She felt the world had ended. Having sex with Manuel had been the worst experience of her life. But something even worse had happened—she was pregnant with his child. She considered suicide.

"I know how much you hate this," Hannah said, "but you can't make this decision alone. The baby is his too. Go home and talk to him. Talk nicely. Even if you want an abortion, he has a right to know."

Susan found Hannah's reasoning difficult to refute, as always. Hannah then accompanied her to the doctor's office. Following the consultation, Hannah stayed with Susan on the way to her apartment. Since learning of her pregnancy, Susan seemed utterly despondent, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self. Hannah recognized that this wasn't the time for a serious conversation; Susan needed time to compose herself.

Hannah texted Manuel to prepare him for what was to come.

"Hannah," Susan said abruptly after Hannah finished texting.

Hannah was startled, as if Susan had discovered a secret. But Susan hadn't noticed what she was doing.

"I want to see Henry," Susan stated frankly.

"Do you think that will help?" Hannah asked, sounding slightly sullen.

"I don't know. I just want to talk to him. I don't want to see Manuel, not even for a second."

"Do you think talking to Henry will make you feel better? No, I don't think so. It will only make things worse for both of you. Will you tell him you're pregnant? Or keep it a secret? If he knows, what kind of answer do you expect? Do you want him to convince you to keep the baby? Or to tell you to have an abortion?" Hannah analyzed seriously.

Susan remained silent. Hannah always managed to dissuade her from impulsive actions.

"Whatever his answer, you won't like it," Hannah said frankly. "So why talk to him now?"

Susan, leaning against the seat, was deeply depressed. They reached Susan's apartment, where she lived with Manuel. Hannah walked her inside. Manuel was watching cartoons. Hannah wondered, amused, if he'd even begun to prepare for fatherhood.

Before Hannah could speak, Susan exclaimed, "Hannah, be quiet!"

Clearly, Susan didn't want Manuel to know about her pregnancy. Hannah obeyed. However, she'd already contacted him. It seemed unfair to keep him in the dark. Before Hannah could gauge Manuel's reaction, she saw Susan storm into her bedroom. Hannah followed.

Susan lay on the bed, looking dejected.

"Rest," Hannah said softly. "You can talk to him about the baby later." She knew how upset Susan was.

"Hannah, I don't want this baby. I mean it," Susan said, looking at her.

Hannah remained silent.

"I don't love Manuel. It would be cruel to bring a baby into a loveless family. I'm afraid an abortion is a better choice than letting the baby live in such a situation," Susan said gravely, a rare display of seriousness.

"If the baby's feelings are your biggest concern, abortion isn't the best solution. You and Manuel should build a loving family for the baby's sake. You could choose to live with him and love him…"

"But I don't love him."

"Have you ever tried?" Hannah asked.

"He doesn't deserve a try."

"Nothing is proven without a try. Susan, since you married Manuel, you're a couple. There's no going back. Don't expect him to divorce you when he tires of you. And if he never tires of you, you'll both waste your lives."

"No! I won't spend my life with him."

"Do you want to be married to him?" Hannah asked.

"Never."

"But you are married to him."

Susan was speechless.

"Divorce isn't a simple decision. Your current mindset is hurting you and Manuel. And Henry too, because you've been giving him false hope. Have you considered that Henry might waste his life waiting for you while you end up with Manuel?" Hannah argued from another angle.

Susan hesitated, as expected.

"Susan, you can't live so selfishly. We don't always live only for ourselves. Consider if your actions will hurt someone kind to you. You had sex with Manuel and conceived his child. After all that has happened between a couple, do you think you can easily end the marriage? If I were you, I would let go of my bias against Manuel. And I'd let go of my feelings for Henry and start a new life."

"But I don't want to," Susan said, tears welling in her eyes.

She knew Hannah was right. After what happened with Manuel, she no longer had the right to turn to Henry, even if he'd promised to wait. She couldn't simply start over with Henry as if nothing happened.

Her distress wasn't solely about the failure of her relationship with Henry. It was about Manuel's manipulation, about how he'd gotten what he wanted while she and Henry were forced to sacrifice everything. How could Manuel get what he wanted while she and Henry lost everything to fulfill his desires?