Chapter 629: She Was Too Afraid to Face Manuel

"The doctor said I can be discharged, as long as I don't touch the wound," Henry said, affecting a calm demeanor. The white gauze on his wrist was faintly visible beneath his clothes.

Susan hadn't slept the previous night; Manuel consumed her thoughts. She'd felt impulsive, repeatedly yearning to go to his home, to be with him constantly. She felt like a girl in love, utterly captivated, her world shrinking to encompass only him.

Then, Henry called. She hesitated to answer, yet felt a need to speak with him, to reconcile after their recent turbulence. Calming herself, she decided to have a thorough conversation, wanting to avoid any misinterpretations of her relationship with Manuel, to prevent him from being unfairly judged because of her.

As soon as she answered, Henry said, "Susan, I don't hate you. I just blame myself for not being good enough to keep your love."

"That's not true, Henry. You are good. It's just Manuel..."

"Manuel is better than me, right?" Henry asked, a slight smile playing on his lips.

His smile pained her; it intensified her guilt.

"It's okay. I understand," Henry continued. "Manuel is better-looking, more capable, richer. You should choose him. He's the right person for you. Susan, you're beyond my reach."

"Don't say that, Henry, please. I don't think I'm beyond your reach. I feel guilty about pursuing you then, defying my father. It all stemmed from the wrong motives, but that's past. I want to make amends for the hurt I caused you."

"No need," Henry replied, his face hardening.

Susan confessed that her initial pursuit had been an act of rebellion against her father. But Henry admitted his motives weren't pure either; he'd pursued her to gain access to Phillips Bank. Had it not been for him, Susan would have been with Manuel. He'd seen them kissing at school and, realizing their mutual attraction, had schemed to win her over.

"I'm sorry, Henry."

This guilt was Henry's leverage. Knowing her soft heart, he understood she wouldn't leave him if he played the role of the heartbroken victim.

"You don't need to apologize or make amends. There's no right or wrong in relationships," he said.

Susan wept. She'd planned substantial material compensation.

"Goodbye, Susan," Henry whispered, his voice weak.

"Henry, are you okay?" Susan sensed something was wrong.

"Yes."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, his voice fading. "I wish you and Manuel happiness. I won't be an obstacle in the future, Susan…" He seemed to choke. "If there's a next life, I hope we… pass by. Then it won't be so… painful…"

"Henry!" she cried, but the line went dead.

Susan was jolted by his despair, fearing he might harm himself. She rushed to his apartment. Knowing each other's passwords, she entered easily. Inside, she found him in a pool of blood.

Terror seized her. She called an ambulance.

Waiting in the hallway, blood staining her clothes, she felt overwhelming remorse. The thought of his potential death was unbearable.

Over three hours later, he was rescued. Seeing her, he murmured, "Sorry about this."

Susan collapsed in tears.

"Don't cry. I was born alone, and when I die, I'll be alone too." He was highlighting his loneliness without her.

The realization that he had no family, no one to comfort him in this crisis, intensified her guilt. She changed her mind, deciding to relinquish Manuel. Manuel had family and friends; he was thriving post-divorce. But Henry had only her.

"Let's go. I'll take you home," Susan said, managing a smile.

"I'll go to the office first," Henry said. "I want you… to come back to me."

Susan nodded silently. Later, she defied her father, resigning from her position as Manuel's assistant. She knew, unequivocally, she was too afraid to face Manuel.