Chapter 876: Leaving the Hospital Separately

"I wonder if it will hurt when I feel your bones against the bed," Susan asked seriously.

Manuel remained silent.

"I don't know when you'll be able to eat properly. You're only having fluids; that's not nutritious enough," Susan complained.

Manuel offered no explanation. He understood his condition and was grateful to be receiving fluids.

"It's a shame you've lost your muscles," Susan said, her voice gloomy. Manuel pursed his lips, wondering if she was dissatisfied with his physique.

"But it doesn't matter," she added, brightening suddenly. "It's okay for you to be thin. I can gain weight. When I get fat, it won't hurt when I feel your bones."

Manuel thought Susan was overthinking. He knew his recovery would take at least three months, and he worried she wouldn't wait that long. Unaware of his anxieties, Susan carefully bathed him and helped him into his hospital gown. After settling him in bed, she continued to gaze at him.

The car accident had left him with facial bruises, thankfully minor and not disfiguring. However, his face was gaunt, and his hair loss revealed his well-shaped head.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Manuel felt uncomfortable under her intense scrutiny.

"Manuel," Susan asked abruptly, "Do you want to see what you look like now?"

"No," he replied, his face hardening. He could imagine how disheveled he must appear after the accident, the weight loss, surgery, and hair loss making him reluctant to face his reflection.

"Aren't you curious?" Susan's voice held a hint of disappointment; she'd expected him to be pleased with his appearance.

"No," he said coldly.

"Not even your bald head?"

"No!" he snapped. Susan pouted, puzzled by his irritability.

Seeing her expression, Manuel regretted his harshness. He pursed his lips and said softly, "Still like me?"

"What?" Susan was confused.

"Do you still like me? I'm ugly now," he murmured.

"I don't care what you look like," she replied instantly. "I'm willing to be intimate with you, but I think you're too weak right now."

Manuel was speechless. He knew better than to worry; Susan always had a unique perspective.

Hannah and Oscar, with their baby, left Manuel's ward. In the hallway, they encountered a pregnant woman they recognized immediately. Hannah, holding the baby, approached her naturally. The woman looked surprised.

"I was planning to see you. What a coincidence! Were you visiting Manuel?" she asked, her face bright and innocent.

Hannah didn't reply; Oscar simply said, "Yes."

"How is he? Is he better?" Lillian asked.

"He's better," Oscar answered. "Out of danger and receiving standard treatment."

"Thank God. I wouldn't have been happy otherwise," Lillian said earnestly.

Hannah, disliking Lillian, prepared to leave.

"Oh! Is that your baby?" Lillian exclaimed, noticing the infant. Hannah ignored her. Lillian continued excitedly, "It's wonderful to see him out of the isolette. Is he out of danger now?"

"Yes," Hannah replied curtly.

Lillian's eyes welled up, seemingly with excitement. "Thank God! I'm so glad he's well."

Hannah remained indifferent.

Lillian wiped her eyes and tentatively asked, "May I hold him?"

Hannah gave her a sharp look.

Lillian quickly explained, "Just for a moment. He's my baby's brother. I... I just... But it's okay if you don't want me to."

Hannah cursed internally, calling her a bitch. But she smiled and said, "I'll let you hold him. But you're pregnant, and your belly's large. I'm afraid you might risk miscarriage. You can hold him as much as you like after you give birth."

She emphasized the words "after you give birth."

Lillian looked apprehensive. She wondered if Hannah was implying she'd be unimportant after her own baby's birth.

"It's you and Cian's baby. We all love him. I hope you take good care of yourself," Hannah said gently, further unsettling Lillian.

"I will," Lillian replied, appearing innocent.

Hannah started to leave.

"Oscar," Lillian called out.

He stopped, though Hannah continued walking.

"I'm going back to the Capital. The doctor said I can leave, and I'm going."

Hannah, aware of the interruption, continued her departure. Oscar felt the chill in her retreating back.

"Oscar," Lillian called again.

"Theodore will take you home."

"It's fine, but..." she hesitated.

"What is it?" Oscar asked.

"On my wedding day, you left immediately after the ceremony, and the media keeps slandering my marriage," Lillian finally said, her voice trembling slightly.