable. The two who shouldn't be there, were. An awkward silence filled the ward before Oscar, without a word, left.