Chapter 669: Is It Funny to Be a Two-Timer?

"I'm not going!" Susan rejected the suggestion. The thought of Manuel's attitude and her promise to Henry made it clear she needed distance from Manuel, at least for now.

"Susan, are you even listening?"

"Am I a ghost?" she retorted.

"Manuel is dying, and you won't even visit him!"

"He didn't have an accident, did he?"

"I'm done talking to you. You need to see him. If you don't go, you'll see his body tomorrow."

"What are you—"

"I'm serious!"

He hung up.

Threatened, Susan called Manuel, but he didn't answer. Panic set in. She quickly dressed, forgoing a bra, and drove to Manuel's house. She repeated to herself, He's fine, he's fine.

Arriving at his house, she frantically knocked on his door. When Manuel opened it and saw her, he paused, seemingly expecting Theodore's antidote delivery. Seeing Susan instead, he slammed the door shut.

"Manuel!" Susan pushed her way inside, her body caught in the door. She barely suppressed a scream of pain. Manuel stared at her before retreating into the house.

"What's wrong with you?" Susan, ignoring the pain, noted his flushed face. Something was very wrong. A thought struck her: Manuel had been drugged.

She recalled Theodore's earlier words, understanding why he'd sent her.

Manuel rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door. Susan hesitated. Should she knock? She knew he couldn't bear this alone; she knew the feeling. But her promise to Henry weighed heavily on her conscience.

Then, a crash from the bathroom. Terror seized her. She ran to the door and twisted the knob. Locked. She pounded on the door. "Manuel, what are you doing? Open up!"

No response.

"Manuel, open the door!" She pounded until her hands were swollen. "If you don't open this door, I'll—"

The door swung open.

Manuel's livid expression startled her. She cowered, biting her lip. As she reached for him, he pushed her away.

"Ah!" Susan screamed, hitting the door. Manuel, startled by her cry, realized he'd lost control despite trying to restrain himself.

He gritted his teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"You tell me!" Susan cried, covering her head.

Manuel clenched his fists, visibly struggling.

"What? Too good to sleep with me now?" Susan's voice rose, sharp with anger. "Before you were drugged, a phone call was all it took. Now you won't? Are you even a man?"

It was a deliberate provocation, an attempt to help him.

Manuel stared at her, desire warring with his struggle. He suddenly pulled her into a hug.

Startled, Susan felt the force of his embrace but held on. She hugged him back, leaning in to kiss him. He pushed her away again.

He examined her neck, igniting her anger. What the hell is he thinking?

Before she could speak, he said, "Is it funny to be a two-timer?"

A sharp pain pierced Susan's heart. She glared at him, seeing his struggle but his desperate restraint.

"Get out!" He ordered, turning away.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Manuel..."

"Don't touch me with hands that have touched other men. I'll feel dirty," he stated plainly.

She watched, tears falling, as he walked away, the distance between them growing.