Chapter 845: Say Goodbye to Susan

Hannah didn't linger. She closed the door and left. What was gone, was gone.

Around 7 PM, Susan arrived.

"I hope I haven't kept you waiting," Susan apologized. She'd planned to leave immediately after finishing project coordination, but Manuel's unexpected arrival had delayed her. The delay annoyed her; she'd been eager to see Hannah. Manuel, however, always intimidated her.

"It's okay," Hannah replied with a smile. "I had nothing else to do."

Susan knew it didn't matter to Hannah, but she felt compelled to apologize. She sensed Hannah's weariness and hoped to offer some respite.

"Come on, wash up, dinner's ready," Hannah said, wanting to alleviate Susan's concern.

Susan nodded and went to the bathroom. Emerging, she saw Hannah waving from the table. They sat down and began to eat.

Despite Max's delicious cooking, Susan had little appetite. She silently watched Hannah dine, a wave of sadness washing over her. "Hannah," she said softly, "have you been eating alone lately?"

"Yeah," Hannah answered casually.

"Don't you feel lonely?"

"I've gotten used to it."

"I don't know why… I just feel like crying," Susan admitted, tears welling in her eyes.

A pang of heartache struck Hannah. Was it because Susan sensed her impending departure? Maintaining composure, she changed the subject. "Did Manuel scold you again? You seem rather emotional today."

"I'm tired of his criticism—he's so fastidious! What a psycho!" Susan exclaimed, her annoyance evident.

Hannah was speechless.

"I just feel sad seeing you today," Susan reiterated.

"Is it because I look awful?" Hannah joked.

"Nonsense! You're the prettiest girl in the world! Even if you gained tons of weight, I wouldn't change my mind!" Susan insisted.

"Is that a compliment?" Hannah asked wryly.

Susan, noticing Hannah seemed more content than she expected, smiled. "Of course, it is. You're the prettiest girl I've ever met. I mean it."

Hannah smiled, but a sadness crept in; she knew this might be their last meeting. "Hannah," Susan asked abruptly, "when's your due date?" The size of Hannah's belly suggested imminent childbirth.

"About a month," Hannah replied noncommittally, omitting the exact date, as Susan might have left the country by then.

"Will Oscar be back then?" Susan murmured, then, her voice sharp with anger, added, "I can't believe that bastard's getting married again in ten days! I want to tear him apart!"

Hannah smiled. She no longer harbored much resentment towards Oscar; perhaps her feelings had simply faded. She admired Susan's forthrightness, though.

"Hannah, are you okay?" Susan asked, her earlier energy replaced by sadness.

"I'm fine. I've gotten used to it. I don't resent him that much. I understand his situation."

"You understand?" Susan was incredulous, wondering if Hannah's love for Oscar had blinded her.

"No, it's not love. I can judge impartially now that my feelings for him are gone. Only then could I objectively assess his choice."

"I still can't understand," Susan confessed, unable to relate to Hannah's perspective. "Living with him…aren't you resentful?" she asked sympathetically.

"Yes, I am," Hannah admitted frankly, surprising Susan, who had expected a perfunctory denial.

"Hannah…"

"I have something else to tell you after dinner," Hannah said, remaining alert despite Max's absence.

"Okay…Hey, if Oscar can't be there for your delivery, I will be," Susan offered.

Touched, Hannah grinned, tears of happiness in her eyes. Susan always knew how to comfort her. Susan panicked at the sight of Hannah's tears. "Hey, I didn't mean he won't be there. Stop crying! Your tears are freaking me out…"

As she spoke, Susan felt tears welling up as well.

Hannah composed herself. "No, it wasn't about Oscar." She no longer cried over Oscar. "I'm just so lucky to have you as a friend. Because of you, I still have hope."

Susan was her most cherished friend.

"I feel the same, even with Manuel constantly criticizing me," Susan said, wiping her tears, noticing Hannah's calmness. "Hannah, you know, I feel like I've been reborn from a catastrophe. The kidnapping made me truly fear death. Now I cherish life so much more. It's like… I was brought back from the dead, and I feel like I'm stealing this life. That's why I treasure every moment."

"Me too," Hannah nodded.

Whenever she faced devastation, a voice within urged her to cherish the chance to rebuild her life. She would not fail the blessing of her fate.