Chapter 749: Henry's Tragic Ending
Emily hesitated. If she called the police, Henry's revenge would be thwarted. She couldn't bear the thought of his devastation. But if she didn't, Manuel would soon be unable to hold on, and both Susan and Henry would fall.
"Call the police!" Manuel urged, his strength waning. He knew his limits; he couldn't support them both. Even if he could, Henry's resistance would jeopardize their survival.
Tears streamed down Emily's face. Heartbroken and conflicted, she finally dialed. Henry's life was paramount.
Henry knew. Below, he frantically shook Susan, his agitation evident. Manuel's grip nearly slipped, loosened by Henry's struggle. Susan, terrified, was speechless. Sweat slicked their hands, making their precarious hold even more tenuous. Manuel dared not speak, fearing he would lose his strength. The wind howled around them.
Minutes stretched into an eternity as Emily contacted the police. Then, Susan felt warm liquid on her face and arms—Manuel's blood. His hastily bandaged wound, from the night before, had reopened.
"Manuel!" Susan cried, her voice laced with anxiety. "What's happening?"
He remained silent. Suddenly, with a crash, Susan's body lurched. The aging guardrail, unable to bear their weight, was bending. This dilapidated building, slated for demolition, threatened to claim all three of their lives.
"Let go, Manuel!" Susan screamed.
Feeling the rail give way, Manuel didn't relinquish his hold. Instead, he asked Emily, "When will the police arrive?"
Emily frantically dialed, but time was running out. The railing couldn't hold much longer. Tears flowed down Susan's face. "Let go, Manuel," she pleaded, "you don't have to risk your life for me."
Manuel held on, the guardrail groaning under their weight. Susan's desperation intensified. "I deserve to die," she sobbed, "but you don't."
"Manuel, please, let go," she begged, her grip loosening. As her strength failed, she and Henry began to slide.
Henry, consumed by hatred, initially wished to die with Susan. But then, the image of her, innocent and unaware of his vengeful plot, flooded his mind. It was her father, Edward, who had wronged him. Edward, Henry reasoned, would do anything for Susan; if he didn't die, Susan would—and he wouldn't survive her loss. His revenge depended on Edward's obedience. As for Susan, he'd never truly decided whether to kill her; he wasn't that callous.
These thoughts swirled, then subsided. He saw Manuel's bloodied, strained face, his blood draining away. Perhaps, Henry thought, Manuel's love for Susan was enough.
As he was about to release his hold, Manuel gasped, "I'm sorry, Susan, I can't hold on..."
Susan nodded wildly. She didn't want him to die with her. She felt her life slipping away.
Then, Henry's voice: "Farewell, Susan."
The finality of it struck her. He released her ankle. Simultaneously, Manuel's quick reflexes snatched her back from the brink, his teeth clenched, his body straining.
The railing collapsed with a thunderous crash. Her eyes, brimming with tears, fixed upon Henry, lying lifeless on the ground below. He had let her go.
She hated him for the ordeal, yet at the moment of his death, agony consumed her. He, too, had been a victim.
Through her tears, she saw Manuel's ferocious fight for her life, pulling her back from the edge. They barely caught their breath before a woman landed beside them.