Chapter 437: Hannah's Persuasion

Hannah was speechless in response to Susan's question. Susan, she reasoned, wouldn't create trouble without cause; she was rational, especially regarding significant matters.

"Hannah, Manuel rejected me," Susan confided. "Should I try to stay with him? I never liked him, and living with him was agonizing. Now that he's made his stand, why bother?"

"Something must be troubling him," Hannah stated assuredly. "Otherwise, he wouldn't act this way."

The miscarriage couldn't be the sole reason for Manuel's rejection; otherwise, he wouldn't have pressured her into marriage initially.

"What else could it be?" Susan retorted sarcastically. "He probably realized I'm unlovable."

Hannah raised an eyebrow. "Was your car accident related to Henry?"

"It had nothing to do with Henry," Susan insisted.

"Was it because Manuel discovered your concern for Henry after his accident?" Hannah pressed, unable to think of another explanation for their breakup.

"I don't know, and frankly, it doesn't matter whether he knew or not. Everyone knows I like Henry; Manuel certainly does," Susan declared confidently.

"Susan, are you sure you like Henry?" Hannah asked.

"Yes! If I liked Manuel, I would have admitted it long ago. Why wait until Henry appeared?" Susan questioned. "I don't like Manuel."

Hannah was at a loss. Instead of persuading Susan, she found herself convinced; their divorce felt fated.

"Remember that night you came to care for Manuel?" Susan asked. "Yes. Did anything happen?"

"I cared for him all night, but he threw a tantrum when he woke up," Susan said, still angry. She concluded, "He's an abominable man."

"What happened?" Hannah inquired.

"Nothing, just Manuel's madness," Susan replied, visibly furious. She was determined to divorce him; it would be her first priority upon recovery. Thereafter, they would be enemies.

"Are you angry?" Hannah asked gently.

"Mad as hell!" Susan exploded.

"Have you considered why you're so angry? Your anger at Manuel's bad attitude is disproportionate. You'd only briefly curse someone insignificant. Only a significant person's hurtful words linger," Hannah pointed out.

"That's not true!" Susan countered bluntly. "I'm furious because he's a bad person, not because of his importance!"

"Susan, take marriage seriously. You've invested so much time, finally building a relationship. Are you prepared to give up so easily, without fear of regret?" Hannah pleaded.

"If I regret the divorce, I'm a shit!" Susan declared firmly.

The situation seemed irreversible. Hannah felt disheartened; Susan's stubbornness was insurmountable.

"Don't try to persuade me. I know my feelings. Only I know if my life is good," Susan stated. "You wouldn't understand."

"Susan..." Hannah began.

"If you keep this up, I'll break up with you too!" Susan threatened.

"Just one more sentence," Hannah pleaded.

Susan paused. "Okay, one sentence."

"Don't divorce immediately. Give yourselves more time," Hannah urged.

"How long?" Susan demanded.

"Three months," Hannah suggested.

"Impossible! A month, maximum," Susan refused.

"Why?" Hannah asked.

"I don't want Henry to wait too long."

"But you're still married! Shouldn't you avoid considering others?" Hannah pressed.

"That's why I want a quick divorce! Then I'll have the right to consider others!" Susan exclaimed.

"There's no curing you," Hannah sighed, exasperated.

"My love for Henry is unstoppable," Susan declared.

"What if I told you Henry is a bad guy?" Hannah blurted out. She knew Manuel had hidden concerns—keeping Edward and Susan safe—a form of amends for forcing Susan into marriage. But she could no longer keep the secret.

"If Henry's bad, there are no good men left!" Susan retorted through gritted teeth.

"What if I'm right?" Hannah pressed.

"Then I'll jump off the roof of this house... No, not high enough. The Phillips Bank building," Susan said slowly, deliberately.

Hannah's heart clenched. Susan had died this way in her previous life. Quickly, she covered Susan's mouth. "Don't talk nonsense!"

"It's fine," Susan said, trusting Henry implicitly. "Henry's not bad, so I wouldn't need to."

"Don't say that again," Hannah insisted seriously.

But Susan didn't take her seriously. Hannah dared not press further.

"Think carefully about your marriage. If you have any affection for Manuel, don't divorce. Otherwise, your feelings for Henry aren't deep," Hannah finally said.

"You promised one sentence!" Susan protested, unwilling to change her mind. She insisted her feelings for Manuel were mere sympathy; he hadn't been unkind to her.

"Okay, since you won't listen, I'll go," Hannah said, checking the time.

"Why are you so cruel?" Susan complained as Hannah rose.

"I'm not as free as you. I have work tomorrow," Hannah replied.

Susan frowned.

"Rest fully before returning to work," Hannah urged.

Susan felt annoyed, longing for the days when others catered to her needs.