Chapter 223: The Extreme Conditions

“No!” Justine exclaimed angrily. “I’m fine with the first four conditions, but I can’t accept the fifth. Manuel is badly wounded. The doctor said he’ll need at least two weeks in the hospital. How can he possibly have a wedding in a week?”

“I’ve made my decision,” Susan said firmly. “I can’t guarantee I won’t regret it later. You all know why I agreed to marry Manuel.”

“Okay,” Manuel agreed.

Susan glanced at Manuel, then steeled herself and refused to compromise. Manuel knew she’d set these extreme conditions to embarrass him, to show her lack of care.

“I said no!” Justine insisted. “You have to postpone the wedding. Besides, you won’t even be able to get out of bed, let alone sit in a wheelchair!”

“It doesn’t matter. He can lie in bed, and I don’t mind marrying him that way. I’m not looking forward to the wedding anyway,” Susan said indifferently.

“Even so, you should consider Manuel’s health. He’s badly wounded because of you! Can’t you compromise for him?”

“If I hadn’t compromised, do you think I would agree to marry him?” Susan retorted sarcastically.

Justine was furious. She would never have agreed to the marriage if Manuel hadn’t been so badly wounded, or if he hadn’t insisted.

“Mum,” Manuel said, “The doctor said I’ll be fine. I believe I can sit in a wheelchair in a week. Don’t worry. I know my own health best.”

“You’ve lost yourself in Susan!” Justine said, disappointed. She couldn’t understand Manuel’s obsession. He’d always been sweet and independent, but he’d abandoned his principles for Susan.

“Take your time to discuss it, and let me know. But I don’t have much patience. If I don’t hear from you by tonight, our wedding will…”

“No need to discuss it. We’ll get married as you wished,” Manuel interrupted.

Susan had mixed feelings. She’d deliberately made things difficult for Manuel, but she wasn’t happy about embarrassing him. She was marrying Manuel in a week.

She sighed and said, “Make the wedding as simple as possible. No procession or anything. Just the church ceremony. And no more than fifty guests.”

“Are you kidding me?” Edward protested. “I have hundreds of business partners. We should invite far more than fifty!”

“It’s my wedding. It has nothing to do with your business partners!”

Edward and Justine were speechless.

“If you want to invite all your friends and business partners, hold a divorce party. You can invite as many guests as you like then,” Susan added.

Edward felt a headache coming on.

“No problem. No more than fifty guests,” Manuel conceded.

Susan glanced at Manuel, believing he would eventually realize their marriage wouldn't be happy. She turned to leave, her eyes red with unshed tears. She knew she had no room to maneuver.

She left the hospital, took a cab home. Her eyes were red and swollen, but she held back her tears. She didn't think weeping over Manuel was worthwhile.

“Young lady, are you alright? Don’t lose hope, whatever’s wrong. Be positive! Medical technology is advanced; you’ll be fine with proper treatment,” the middle-aged driver said kindly.

Susan looked at the driver. He thought she had cancer. His words were surprisingly comforting. She just needed to get through this, until Manuel realized they weren’t a good match.

She wiped her tears and called Hannah.

“Hello, Susan.” Hannah was in bed.

Susan didn't even remember getting home. She'd come back from the hospital, then… the call.

“I’m marrying Manuel,” she said, as if announcing the end of the world.

“Congratulations!” Hannah’s response was calm. She'd foreseen this; Susan had married Manuel in her previous life, and it hadn't ended well.

“I feel bad,” Susan sobbed.

Hannah could offer little comfort. She couldn't reveal much, but she would help Susan change her life.

“I don’t know how this marriage will end…” Susan paused. “I’m afraid I’ll be a bad woman.”

“No, you won’t,” Hannah said. “Later you’ll know who’s best for you, and whom you truly love.”

“Manuel might be the best, but he’s definitely not the one I love.”

“Susan…”

“Okay, I gotta go,” Susan said dejectedly. “I don’t want to talk about Manuel anymore today.”

“Okay. Pull yourself together. Trust me. Everything will be fine,” Hannah said reassuringly.

“Yeah, I see.”

Susan hung up.

Hannah considered, then called Manuel.

“Hi, Hannah.” Manuel’s voice was gentle.

“Susan told me she’s marrying you.”

“Yes,” Manuel added, “I did it in a rather harsh way.”

“At least you got what you wanted.”

“Don’t you hate me?” Manuel was surprised.

“Nope,” Hannah said frankly. “And I hope you win Susan’s heart and love. Never give up on her, or stop loving her.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“And congratulations!”

“Thanks.”

Hannah hung up, stretched, and prepared to get out of bed.

“Hannah.” A voice startled her.

She whirled around to see Oscar on the couch. Had he been there all along? How had she not noticed?

“Oscar! I was on the phone! You shouldn’t have eavesdropped!” she exclaimed angrily.

“What? Are you cheating on me? What’s the problem?” Oscar said lightly.