Chapter 637: Did Manuel Deserve to Be Hurt by You?

Susan arrived at Hannah's house before Hannah. Despite Hannah's repeated urgings, Oscar had instructed Jimmy to drive at a snail's pace, much to Hannah's exasperation. Finally, they reached the villa. As Hannah prepared to exit the car, Oscar restrained her.

"Oscar, what's wrong?"

"I just want to remind you to stay calm," Oscar said, sounding aggrieved. Having just agreed to give Hannah space, he decided to remain outside the house.

Seeing Oscar's pleading expression, Hannah kissed him. "Okay," she said, starting to unbuckle her seatbelt.

"And," Oscar held her arm. This guy never knows when to stop, Hannah thought. "Don't tell Susan you're pregnant."

"Why?" Hannah asked, slightly agitated.

"You promised you'd stay calm," Oscar replied. "But why? Susan's my best friend."

"You can't tell anyone for the first three months," Oscar explained. "It's tradition."

"So, besides Susan, I can't tell anyone, not even my parents?"

"Yes."

"Oscar..."

"Look, I didn't tell Theodore."

"Can you be any more superstitious?"

"I prefer to believe it."

Hannah thought he was behaving irrationally, especially considering their impending parenthood.

"Be a good girl," Oscar said, fondly stroking her head. "You have to do this for our baby."

Hannah glanced at him, opened the car door, and stepped out.

"Be careful," he called after her.

While watching Hannah's departure, Oscar's smile faded. He checked a message on his phone and instructed Jimmy, "Go to city hall."

"Yes, sir."

Oscar's face hardened. The Collins family had finally contacted him.

When Hannah entered the sitting room, Susan was waiting, visibly upset. She was furious at having waited half an hour. Hannah understood; Susan wore her emotions on her sleeve, yet harbored forgiveness within. Hannah knew this from their past lives.

"You got here fast," Hannah said, preemptively.

"Humph."

"I'm sorry. I just went to the hospital," Hannah explained.

"Hospital?" Susan's anger momentarily subsided. "Why? Are you sick? What's wrong?"

Hannah smiled. The smile made Susan suspicious.

"Hannah, are you kidding me?"

"No, I did go to the hospital, but nothing's wrong." Hannah omitted her pregnancy for Oscar's sake. Susan, not being overly suspicious, readily believed her.

"What are your feelings for Henry now?" Hannah asked.

"I don't know." Susan sounded discouraged.

"If you don't know, you must have no feelings left," Hannah affirmed.

Susan was about to retort but found herself speechless.

"Since you have no feelings for him, you're just hurting each other by staying together. Susan, you should break up with him."

"I told him last night, but he tried to kill himself! What could I do? Watch him die? Hannah, seeing Henry covered in blood... I felt guilty. I wondered how I'd feel if he died. I'd go crazy!" Susan's voice cracked, her eyes reddening.

Hannah understood. Her past life had taught her that she would have fallen for such manipulation. She would have relented to Charles at the slightest act of kindness, let alone a suicide attempt.

"What if Manuel tried to force you like that?"

Susan paused, imagining the scenario. Then she shook her head. "That's impossible. Manuel wouldn't kill himself."

"I said if."

"No if," Susan stated firmly. "Manuel takes good care of himself. He can live without me. He wouldn't do that."

Hannah sighed.

"I went to the office to move my things today. He saw me, but he didn't react. He showed no emotion when I called. A man who controls his emotions 24/7 won't become suicidal."

"So he deserves to be hurt repeatedly?" Hannah challenged.

Susan bit her lip, frustrated and close to tears.

"Why don't you consider why Manuel shows no emotion, why he says nothing, why he accepts everything without a word? When have you not been the one to end things? When has he ever felt secure with you? When we were kids, you kissed him, then dated Henry. After you married Manuel, you wanted a divorce after your miscarriage. Now you've opened up, but you immediately walked away when Henry made a move. Susan, what would you do if you were Manuel? What could he do but accept it silently? He can't control your moods or change your mind. I wonder if he does this for your sake, to avoid putting you in a difficult position."

Hannah's words brought Susan to tears; a heart-wrenching sob. Just then, Max entered with tea, caught between a rock and a hard place by Susan's emotional outburst.