Chapter 213: Have a Talk

"Listen, whatever happens, since Manuel's asking you to marry him, you have to!" Justine insisted.

"Never!" Susan stared coldly. "It's none of your business. I'll decide whether or not I marry him. If you push me, I'd rather kill myself! He wouldn't want to marry a corpse, would he?"

Manuel watched her, his mind a turmoil of emotions.

Susan continued, "If you keep pushing, I will kill myself right here!" A moment ago, she'd felt a flicker of sympathy for him, but now, in her eyes, he'd insulted her. She turned to leave.

Hannah hurried over. Just as Susan reached Henry's car, Hannah exclaimed, "Susan!"

Susan looked back. "Hey, come to my house tonight. I have something to tell you."

"I don't want to talk to anyone right now," Susan said, overwhelmed with grief. She couldn't believe this was happening.

"But I have to talk to you," Hannah said, preventing her from getting into the car. In her previous life, Henry had taken Susan's virginity that night, marking the beginning of her tragedy. Hannah wouldn't let that happen again.

Susan turned to Henry. "It's up to you," he said considerately.

After a moment, Susan replied, "Okay, I'll go with Hannah."

"Okay," Henry nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be there for you, no matter what."

Hannah took Susan to her car. As soon as Susan got in, she burst into tears, embarrassing Jimmy. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Hannah, though used to it, found it annoying. "How long are you going to cry? You're not at a funeral," she said.

"Don't jinx it!" Susan quickly replied.

"Alright, stop crying. It's nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?" Susan protested. "Forced to marry a man I hate? You should try it before you say that."

"I have," Hannah smiled. "But it wasn't as bad as I thought."

Susan was speechless. Only then did she remember Hannah's divorce from Charles and subsequent marriage to Oscar.

A few seconds later, Susan said, "I'm not like you. You married Oscar willingly. I'm being pressured."

"Actually, you can decide for yourself."

"I don't think so."

"Well, Manuel is a nice guy."

"Stop it!"

"I don't think it'll be that bad if you marry him."

"Hannah!" Susan was furious. "Are you going to pressure me too? Don't you think what he did tonight was despicable? Even if he loves me, he shouldn't resort to such tricks. The more he tries, the more I hate him."

"It's a sign of how much he loves you," Hannah murmured.

Susan, stunned, seemed touched, but Hannah didn't press further. She knew pushing harder would only worsen things.

"Whatever. Don't worry about it."

"Yeah, whatever. In a week, I'm marrying Henry. As for Manuel, let him do what he wants. If he sues me, I'll go to jail. I'm fine with it." Susan seemed calmer, relieved.

Hannah sighed, knowing the cost of Susan's decision.

They soon arrived at Oscar's manor. Susan followed Hannah inside. It was late, so Hannah led her to the guest room.

"Hey, you have blood all over you. Take a shower first," Hannah reminded her.

Only then did Susan notice the blood – Manuel's blood. The memory of the accident sent her emotions reeling.

"Hannah," Susan said.

"Yes?"

"What if he's disabled for life? I mean, Manuel?" Susan asked. She still cared deeply for him.

Hannah smiled. "Perhaps he'll end up single."

Susan stared blankly.

Hannah added, "No one wants to marry a disabled man."

"But his family could buy him a wife," Susan countered, her voice weak.

"Would you want to buy a husband you didn't love, if you could afford it?"

Susan was speechless, questioning their friendship. Since Manuel's accident, Hannah had been unusually supportive of him.

"Just shower. I'll get you pajamas."

"Okay."

Susan went to the bathroom while Hannah went to her room. Despite the late hour, Oscar was awake, waiting. He looked up from his phone. "Welcome back."

"You haven't slept?"

"Can't sleep without you."

He began his usual sweet talk.

"How's Manuel? Is he alright?" Oscar asked.

Hannah went to get Susan's pajamas. "He's safe, but seriously injured in both legs. His left leg might recover, but his right is uncertain."

Oscar nodded; Theodore had already informed him.

"I brought Susan home, so I'm sleeping with her tonight."

Hannah left before Oscar could respond, leaving him annoyed after waiting hours.

As soon as she left, she breathed a sigh of relief, glad Oscar hadn't pestered her.

Hannah entered the bathroom to give Susan pajamas. Susan stood naked before her.

"Are you jealous?" Susan asked, noticing Hannah's expression.

Hannah smiled awkwardly. She wasn't jealous; she just thought Manuel deserved a nice body more than Henry did.