Chapter 211: Compensation

With a ghastly pale face, Manuel was carried from the emergency room. Fortunately, he remained conscious. Justine rushed to his side. "Manuel, are you alright?" Manuel managed a weak smile.

Tears welled in Susan's eyes. She feared his smile would freeze if he knew his right leg was permanently disabled.

They escorted Manuel to the VIP ward. Doctors and nurses transferred him to a bed, started an IV, and attached various medical instruments before leaving. The others remained.

"Hey, I'm fine, though a bit weak. Don't worry. Just go home and rest," Manuel urged.

Justine wept again, as did Susan. Susan's tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Mom, I'm fine," Manuel tried to reassure Justine.

Justine felt immense sorrow for her sensible son.

"Manuel…" Justine hesitated, feeling choked. She knew she couldn't keep the truth from him indefinitely. She couldn't bear to see him comfort them while remaining unaware. Her heart ached.

"What happened?" Manuel sensed something was wrong.

Tears streamed down Justine's face.

"Mom!" Manuel looked at her, bracing himself for bad news; he knew the car accident had come at a cost.

"Manuel…no matter what, Mom will always love you," Justine sobbed.

"What happened? What happened to me?" Manuel asked, striving for calm.

Justine struggled to speak, the words caught in her throat. After a tense silence, Manuel began to examine his body, considering the usual aftermath of a car accident—disability or disfigurement.

He was disabled. He remembered his face was largely unharmed. The answer was clear: his legs were severely injured.

He'd tried to move his legs since waking from surgery, initially attributing his inability to the anesthesia. Now, his smile faded. Bloodshot eyes betrayed his struggle to hold back tears.

Susan couldn't bear to watch. Despite her sadness, he maintained a brave façade. Tears flowed ceaselessly down Susan's face. Regardless of her past feelings, she felt immense guilt and sorrow.

"I lost my legs?" Manuel asked.

Justine sobbed, near collapse, grief rendering her speechless. Manuel pulled out his IV needle and reached for his legs.

"Manuel, no!" Justine hugged him, stopping him.

"Both your legs are intact! The doctor said, while you can't feel your right leg, recovery is highly possible with advanced medical technology."

His eyes were bloodshot, tears welling, but he held them back.

Heartbroken, Justine comforted him, "Manuel, it's okay, as long as you survived."

Suppressing his sadness, Manuel resolved to accept the cruel reality.

Hannah, witnessing his pain, felt deeply affected. Since her rebirth, she'd rarely experienced such strong emotions, but Manuel's sensitivity moved her.

A nurse returned to administer another IV.

Within ten minutes, Manuel composed himself, masking his distress.

Hannah, surprised by his inner strength, hoped this experience would change Susan.

"Manuel," Susan said, approaching him. She hoped an apology might ease her guilt.

Manuel's eyes revealed no emotion.

"Sorry," Susan whispered. Despite her stubborn nature, she wouldn't shirk responsibility. She'd caused this, and she apologized, considering further amends.

Then she paused. She would discard her prejudice against Manuel and Justine and accept them as family.

"Susan," Manuel replied.

Tears lingered in Susan's eyes; Henry supported her with a comforting hug. Manuel knew, from the police report, Susan was involved in the accident.

"Will you marry me?"

Stunned silence followed. Susan stared.

"Marry me!" Manuel repeated.

"No! Impossible! I'll never marry you!" Susan instinctively rejected his proposal.

Manuel held her gaze. Despite her guilt, Susan wouldn't compromise, but he wouldn't give up. He would resort to manipulation, however despicable.

"I lost my leg. Don't you think you should spend your life making amends?"

Susan's sadness, sympathy, and guilt vanished, replaced by intense hatred.