Chapter 576: Misunderstanding
Susan found it harder to calm herself after Henry left. Agitated, she tossed and turned before finally sitting up and reaching for her phone. She discovered Martina had taken it. Henry had told her to call if she was scared, unaware of her phone's absence.
Biting her lip, Susan questioned whether Henry loved and deserved her, quickly dismissing the thought. She dressed and left home, still panicking but somehow managing to drive her long-undriven car in the middle of the night. She needed to talk to Manuel.
Driving at a moderate speed, her heart pounded. She parked outside Manuel's apartment, but hesitated at the door, consumed by nerves and a desperate need for the truth. She had to repay him if he'd saved her, or abandon her wishful thinking if he hadn't.
She entered the password, but it was wrong; he'd changed it. A mix of emotions flooded her. She rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. Was Manuel out? Or was he somehow connected to the earlier explosion? Was he injured?
Sudden fear washed over her, turning her face pale. The door abruptly opened, revealing an impatient Manuel. She felt unwelcome. Stunned, she remained speechless for a moment.
"What's the matter?" Manuel asked lightly, breaking the silence.
"You were home?" Susan finally asked.
"Any problem?" he replied.
"You've been home all along?" she pressed.
"Yeah."
"Did you…"
"What do you want?" he interrupted impatiently.
Susan bit her lip. She found his coldness familiar.
"I think you met me tonight," she said, a little upset.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Manuel said coldly. "It's late. I must go to bed."
"Wasn't it you tonight?" Susan asked, tears welling in her eyes. She felt a profound sense of disappointment, though she couldn't quite place its source.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Manuel raised an eyebrow.
Susan stared at him. Before she could respond, he blurted out, "You've come to the wrong place. Henry doesn't live here."
Susan saw his indifference. This cold, heartless man couldn't have been her rescuer. She'd made a mistake.
Manuel's careless observation of her confirmed her realization. He bluntly announced his intention to sleep. As he started to close the door, Susan's hand caught it, causing her pain and a cry of distress.
Manuel immediately released the door, showing a flicker of concern at her red, swollen hand.
"It's late. Can you drive me home?" Susan asked, swallowing her pain.
"Can't you go back yourself?" Manuel restrained his emotions.
"No," Susan insisted.
"You can call Henry."
"I don't have my phone."
"I can call him for you…"
"Tell me," Susan said bluntly, "Did you call Henry to save me earlier?" She desperately wanted confirmation of her strong suspicion.
Manuel remained silent. Susan's desperation grew; she couldn't understand his refusal to admit it. Was he afraid of her future requests? She simply wanted to repay him; she hated owing favors.
Manuel's silence stretched on. Susan stared at him, pleading for a positive answer.
"No," he said firmly.
Susan was speechless, then burst into tears, a strange laugh escaping her.
Manuel remained calm, saying, "Hold on. Let me get dressed and drive you home." He would rather compromise with a ride than admit his involvement.
Tears streaming, Susan watched him go into the room. Feeling helpless, she nevertheless summoned the courage to follow. She'd planned to confront him at the warehouse earlier that evening. She didn't understand his leaving, but craved his warmth.
Suddenly, Susan froze. She saw a woman in his bed, her arms bare beneath the covers. The woman was naked, Susan realized – Tia, the young servant she'd hired after marrying Manuel. She had intended to give Manuel opportunities for an affair with Tia, and her plan had succeeded. Manuel had begun a relationship with Tia after their separation. She had assumed he was single. She'd expected Martina, not Tia. Reflecting on it, however, Manuel had always been kind to Tia, patiently teaching her, and spending much time with her; their relationship made sense.