Chapter 506 Change

The nurse smiled, noticing Susan’s gaze. "The doctor saw two patients with high fevers today—you and the gentleman next door. His temperature reached 104. There’s a lot of flu going around since the temperature dropped. Take care."

Susan wasn't alone in her illness.

After a while, with the nurse’s assistance, Susan received an infusion following some medication. In the next room, Manuel was awake, working on his laptop.

Susan, phobic of pain, screamed when the needle pierced her skin. Manuel paused typing, then resumed with a stoic expression.

Boredom gnawed at Susan as she lay in bed. Sleep eluded her; television and her phone failed to alleviate the lingering dizziness. Sick and restless, she slumped in bed, filled with regret.

Sighing, she was about to call Hannah when her phone rang.

"Henry?" she answered.

"Are you at the hospital?"

"Yes, I'm getting an infusion."

"I'm finished with work. I'm coming."

"You don't need to…"

"I have to. I'm coming." His tone was firm.

Susan remained silent.

Half an hour later, Henry entered the room. Seeing Susan's pale face, he said, "I'm sorry, Susan. I should have stayed…"

"It's okay," Susan interrupted. "Forget last night. It was your birthday; you have the final say."

Henry held back a response. Taking her hands, he said, "Susan, trust me. Give me some time."

"Okay," she nodded. She never doubted him; sometimes, she was just confused.

"Henry, I want to sleep," Susan changed the subject.

"Okay, I'll be with you."

Susan smiled and settled down, Henry gently helping her.

Noticing her many layers of clothing, Henry suggested, "Why not take some clothes off? It's warm in here with the heating and quilt. Sweating too much will hinder your recovery."

Susan nodded, then shook her head, remembering the hickeys on her neck. She needed the clothes to conceal them. "No, I'm cold," she quickly said.

Henry didn't press the issue, helping her lie down. Susan expected a long time to fall asleep, but she quickly drifted into a deep slumber.

Perhaps feeling overheated, she instinctively tugged at her clothes. Noticing her sweating forehead, Henry leaned in to help remove them. As he removed her coat, he saw the marks on her delicate neck.

His face hardened, his fists clenching until they were white. Nothing had happened between them at the restaurant last night; the truth was clear. He imagined what must have followed.

Anger burned beneath the surface, though he fought to suppress it. He'd been distraught last night, just like Susan. If not for the shares, he wouldn't have rebuffed her.

Hatred overwhelmed him. Now, seeing the hickeys, he was powerless. He couldn't pretend he hadn't seen them, nor could he break up with Susan—he needed her to obtain Phillips Bank. But his masculine anger was uncontainable.

He loved Susan deeply. Of course, seeing those hickeys left by another man enraged him.

His twisted expression lingered. Still, he replaced her coat. Slowly, he wrestled with his anger.

Henry woke her. He was pinching the infusion tube, indicating it was empty.

"What time is it?"

"Afternoon. Are you hungry? Let's go eat," Henry said warmly.

Susan was surprised she'd slept until afternoon, but it made sense considering her sleepless night and the replaying events with Manuel. Regardless, she needed to forget it.

They left the room. Passing the next door, she glanced inside and gasped.

Henry noticed her reaction. They saw Manuel's blood flowing back into the empty infusion bag; he was still asleep, leaning against the headboard.

Susan rushed over. "Hey, wake up! The bag is empty!"

Manuel opened his eyes, seeing her pale, panicked face. He turned to the infusion bag. He'd simply rested after finishing work, dismissing the nurse because he didn't want to be disturbed, intending to call for assistance when finished. He hadn't expected to fall asleep for hours.

Ignoring her worry, he casually pressed the call button. "The bag's empty, and some blood has returned."

"We'll be right there."

The nurse quickly arrived to address the issue. Susan, worried, watched with Henry. He stared coldly at both of them, even noticing the hickeys on Manuel's neck.

They shared both fever and hickeys. The thought made Henry clench his fists.

The nurse finished, apologizing profusely. Manuel, after saying it was okay, stood, donned his coat and scarf, and left with his laptop, without a word to Susan, not even a glance or a thank you. He was friendlier to the nurse.

Susan felt upset. Watching his back, she wished she'd left him alone. She felt she'd brought trouble upon herself.

"Come on, let's go," Henry hugged her.

Only then did she notice him. She appeared distraught.

"He won't thank you," Henry smiled softly.

Swallowing hard, she realized her feelings for both men had shifted.