Chapter 661: Turn Down the Proposal

Susan entered her home, changing her shoes. Several home-cooked dishes sat on the table, appealing both to the eye and nose.

"I'm ladling out the soup," Henry called from the kitchen. "Wash your hands, and we'll have dinner." His tone suggested a long-married couple's ease.

Susan nodded silently, changed into her pajamas, and washed up. Emerging from the bathroom, she found Henry waiting at the table. He pulled out her chair with a gentlemanly flourish, and she sat down without speaking. He served her soup immediately, his attentiveness making her uncomfortable.

"You should eat too, Henry," Susan said.

He smiled. "Okay," and began eating.

Susan ate silently.

"Is it good?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded. She hadn't tasted home-cooked food in a long time and was tired of takeout. These dishes were a welcome change.

"I'm not sure if I'm still any good at cooking," Henry murmured. "Haven't done it in ages."

"It tastes good," Susan complimented him.

"I can cook for you more often if you like."

Susan paused. "No, thank you. I don't want to take up your free time."

"My little fool," Henry said, his smile doting. "I'm sorry I haven't spent enough time with you, but that will change!"

Susan started to speak, but he interrupted. "Come on, eat up. You look thin these days."

Susan pursed her lips and ate in silence.

After dinner, Henry offered to wash the dishes, then peeled some fruit for her and settled on the sofa to watch television. By 10 p.m., he still showed no sign of leaving. Susan finally mustered her courage.

"Henry, it's getting late, and we have to work tomorrow. I think you should go home."

"Well... could I stay?" he asked, unexpectedly.

Susan's heart pounded. She felt flustered.

"We've been dating for a while, but we're still at first base," Henry said with a smile that made it hard for her to refuse him. She remembered her desire to be intimate with him before marrying Manuel, and even after her divorce. Now, however, she had no such inclination.

His smile faltered at her silence, her rejection undisguised. Trying to mask his feelings, he knelt, producing a delicate diamond ring from his pocket. It sparkled in the lamplight.

"I've imagined many romantic ways to propose," he said, "but I decided to show my love simply. Marry me, Susan. I promise to care for you and love you always."

Seeing him kneel and the ring gleaming, Susan felt only inner resistance. His proposal, once anticipated with longing, now felt burdensome. A long silence stretched between them. Finally, she spoke.

"I'm sorry, Henry. I need some time to think about it."

Seeing his obvious disappointment, she knew how much her rejection hurt him, but she couldn't deceive herself. She couldn't marry him, not now.

"How long?" he asked gently.

Susan shook her head. "I'm not sure." She wasn't sure if she'd ever want to marry him, but certainly not now.

"A month?" he asked.

Tears welled in his eyes. She hesitated, reluctant to hurt him, but also herself. She bit her lip.

"I'll give you a month," he sobbed. "Can I have an answer then?"

It was the first time she'd seen him cry. Tears streamed down her own face. She wasn't sure whose sadness she felt more keenly—his or her own.

"Don't cry, honey," he said, pained by her tears. "It hurts me to see you cry."

"I'm sorry, Henry."

"Hush, dear. You don't need to apologize." He stood, gathering her into his arms.

Susan wept against his chest. After a while, she pushed him away. They wiped their tears, their eyes red-rimmed.

He smiled. "Look at you, a crybaby."

Susan smiled back. "Time to go home, Henry."

His hand paused mid-wipe. She was still rejecting him, not swayed as he’d hoped. But he couldn't rush; he still needed her sympathy.

"All right," he said.

Susan felt a measure of relief, though facing him remained difficult.

"But promise you won't cry after I leave," he said, his eyes full of concern.

Susan nodded.

Henry left. His face hardened as he stepped into the elevator. The rejection, while expected, still stung. Yet, his primary goal had been to gauge her feelings. She hadn’t accepted, but hadn't definitively refused. Hope remained. Next time, he would make it impossible for her to say no. Susan would be his, now and forever. Manuel would never have her.