Chapter 220: Break Up

"Not too much," he smiled bitterly.

Susan knew he was lying, but she chose not to call him out. Her priority was winning his trust. "Henry, whatever happens, I will never marry Manuel, even if he threatens me. Our marriage is our decision alone. Even if I'm expelled from my family, it doesn't matter as long as I'm with you. I swear I'll never leave you."

Henry looked at her. Susan missed the subtle shift in his eyes, the hint of distress.

He offered another bitter smile. "Sorry, Susan, I flinched."

Susan's eyes widened. The recent shocking events left her reeling, questioning her sanity. Was everyone around her changing so drastically?

"Sorry, I'm not as brave as you. I decided to compromise," he stressed.

"Compromise? What do you mean?" Tears welled in her eyes. She watched him intently, fearing she'd miss something crucial in his expression.

"It's over," Henry said gravely. His tone was devoid of humor; he never joked with her.

Tears streamed down her face. "Why?"

"Because I don't want you to go to jail. I can't accept you losing everything because of me."

"I don't care! If Manuel wants me jailed, let him. If he wants to cripple me, let him! If he wants me expelled from my family, let him! I don't care!"

"But I do!" Henry's voice rose. His usually gentle demeanor shattered.

"Susan, you can't understand! I'm an orphan. I know the pain of loneliness. I don't want you to suffer like I did."

"But I'm here with you, right?" Susan looked at him expectantly. To her, everyone else could try to force her to marry Manuel—except Henry. His compromise would shatter her faith.

"Sorry, I can't. I can't see you imprisoned. I can't bear the thought of you losing a leg. I can't accept you marrying me at the cost of your family." His eyes glistened with tears. "I'm a coward. My past prevents me from letting go of everything. Sorry."

His distress stemmed not from his feelings for Susan, but from losing what he sought. He hadn't anticipated Manuel's drastic measures. He should have foreseen this. He recalled overhearing Manuel at Phillips Manor, telling friends he'd pursue Susan again. That's why he'd proposed so quickly.

He had fallen for another girl and only intended to use Susan. Without Manuel's intervention, he would have proposed a year or two later.

He regretted not marrying Susan before Manuel's return. He knew Susan deeply loved him; his proposal would have been accepted instantly.

But his opportunity vanished, not of his own accord. Edward and Justine had approached him. In exchange for abandoning Susan, he'd receive 20% of Phillips Bank's initial share—and a seat on the board. The percentage wasn't the point; it was the ownership stake.

From the start, his pursuit of Susan was intertwined with his ambition for Phillips Bank. He couldn't refuse such a lucrative offer, claiming he did it for Susan's sake and to repay the Phillips family for their support. His reputation was impeccable; he felt compelled to give Susan up.

Seeing her pain, he felt a pang—perhaps pity. Marrying Susan would have offered a more direct path to controlling the bank than the offered shares.

"I don't need you to be brave! Just stay by my side. I'll handle the rest," Susan said firmly, refusing to accept their breakup. They had been together since high school, and she loved him, not Manuel. Manuel was her stepbrother, and while she felt affection for him, it wasn't love. She'd never felt her heart race for him.

"Susan…" Henry seemed resolute.

But Susan suddenly kissed him, fearing he'd push her away, wanting to prove his lingering feelings.

He panicked, forcefully pushing her back. Susan glared. "Really?"

Henry bit his lip.

Her heart aching, Susan asked, "Henry, is our relationship so fragile?"

"Sorry, I can't risk your life. Only your life matters. I won't risk it, even if it means my demise," Henry insisted. "How can you not see that? Don't you realize you're hurting me by breaking up with me?"

"You'll find out."

"No! Never!" Susan retorted. "Henry, you'll see how much you've hurt me. I'll show you how terrible this feels."

Susan left without hesitation. Henry clenched his fists, his eyes hardening. He vowed revenge on those who manipulated his life, swearing to make them suffer.