Chapter 222: Susan Compromised

In the ward, Susan wept, her sobs wracking her body as she clung to Manuel's shoulders. She desperately wished Manuel would compromise, wished he were the man he once was, attentive to her every whim.

She couldn't understand his sudden change, a transformation mirroring Hannah's. Yet, Hannah still loved and cared for her, regardless of her own changes. But why had Manuel become so monstrous, so hard-hearted?

"You've always been there for me, given me everything since we were children," Susan choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "You've never forced me to do anything against my will. It's always been my choice." Tears streamed down her face. "I'm telling you, I'll consider you my brother from now on. Please stop loving me. Please forget me. Just let me go, let me marry Henry."

"I can bear anything else," Manuel replied in an unfamiliar, hard tone, "but not this. It's non-negotiable."

What had caused this ruthless transformation in Manuel?

Susan lifted her head from his shoulder, tears falling onto his cheeks. "Manuel, what's the point of marrying a woman who doesn't love you?" she asked.

"I don't care, as long as I love her," he responded.

"What do you see in me? I'll change, okay?" Susan's voice cracked. She felt a surge of self-doubt. She was irritable, unattractive, and accomplished nothing. Why would he love her? She wondered if anyone could ever love someone like her.

What was wrong with Manuel? What did he see in her? Her body? A desirable body that fulfilled a man's sexual needs? If so, she could even let herself become obese.

Manuel remained silent, his impassivity suggesting her words had no effect. He refused to listen, to yield to her wishes.

Susan disengaged herself from Manuel and stood, and he seemed to sigh with relief. She lowered her head and dressed, the act seemingly a further retreat from him.

Pulling on her clothes, she said, "Manuel, I don't know why you do this. I don't know why you insist on marrying me, and I don't know what I can do to change your mind. But know this: I'm damn sure you won't be happy after marrying me. I swear it!" The last few words were practically a shout.

Manuel remained silent, patiently enduring her outburst. He knew, with chilling certainty, that she truly hated him now—a hatred that went beyond mere words.

Susan left Manuel's room. Her father was in the adjacent room. She paused at the door, knowing that entering would seal her fate. There was nothing to stop it; everyone wanted her to marry Manuel. She would make them see what a terrible mistake that was.

Inside, Justine sat beside Edward, her eyes red and swollen. Susan couldn't tell if Justine's distress stemmed from Manuel or her father. Either way, she looked a decade older.

Justine and Edward were surprised to see her. Edward had assumed she wouldn't visit.

"Don't upset your father. The doctor said..." Edward began.

"I'll do as you wish," Susan interrupted sharply.

Both Justine and Edward were stunned.

"Go to Manuel's room. We'll discuss the conditions," Susan said coldly. "Call the lawyer."

"Are you serious?" Justine asked, incredulous.

Susan smiled coldly. "After all," she said, "I won't be the one suffering most in this marriage." She would make Manuel pay.

Susan left, then gritted her teeth and returned to Manuel's room. He looked at her, bewildered, never expecting her return. This time, she said nothing, merely sat on the couch, waiting.

Shortly, Edward and Justine arrived. They sat silently until Jack, the Phillips family's lawyer, appeared. Manuel had anticipated Susan's plan.

"Jack, please record everything I say. I'll legalize it later," Susan stated directly.

"Okay," Jack replied.

Susan then declared bluntly, "I agree to marry Manuel."

Silence fell upon the room.

"But I have five conditions," Susan continued. "First, you two must divorce."

"Fine. We've signed the agreement. We just need to register it," Justine said.

"I mean completely divorce," Susan interrupted coldly. "You will relinquish all shared assets. You will not take a penny from the Phillips family."

"Okay," Justine said without hesitation.

"I require the divorce certificate by the end of the day."

"Okay."

"Second, after the divorce, you will not live in the Phillips manor, and you will have no further contact with my father."

Justine hesitated slightly before nodding. "Okay."

"Third, Manuel and I will live separately after the wedding. Neither of you will interfere in our lives or pressure us to have children. I will never bear Manuel's child!"

"Susan..." Justine protested, her voice laced with sorrow. She could exact revenge on Susan, but the thought of Susan hurting Manuel pained her.

"Okay," Manuel agreed.

Susan's gaze fell upon Manuel, but there was no tenderness in her eyes. This man would never touch her again.

"Fourth, I broke up with Henry; I must compensate him," Susan stated.

Edward started to speak, but Manuel cut him off. "Go ahead."

Edward fell silent.

"Pay Henry two million as a breakup fee, and buy him the house he's renting. It's what you owe him," Susan said. She had offered to buy him a house before, but he had refused.

"Fine," Manuel readily agreed.

Susan laughed grimly. Manuel was using the Phillips family's money; the expense meant little to him.

"Fifth, the wedding will be held on the date I was to marry Henry," she announced. It would be Saturday. Sooner was better; she wouldn't endure this torment for one moment longer.