Chapter 875: Susan's Love Confession

"It's getting late. My parents are checking on me, and I need to leave with the baby now," Hannah said flatly.

Manuel nodded. "Okay."

"Take care," Hannah smiled.

"I will."

Hannah took the baby from Justine. Although Justine wanted to hold him longer, she relinquished him. Hannah and Oscar then left with the baby. Justine watched their retreating backs, wistfully imagining the infant still in her arms.

"If you love babies, I'll have one," Susan blurted out, shocking Justine and Manuel. Manuel, lying in bed, nearly choked.

"It's easy to get pregnant. I got pregnant right after sleeping with Manuel. If you want a grandchild, I'll have one when Manuel gets better," Susan stated bluntly.

Manuel felt embarrassed. "Did I promise you we'd have a baby?"

Susan was speechless.

Justine smiled knowingly. "It's useless to regret now. You had a chance to have a child, but you missed it," she said, believing Susan hadn't valued the pregnancy. Justine and Manuel frequently angered Susan.

Furious, Susan demanded, "Then who else do you want to have a baby with?"

Manuel remained silent.

"Don't forget, I'm the one who gives you massages and takes care of you," Susan argued.

Manuel pressed his lips together. He knew Susan had been his constant caregiver since the accident. He'd wanted to ask her to return to the company several times but couldn't bring himself to speak when he saw her.

"I've seen you naked and touched every inch of your body," Susan added.

Manuel flushed. As a seriously ill patient, he was confined to bed and unable to shower; Susan cleaned him daily.

"Fine," Susan sneered, a hint of triumph in her voice. "Let's talk about Clara. She hasn't visited since your accident. Don't you find that sad?"

Susan was clearly stirring the pot.

"Do you know why? I think she's worried you'll be disabled and need her care for life. That's why she hasn't visited," Susan jeered, her intentions obvious. "However, don't be sad. Although I'm beautiful, pure, considerate, and rich, I want to stay with you forever. It doesn't matter if you're disabled; I won't leave you." Susan professed her love, believing her words to be deeply moving.

Justine immediately interrupted. "Don't jinx Manuel like that! Shut up. He's fine. What are you talking about?"

"It was just an example."

"Not a good one."

"Justine, be reasonable! I'm expressing my love. Don't interrupt," Susan snapped. "If Manuel refuses me, will you find me a boyfriend?"

"How dare you!" Justine fumed.

"Maybe you should go home," Susan said pointedly. "How can I get pregnant if you're here every day?"

Justine stared, speechless.

Manuel, however, smiled contentedly. As a child, he'd worried about Susan and his mother clashing, but this moment felt warm. Susan was unpredictable, always eliciting mixed emotions.

Justine remained silent, rolling her eyes dismissively.

"I'm going home to bathe," Justine announced.

"See ya," Susan said cheerfully.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You can't do anything to Manuel after I leave," Justine stated firmly.

Susan's face fell. Justine glanced at her and left, though she secretly mused about the prospect of a grandchild.

After Justine left, Susan remained unhappy. She knew she couldn't act while Manuel was weak, but she still worried about his feelings towards her once he recovered. She'd expressed her love, but he neither accepted nor rejected her. His uncertainty made her anxious.

"I want some water," Manuel said, sensing her unease.

Susan composed herself and fetched a glass of warm water. She adjusted the bed to help him sit up and carefully helped him drink. He choked slightly; Susan flinched, spilling some water. Manuel said nothing, used to her clumsiness.

"Are you okay? How do you feel?" Susan asked, worried. The doctor had warned even a cough was dangerous. But this was minor, and he appreciated her concern.

"I'm fine, but my clothes are wet," Manuel said, taking her hand.

Susan only then noticed.

"Let me change you," she offered.

"Mhm."

"I'll give you a sponge bath."

Manuel remained silent.

"The doctor said keeping you clean speeds recovery. Three times a day is best," Susan explained matter-of-factly.

Manuel remained unconvinced.

"Wait a minute," Susan said, hurrying to the bathroom. She returned with a basin of warm water, her eyes shining. Manuel knew she wasn't good at hiding her intentions.

Susan cheerfully undressed him, from shirt to trousers. Manuel swallowed. He was under a quilt, soon to be lifted for the intimate cleaning of his genitals. She used a towel, then her hand. He pressed his lips together. She looked erotic to him in that moment. What would she do next?

"Manuel," Susan said softly.

He responded, but the sound from his throat was strained.