Chapter 411: Manuel's Relationship with Oscar

Hannah rose to leave, pausing for a moment before saying, "Manuel, please keep this to yourself. I'm afraid of being seen as a monster, of becoming a human trial for scientists."

Manuel smiled. "Okay. I promise."

"Don't tell anyone, not even Oscar," Hannah insisted, her face serious. She didn't want Oscar's judgment; their past held no pleasant memories.

"Okay."

"Manuel," Hannah continued earnestly, "you and Oscar are more than friends, right? Closer than Susan and me?"

Manuel remained silent.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell," Hannah said softly, unable to force a confession Oscar himself had withheld.

"Oscar is my cousin," Manuel finally replied.

Hannah was stunned. "Biological?"

"Yes."

"Your mother's or father's—"

Manuel chuckled. "Close enough. Oscar will tell you someday."

"Are you sure?"

"Oscar's been in love with you for a long time," Manuel stated plainly.

Hannah frowned. "I can't say too much; I'd spoil future surprises."

"Surprises? I'm terrified of more surprises!" Hannah exclaimed, feeling helpless. What had Oscar kept from her?

"Don't worry. Oscar wouldn't intentionally scare you. He loves you."

Hannah found Manuel's words unexpectedly sweet. "You made a good choice marrying Oscar. No matter what, he won't stab you," he added.

"Are you kidding me?" Hannah demanded, exasperated.

Manuel laughed. "It's late. You should go."

"Okay," Hannah said, rising. "Manuel, thank you for helping Susan, and for telling me about you and Oscar."

Manuel smiled slightly. "No worries. I trust you more than Susan."

"Manuel, do you have a crush on me?"

"Don't set me up!" Manuel exclaimed, fear evident. "Oscar will kill me!"

"Is he that violent?"

"I guess you've seen his hidden side," Manuel pointed out.

Hannah pursed her lips. She had.

"But don't worry, he loves you," Manuel reassured her. "You really should go. Oscar will be worried."

"He's in River Town. I don't know when he'll be back," Hannah complained.

"His love is always with you."

"Jesus! If you'd said those sweet things to Susan…" Hannah trailed off, biting back a sharp comment.

Manuel smiled nonchalantly, seemingly unconcerned about Susan.

"Goodbye," Hannah said.

"Thanks. You too."

After Hannah left, the smile vanished from Manuel's face. He longed for the day he'd overcome his heartbreak, instead of confining himself to this self-imposed isolation. He glanced at the wounds on his hands, then ignored them.

The next day, Susan was discharged from the hospital. Before leaving, she visited Henry. He was about to rise from his bed when he saw her, but the nurse intervened.

"Are you trying to kill yourself? You had a terrible accident yesterday, yet you got out of bed last night! The stitches reopened! I just fixed them. What are you doing?"

The nurse's anger made Henry uncomfortable. Susan realized he’d reopened his wounds getting up to see her.

"I'm sorry, Henry," she said guiltily.

"Don't be silly. I'll be fine," he reassured her. "It was my fault. If I hadn't…"

"It wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself," Susan insisted.

"Okay. Let's forget it," Henry said, smiling. "Going home?"

"Yes, the doctor said I'm fine and should rest."

"Good. Home is best."

"When can you leave?"

"A week. Then the doctor will reassess me," Henry explained.

"Is it that bad?"

"Not really, but the hospital can't take chances," he clarified.

Susan nodded.

"Go home. Rest well after the miscarriage. Don't stand too long," Henry urged.

"Okay. Take care. Heal soon!"

"Thanks. You too."

Susan left feeling relieved to see Henry's spirit. She'd worried about him being alone, unaware that a woman entered his ward immediately after she left.

Edward arrived to pick up Susan. He'd rushed to the hospital after receiving the call. He waited until she emerged from Henry's ward before taking her home.

In the car, Edward said, "Susan, take care of yourself. Be careful and recover fully."

"Okay, I know. Stop it," Susan said impatiently.

"Okay, okay. I'll drop it," Edward conceded, changing the subject. "Get over this and mend things with Manuel. You're young; you can have kids later…"

"Dad! Shut up!" Susan snapped. "Stay out of it!"

"Susan! Listen! Are you still in love with Henry?"

"It's none of your business."

"Why are you so stubborn? Manuel's wonderful! I've known him since he was a child. No one loves you more. You'll regret breaking up with him."

"Shut up or I'll jump out of the car!" Susan threatened.

Edward sighed and fell silent.

The car reached Manuel's apartment. Susan hurried into the elevator to avoid Edward's further pronouncements.

In the elevator, her heart pounded. Something felt profoundly different between her and Manuel.