Chapter 851 Shall We Sleep Together?

The ward felt intimate. Enchanted by Manuel's kiss, Susan remained immobile, gazing at him. Manuel, embarrassed, wondered why he'd kissed her. He'd been captivated by her charming lips and coy expression before looking away.

"Help yourself," he said, passing her food.

Susan expected him to comfort her, to ease her anxieties. Manuel's words, however, brought a sudden sense of oppression. She tried to calm herself, saying reluctantly, "I'm on a drip. It's inconvenient."

Manuel glanced at her, took a spoon, and began feeding her, blowing on the food to cool it before spooning it into her mouth. Susan wished she'd been burned, just so he'd kiss her again, but she dared not test him.

"Would you like some more?" he asked.

"No," Susan shook her head. She didn't feel like eating; her mind was only on Manuel.

"Really?"

"Yes," she nodded.

He didn't force her, instead ladling soup into her bowl and eating from it himself. Susan was surprised. "Doesn't he mind?" she thought. "He's a stickler for cleanliness. There's another bowl." She was utterly confused.

"Why are you staring at me?" Manuel asked, uneasy under her gaze.

"Why are you using my spoon and bowl?" Susan asked directly, wanting to know how he truly felt about her.

"For convenience," he replied.

His answer left her speechless with rage. She longed to clarify their relationship, to know if he still loved her, if they could start over. She felt she was going mad, having wanted to ask him several times but always swallowing her words, fearing rejection. She preferred their current ambiguous state, sighing deeply at her own timidity and cowardice.

Manuel, however, wasn't at peace. He, too, was guessing her thoughts, waiting for her to speak, but she remained silent. He finished his food and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Susan asked nervously.

"I'm asking the care worker to clear the table," he replied stiffly.

Susan's lips pinched together. Had she done something wrong? His sudden hostility bewildered her. How could he change so abruptly?

Silence fell after the care worker cleared the table. After a long while, Manuel began, "Do you want to sleep?"

"No," Susan replied. She wanted him to stay.

Manuel frowned disapprovingly.

Sensing his displeasure, she said, "I'll sleep if you don't leave."

"I said, I'll stay here," he said firmly.

"What if you leave?"

"Why aren't you willing to believe me?" he asked angrily.

"I want you to sleep here with me," Susan insisted, determined to fulfill Hannah's request, even if it annoyed him.

Manuel bit his lip, suppressing his anger.

"I'll be frightened alone," Susan added. "It's ghastly here, and I can't sleep well."

Manuel said nothing.

"This bed is just adequate for us," Susan pointed at the bed, her cheeks flushed with shyness, but her determination to complete Hannah's task overriding her embarrassment.

Manuel remained silent.

Just as Susan was about to speak again, he turned to leave. "Manuel, where are you going?" she shouted.

He seemed thunderstruck.

"Have I scared him?" she wondered. "Don't worry. I won't do anything to you," she added hastily, fearing he'd leave.

"I just want to take a shower," he said with a note of complaint, heading to the bathroom.

Lying on the bed, Susan obsessed over his words, her fantasies bringing a blush of embarrassment. She forced herself to focus, noticing her drip was running out, and rang for the nurse.

Long after, Manuel hadn't emerged, making Susan doubt he'd left secretly. She hurried to the bathroom.