Chapter 311 Touched

Susan drove herself to the café. Upon entering, she saw Henry seated by a window. As always, he had arrived first. No matter how busy he was, he prioritized their date. Susan found their fading relationship perplexing.

She approached him. Henry rose and pulled out her chair, a familiar gesture that only deepened her unease. He offered a bitter smile as they sat facing each other.

"I ordered your favorite—a cappuccino with extra milk and sugar," Henry said, breaking the silence.

Susan nodded. "Henry, I need to talk about last night," she stated frankly.

"I know," he replied. "Go ahead."

"Were you the one who took me from the nightclub?"

"Yes."

"Why weren't you at the hotel when Hannah found me?"

"I left," Henry answered.

Tears welled in her eyes. She didn't understand his absence. Had he stayed, she would have given him her virginity, as she'd intended. Instead, Manuel had taken it.

"I couldn't bear to hurt you," Henry explained, his voice laced with distress. "I knew you needed me, but I couldn't bring myself to stay. I was afraid you'd regret it in the morning."

"Did you ever consider that I might regret sleeping with someone else?" Susan challenged.

"Susan, you're married. Sleeping with me would hurt you, and you'd be accused of infidelity. I couldn't let you bear that blame."

"Compared to that accusation, do you think I feel better having lost my virginity to a man I don't love?"

"You slept with someone else last night?" Henry asked, a palpable unease in his voice.

Susan nodded. She and Manuel had spent hours together; she had initiated the encounter. The memory brought fresh tears.

"I thought you would…if I left you alone," Henry murmured, visibly distraught. "I couldn't stay; I was afraid I'd lose control. But I didn't send you home, and I never wanted you to be with anyone else. Blame my selfishness. Even after your marriage, you were the purest to me. I didn't want to know you'd been with another man. Yes, I'm selfish. I can't be with you, but I still desire you." He appeared on the verge of collapse.

Before last night, she had considered herself pure. Now, she felt anything but.

"Henry, honestly, I hate you for being a coward!" Susan cried. "If you'd been braver, you would be here with me now, facing Manuel together! Instead, I'm facing this alone."

Henry waited silently to accept her blame. Susan, having understood his cowardice as Hannah suggested, knew she had to leave.

She stood, but Henry grasped her arm. "Wait."

She paused.

"I'll wait for you," he said unexpectedly.

Touched and disbelieving, she hardly processed his words. Since he’d remained distant during her marriage to Manuel and left her alone last night, she’d assumed their relationship was over, especially after her encounter with Manuel. She’d come to end things.

His words, however, exceeded her expectations.

"I don't care about you and Manuel, or your marriage. I'm willing to wait for the rest of my life."

Tears streamed down her face. His compromise made it impossible to refuse him. She turned, throwing herself into his arms. After last night's events, she craved warmth and support. They clung together, like faithful lovers.

After several minutes, Henry released her. They gazed into each other's eyes.

"Don't cry," he said softly. "It breaks my heart."

"You'll wait, but why weren't you there to fight with me?"

"Because I'm not strong enough. I'm incapable of many things. Waiting for you is all I can do."

"Henry," she began.

"I don't pity myself," he continued. "I don't believe I'll love another woman. You don't need to feel sorry for me. This was my choice. Even if you end up with Manuel, I won't regret it."

Overwhelmed, Susan felt herself falling for him anew. She vowed to return to him someday.

…

In his office, Hannah called Manuel after careful consideration.

Manuel answered, recognizing her voice. "Hey, Hannah."

"Did Susan leave?"

"Yes," he replied.

"She went to see Henry," Hannah said directly.

"I know." He'd seen her leave. After last night's ordeal, she needed someone to lean on.

"I've investigated last night's events. It wasn't Henry who drugged Susan; it was one of her friends at the nightclub," Hannah revealed. She hadn't told Susan, deeming it best to discuss with Manuel.

"I knew it wasn't Henry. He wouldn't drug himself," Manuel responded.

"Why?" Hannah asked, surprised.