Chapter 232 Don't Touch Me

"Give me your hand," Manuel said gently. Susan bit her lip. She didn't want to. Though touched by his request, her deep hatred for him remained.

They reached an impasse. Manuel explained, "I'm on crutches; I can't hold your hand."

Susan looked at him, then offered her hand. It wasn't out of pity; she simply wanted to avoid wasting time and potential ridicule.

Manuel visibly relaxed. He was nervous, but masked it well. Gently, he placed the ring on Susan's ring finger. He'd bought the rings himself, estimating her size. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly. Susan wondered if he'd secretly measured her finger.

"Susan, your turn," Manuel reminded her.

"I know. I just don't want to," she replied, refusing to admit her momentary lapse in concentration. Manuel pursed his lips and remained silent.

The priest prompted, "Miss Phillips, please place the ring on the groom's finger." Reluctantly, Susan slipped the ring onto Manuel's finger.

She planned to discard the rings immediately after the ceremony. Then, she heard the priest exclaim, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" Applause erupted. Manuel, struggling to contain his emotions, used his walking stick to approach Susan, attempting to appear natural.

"Don't touch me," Susan said coldly.

Manuel stopped, his lips a hair's breadth from hers. They were so close, a kiss seemed inevitable. He pulled back.

From a distance, it looked like a kiss. However, those nearby saw that Manuel hadn't actually kissed her.

He stood erect as the priest declared the ceremony concluded. Guests departed, including Hannah, who glanced back at the new couple.

Manuel's doctor assisted him into a wheelchair. This was clearly the best he could manage.

Hannah and Oscar left. Manuel and Susan entered a black car, not heading for the banquet hall, but the marriage registration office. Susan realized they hadn't yet legally registered their marriage. Gritting her teeth, she resolutely went inside.

They had a reservation, avoiding a wait. Both submitted their documents.

Two stamps echoed, their marriage certificates issued. Susan hesitated to take hers.

"It's useful for a divorce," Manuel said.

She immediately took it, the word "divorce" being the deciding factor.

The registrar was visibly surprised, observing the bride's reluctant expression and the groom's subtle smile. The groom's deep affection was evident.

Back in the car, silence reigned. They acted like strangers, their impending separation palpable. Soon, they reached the five-star resort hotel. Before the banquet hall, they went to separate dressing rooms to change.

Susan resisted changing. As she was about to instruct the staff, she found Hannah waiting.

Susan was speechless. "Why are you here instead of with Oscar?"

"To make sure you change," Hannah replied, aware of Susan's intentions.

Hannah arranged for staff assistance. Seeing Susan's compliance, she said, "I'll check on Manuel."

"No need!" Susan protested.

But Hannah left, going to Manuel's dressing room across the hall. Justine answered the door.

Hannah politely greeted Justine, who responded kindly, a stark contrast to her usually reserved demeanor around Susan. This was due to Susan's past coldness.

"I'm here to see Manuel."

"He's inside," Justine said, ushering her in.

Hannah found Manuel receiving an IV drip, his leg being attended to by a doctor. He'd dislocated his already fragile bone after forcing himself to stand.

"I'm fine," Manuel quickly explained. "Mom's worried, so she sent the doctor."

The doctor's expression contradicted Manuel's statement.

"Continue then. I'll talk to your mother," Hannah decided, sensing Manuel's desire for privacy in his vulnerability.

Justine invited Hannah to sit. They sat at a comfortable distance. Hannah had been influenced by Susan's dislike of Manuel, her father, and stepmother, inheriting a prejudice she only overcame after her rebirth.

"Justine, I want to talk about Susan," Hannah stated.

Justine seemed prepared. "Susan's a good child. I know that."