Chapter 901: For Una

Manuel poured red wine over Susan, pinning her against the dining room table. The bright red liquid against her fair skin shocked him, igniting a violent sexual response. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, following the trail of wine with his kisses. Susan moaned and trembled, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

Justine returned home from an unfinished spa treatment. She planned to pack for her trip to the capital the following morning but found the kitchen in disarray. She left quickly, though she suspected what had transpired between Manuel and Susan in her absence. Susan, she mused, was perhaps the only woman who could drive her son crazy.

The next morning, Susan lay motionless in bed. Manuel, preparing to leave for the capital, roused himself. Susan felt a pang of regret at his imminent departure, a fleeting annoyance replacing her earlier passion. She wondered how, after a night of intense intimacy, he could rise so early. Susan admitted to exhaustion, having barely slept while Manuel was with her. She watched him dress, noticing the scratches and love bites on his back, and began to rationalize her own actions, reminding herself that he had taken the lead. Her thoughts drifted to the surprising tenderness of his skin, even more delicate than her own.

Manuel finished dressing and looked back at Susan, her face peeking from beneath the blankets. Her wide-eyed gaze made him hesitate.

"Are you awake?" he asked softly, surprised.

Susan pouted, glaring at him. He was the one who had deprived her of sleep and should apologize, not question her. Her throat ached from her earlier cries.

Manuel approached, kneeling to caress her face. "You must be exhausted. Get some more sleep."

Susan huffed, remembering his refusal to stop when she'd resisted him the previous night. His current solicitousness felt disingenuous. Manuel, you bastard! she thought.

"If you don't want to work today, I'll give you the day off, with pay," he said with a knowing smile.

Susan continued to glare.

"I'm accompanying my mother to the capital for Una's birthday party. I'll try to leave and be back early this evening," he explained.

Susan ignored him. He knew her sullen silence stemmed from the intensity of the previous night. He kissed her forehead. "Be good. I'll be back soon."

Susan closed her eyes, wishing him gone. Fear momentarily overshadowed her anger as she confronted the hidden wolf masquerading as a gentleman.

Manuel left reluctantly. In the lobby, Justine waited impatiently. Seeing him, she snapped, "I thought you weren't going today."

Manuel blushed. Had Justine not witnessed the kitchen scene, she might have assumed Manuel had been coerced. Even now, she believed her son deserved better, needing time to accept that he'd initiated their encounter.

"It's late, Mom. Let's go," Manuel said abruptly.

Driven by reason and the desire for a grandchild, Justine forwent detailed questioning. They left together.

In the limousine, Justine asked, "How old is Sal?"

"Almost eight months."

"Time flies," Justine sighed, a touch of sentimentality in her voice.

Manuel nodded, aware of her sadness regarding Salem Wells's fate.

In the capital, they arrived at the banquet hall, where numerous reporters and security blockades prevented unauthorized entry. Many guests were already present, showing respect for Manuel, Justine, and Oscar.

After greeting other guests, they went to the baby's room—cozy, luxurious, and soundproof. Oscar was putting Una to bed; the banquet was still some time away, allowing for a nap.

Justine resisted hugging the baby.

"Aunt Justine," a sweet voice called.

Lillian's smiling face greeted Justine, who felt no animosity, perhaps due to Cian or simple unfamiliarity.

"It's been a long flight. Aunt Justine, come sit here for a while," Lillian offered warmly, taking Justine's arm. Justine, despite disliking physical contact, didn't resist.

Sitting beside Lillian, she began, "Aunt Justine, when I last saw you, Una was barely a month old; now she's 100 days old."

"Yes, time flies," Justine agreed.

"You should come to the capital more often to see Una," Lillian urged.

"Okay, I'll visit sometime," Justine replied.

The conversation was pleasant, yet Justine didn't truly enjoy this amicable exchange with a near stranger.