Manuel began recalling his first meeting with Susan. At that time, Susan harbored no ill will toward him; she was unaware of her father's impending marriage to Manuel's mother. From her perspective, their initial encounter was simply a friendly one. However, her vibrant and charming demeanor ignited a spark of love in his heart, a feeling that deepened with time.

When Susan defended him against others, his love solidified. Ever since Edward married Justine, Manuel had faced constant disdain for his humble origins. Many upper-class children insulted him for his background, mocking his mother's past as his stepfather's mistress and calling him a bastard. Manuel, however, was accustomed to such treatment. He had endured similar insults during his childhood, living alone with his mother. He never retaliated; his mother had raised him to be a gentleman, to avoid conflict with rude people and to avoid needless trouble. She instilled in him a profound sense of tolerance from a young age. Both Justine and Manuel possessed this remarkable tolerance; it explained his silence in the face of insults, even as a child, and his acceptance of the unrequited love he felt.

One day, some upper-class children taunted him; Susan overheard. She defended him, declaring, "Manuel is my brother. Anyone insulting him insults me! I'll tell my father, and he'll tell your fathers, and you'll all be punished!" Despite her mischievous nature, Susan, a member of the prestigious Phillips family, still commanded respect. After this incident, fewer people dared to insult Manuel.

His feelings for Susan deepened. Though she had helped him, she did not reciprocate his affections. In high school, he hoped she might develop feelings for him, but she began a relationship with Henry. He remembered writing a love letter after their first kiss, a letter he took a month to summon the courage to deliver. Before he could, however, he saw Susan walking hand-in-hand with Henry, oblivious to him and the tear-filled eyes and clutched love letter he held. That day, he tore the letter to shreds.

He lived his life, watching Susan and Henry's relationship blossom. He noticed her increased happiness with Henry. After graduating high school, he went abroad to study. The three years were difficult, and he ultimately decided to extend his stay. During those four years, he didn't miss Susan constantly, but he did miss her sometimes. Whenever he spoke to his mother, she would mention Susan's happy relationship with Henry. He understood her intent – to gently convey that a relationship with Susan was impossible – and responded with quiet acceptance.

After college, Justine urged him to return home, suggesting it was absurd to remain away from his mother solely because of a girl. By his fourth year of study, his longing for Susan had significantly diminished. He looked at her photos less frequently, his time consumed by his burgeoning game development business with classmates. When he left for home, her pictures were locked away in a drawer. He believed he had moved past his infatuation with Susan.

Even after four years, Susan remained hostile. She likely hoped he would remain abroad. Manuel ignored her animosity, wishing Susan and Henry well. Hearing that Susan was eager to marry Henry, but Henry hesitated, Manuel spoke to Henry, offering his support for their union. He had no intention of separating them; rather, he sought to facilitate their marriage. It was during this period that he discovered Henry's deception.

Looking at Susan, he wondered why she hadn't acted on what he perceived as a mutual attraction. If he had confessed sooner, he mused, perhaps she would have accepted him and never fallen for Henry.

He leaned closer, intending to kiss her.

"Henry..." Susan murmured.

Manuel froze.

"Henry, don't leave me..." Her whispered words were clear.

He recoiled from her bed. Even an earlier confession, he realized, likely wouldn't have changed things. Her feelings were not deep love, but a youthful crush. She truly loved only Henry.

He left, closing the door behind him, the act requiring more effort than he anticipated.

The next day, Susan awoke with a throbbing headache. Disoriented, she struggled to rise, parched from a hangover. She found it unusual; she hadn’t drunk excessively. She couldn't recall returning home or getting into bed. Looking down, she saw she was in pajamas.

"Shit!" Who had changed her? Tia? Or Manuel? Dismissing the idea of Manuel's involvement as improbable, she felt relieved.