Chapter 436: Susan's Question

Hannah pulled Susan from bed. "Did you sleep all afternoon?"

Susan, still languid after being roused, remained lying against the headboard. "Am I not recovering? Shouldn't I rest more now? Sleeping is the best rest," she mumbled, seemingly content with her explanation.

Hannah was speechless. She pulled Susan up. "Go wash, dinner's almost ready."

Susan slowly complied, following Hannah to the bathroom. Hannah offered a warm, damp towel. "Wake up."

While Susan wiped her face, Hannah watched, then asked, "Did you stay up late again last night?"

Susan's silence confirmed Hannah's suspicion. "I told you to rest, and all you do is stay up late and sleep all day! Susan, can you take care of yourself? Don't you want a healthy, fulfilling life?" Hannah's frustration spilled out.

"I'm fine. I'm strong as an ox! Even my stomach feels good after the miscarriage. Everything feels cheerful, not as bad as you said," Susan countered.

"That's because you're young. As you age, problems will arise because of your carelessness now."

Susan remained unconcerned.

"Take care of yourself," Hannah sighed, wishing Susan would understand the importance of self-care and stop acting childish.

"Okay," Susan promised casually.

"Finished?"

"Yep."

"Let's eat. Your servant said dinner's ready. We shouldn't keep them waiting," Hannah urged.

Susan followed Hannah downstairs. Though only six months older, Susan had always looked to Hannah as a guiding figure, almost a mother, since childhood.

Edward had already returned from work, waiting on the sofa for Susan. He hadn't asked the servants to wake her. Hannah sometimes felt Edward spoiled Susan excessively, fostering a sense of entitlement.

"Hannah, you're here," Edward greeted enthusiastically.

"Hi, Edward," Hannah replied politely.

"Good to see you, Hannah," Edward said, rising. "Let's eat."

"Sure," Hannah nodded.

Susan, in contrast, seemed indifferent to Edward. At least outwardly. Yet, Hannah recalled Susan's suicide in her previous life following her father's death, a fact that fueled Hannah's worry and her decision to speak with Susan that evening.

At dinner, Edward urged Hannah to eat more, which she did. Susan, noticing this, asked, "Hannah, are you pregnant?"

Hannah felt a familiar wave of depression; she'd been asked that question repeatedly lately.

"What are you talking about?"

"Otherwise, wouldn't you worry about gaining weight, eating so much?"

"The food's delicious," Hannah explained weakly.

Susan pouted. Edward served her more food. "Hannah, eat as much as you like. Don't listen to Susan's nonsense. If you enjoy the food, come more often. It's just Susan and me and the servants—quite lonely."

"I will," Hannah nodded, understanding that Susan’s aloofness likely amplified Edward’s loneliness.

After dinner, Susan led Hannah to the gazebo in the garden. A servant brought tea. Susan, comfortably reclined, seemed unaffected by the recent miscarriage.

"What do you want to talk about?" Susan asked, gazing at the stars.

"About you and Manuel."

"I knew this was coming," Susan said, with a knowing smirk. "Talk."

Hannah frowned. Susan's changed attitude toward Manuel was unexpected, yet Hannah trusted her implicitly.

"I want you to stay with Manuel," Hannah stated directly. "The baby's gone, but you can have more. This shouldn't end your marriage. It wasn't easy for you two to get together. You might say you were forced, but you are together, married, you had a baby. Susan, you must know your feelings for Manuel, right?"

A coldness settled over Susan's face. Her unusual calm was unsettling.

"Did you ask Manuel about this?" Susan asked seriously.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you ask Manuel if he wants to continue our marriage?"

"Why ask him? Manuel loves you. If you want to start over, he will too, I'm sure."

"Hannah, you don't know Manuel well enough. Yes, he's kind, makes people comfortable. But once provoked, he retaliates. I miscarried his child—he'll never forgive me. Do you know why I moved out? Manuel wanted a separation; it wasn't my decision."

Hannah’s lips tightened. She hadn't realized Manuel would be so devastated. She'd thought he cared more about Susan than the baby.

"You keep telling me to start over. I ask you, if you had a miscarriage..."

"Can't you say something nice?" Hannah interrupted sharply.

Susan rolled her eyes. "It's an analogy. If you miscarried, and Oscar ignored you, wanted a separation, how would you feel? Would you believe he loved you?"