“What do you want to buy?” Justine asked.

Susan ignored the question. “Why should I report to you?” she retorted, still stung by Justine’s earlier slight.

Justine, slightly unhappy but unfazed, said, “I’ll go with you later.”

“Please, no,” Susan flatly refused. “I’m going shopping, too.”

“Then go by yourself! Don’t be with me.”

“Manuel will go with us,” Justine said, seemingly oblivious to Susan’s displeasure. Turning to her son, she added, “You don’t go outside much, do you? You’d better walk more often.”

“Right,” Manuel agreed.

Susan’s anger flared. She knew Justine had looked down on her from the start, pretending to be kind. Susan decided to photograph Justine’s appalling behavior and show it to her father, revealing the woman’s true nature.

Eventually, they all went to the mall. Few people were there; it wasn’t the weekend.

Justine pushed Manuel’s wheelchair. “Is there anything you want to buy?” she asked him.

“No. Just buy what you want,” he replied.

“What about you?” Justine asked Susan.

“Sheets,” Susan answered, unwilling to share a bed with anything that reminded her of Manuel.

“I’ll be with you,” Justine said.

Susan didn’t object and they went to the bedding department. She chose a pink sheet set, bedding bag, pillowcases, and bed skirt, along with a second set in a different color. After selecting her purchases, she went to the cashier.

As she produced her credit card, the cashier said quickly, “Your husband has already paid.” She glanced at Manuel, who remained silent in his wheelchair.

Manuel noticed Susan’s gaze but didn’t react.

Susan pursed her lips, wondering how Manuel could afford such expensive bedding while unemployed. Then she remembered her father’s financial support and felt less embarrassed.

Later, while shopping for clothes, they passed the lingerie section.

“Wait a second,” Justine said. “Let’s buy some underwear.”

Susan reluctantly followed her into a lingerie shop. As they entered, Manuel said, “I’ll wait outside.” Justine immediately pushed him into the shop.

“I don’t understand why you’re shy,” Justine said, somewhat at a loss.

“I’ll wait outside,” Manuel insisted. “Tia, push my wheelchair outside.”

Tia obliged, leaving him to wait.

Inside, Susan found some appealing new arrivals. As she approached the counter, Justine stopped her. “You should buy these two sets,” she said, holding up two pairs of underwear.

“So ugly,” Susan commented.

“They’re for pregnant women,” Justine explained.

“I don’t need them. They’re ugly and shapeless,” Susan insisted.

“Don’t you know your breasts are supposed to lactate during pregnancy? Lactation is a significant change; how can you expect them to develop properly while constricting their shape?” Justine said seriously.

Before Susan could respond, Martina emerged from a fitting room.

Susan was surprised to see her.

“Are you pregnant?” Martina asked.

“Yes. Dad is Manuel,” Susan said pointedly, knowing Martina’s feelings for Manuel. This was intended to provoke her.

Martina’s face fell. Stunned by the news of Susan and Manuel’s marriage, she was even more shocked by the pregnancy. A dark look flashed in her eyes before she left without a word.

Watching Martina storm off, Susan felt a surge of satisfaction. Marrying Manuel had the added benefit of upsetting Martina, besides escaping her father.

“Let’s go,” Justine said, holding a shopping bag containing the underwear. Susan, deciding to buy her own bras later, chose not to argue.

They left the shop, rejoining Manuel.

“Did you see Martina?” Susan asked casually.

“Yes,” Manuel replied.

“Didn’t she say anything?” Susan pressed.

Before Manuel could answer, Tia interjected, “Yes. That lady said Mr. Johnson will fall in love with her sooner or later.” She believed Martina was trying to create a sense of crisis for Susan, aware of Manuel’s appeal to women.

Susan wasn’t surprised; she felt superior to Martina’s transparent tactics.

“She kissed Mr. Johnson forcibly,” Tia added.

Susan’s smile faltered for a moment. She glanced at Manuel’s lips.

“Mr. Johnson ducked, so she only kissed his cheek,” Tia quickly explained, noticing Susan’s gaze.

Susan appeared indifferent. “You don’t have to report this to me. It’s none of my business.”

“You and Mr. Johnson are a couple, and another woman kissed him…”

“That’s enough, Tia,” Manuel interrupted firmly.

Tia subsided, though still feeling wronged on Manuel’s behalf. She felt Susan needed to appreciate him more, lest she suffer a harsh lesson about the world.

…

Martina left the mall, fuming in her car. The thought of Manuel rejecting her and Susan’s pregnancy drove her to a furious scream that startled her driver.

How could Susan have Manuel’s child? she raged. She believed herself to be the only worthy woman to bear his children.

Gnashing her teeth, she called Henry. She vowed to prevent Susan’s baby from being born.