Chapter 638: Learn a Lesson

Susan cried, gasping for breath like a child. She made no attempt to stifle her tears. Finally, Max brought tea and refreshments, quickly departing. Susan cried so long she could barely breathe. Hannah sat beside her, patiently waiting for the emotional outburst to subside. She seemed increasingly accustomed to Susan's volatile nature and calmly picked up a cupcake.

No sooner had Susan's weeping ceased than she noticed Hannah serenely enjoying her treat. "Hannah, aren't we friends? I'm devastated, and you're eating a cupcake?"

Hannah put down the cake. Susan's capacity for tears reassured her; she was alright. Hannah knew that in truly unbearable situations, tears were impossible. During Charles's abuse in her past life, Susan had been utterly unable to cry.

"Have you figured it out?" Hannah asked.

"No," Susan replied, blowing her nose. "I can't give up Henry."

"Susan!"

"If he died, I couldn't bear living alone, let alone peacefully with Manuel. I just can't do it."

"Henry isn't going to die."

"He tried to kill himself."

"He did it to get your attention," Hannah explained slowly, bluntly. "Did it ever occur to you that this is the first time you've truly broken up with him?"

Susan froze.

"Last time you agreed to marry Manuel, why didn't Henry threaten suicide?"

"Because he thought I still loved him, that we still had a chance. He still had hope. Now, I'm breaking up with him. He's desperate; I'm the only person in his world!" Susan broke down again. If even one of his relatives were alive, things might be different. Henry's utter isolation was precisely why Susan felt unable to leave him.

"I don't know who I like, who I love," Susan sobbed. "I thought Henry was the one, my forever. I felt inseparable, destined for a lifetime together. But then Manuel appeared. I admit I had feelings for Manuel while Henry was away. I kissed him in school because I wanted to, but I didn't have strong feelings. After Henry, that kiss felt like boiling water used to quench thirst—tasteless."

"I didn't know the joy of love until Henry. And yes, I chose him partly to spite my father. I wanted to antagonize him, do the opposite of what he wanted. But then I liked him. Then I didn't. I fell for Manuel, even dreamt of him—he was always there…" Susan's confession grew increasingly anguished.

Hannah was at a loss for comfort. She heard Susan continue, "I still don't know who I love. Do I like Manuel as a person, or just his body? I'm intensely drawn to sex with him. Did Manuel's physical attraction make me dislike Henry? Why was I so desperate to return to Henry when he was in danger? Hannah, I feel like a slut! I despised women who dated many men, and now I'm one!"

"So, you're saying you like them both?" Hannah raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know. I don't know if I love Henry more, or Manuel. Lately, I've felt guilty about Henry. But if it's just guilt, why am I so terrified of his death? I didn't even hesitate to return to him. Do I still love him?"

Hannah gazed intently at Susan, sensing her own uncertainty mirrored in Susan's eyes.

"It doesn't matter," Susan said to herself. "I don't want to know. I've decided to be with Henry. As for Manuel… I owe him. When my father divides his estate, I'll leave him a large sum."

"And you still think he married you for your money?" Hannah asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"That's what I tell myself," Susan said, her eyes red. "It's the only way I can cope."

Hannah swallowed back her prepared words. She'd decided to tell Susan everything—Henry's ulterior motives, Manuel's unspoken truths. But Susan's admission of confusion silenced her. Revealing the truth now would only further break Susan down or make her more sympathetic toward Henry. Knowing Henry's family was ruined by her father might make Susan blame herself, become even more devoted to him, and resent her own father. Hannah anticipated the consequences. She realized that unless she exposed Henry's true nature, Susan would never let him go.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "I won't try to persuade you anymore."

Susan looked at her with aggrieved eyes, sensing the loss of Hannah's support.

"Then have a good life with Henry," Hannah said plainly.

Susan's eyes reddened again; she was far from reconciled. She felt deserving of universal rejection. She'd chosen Henry, yet clung to a sliver of hope for someone else. Biting her lip, a deep grief consumed her.

When she first heard of Susan's impending divorce from Manuel, Hannah had been heartbroken, fearing Susan's regret and pain. She understood, but this time, Hannah felt Susan needed a lesson.