"Go take a shower!" Manuel said.

Susan felt nervous. What was Manuel up to? The memory of last night sent shivers down her spine, but she went to the bathroom and showered. While showering, she devised excuses to avoid him later. He had returned early, showered himself, and was waiting for her in bed. A sense of foreboding washed over her.

She spent a considerable time showering, then changed into a modest nightgown and slowly approached the bed. Manuel rose as she drew near.

"What are you going to do?" Susan asked, flustered.

Manuel frowned slightly, sensing her apprehension. He picked up a glass of water and offered it to her.

Susan looked at the water, then at Manuel's innocent expression. Was she overreacting? She smiled. "How did you know I was thirsty?"

Manuel chuckled and handed her a white pill. Despite his charming smile, something felt amiss. Because of Clara, she eyed the water suspiciously.

"What's this?" Susan frowned. "Sobriety pills?!" She thought, I haven't been drinking, and I don't smell of alcohol.

"The emergency contraceptive pill," Manuel replied.

Susan nearly choked on her water, coughing irritably. Manuel patted her back. Once she recovered, she asked, "Manuel, why are you giving me this?"

"I wasn't expecting it last night," he said with self-reproach, "so I didn't prepare. I checked with the pharmacy; this is the best option with minimal side effects. I'll be more careful in the future."

"Pay attention to what?" Susan snapped. "I'm supposed to be having your baby!"

Manuel's lips tightened.

"And you're thinking about ending a life," Susan huffed.

"There's no rush to have a baby," Manuel said.

"Who says there's no hurry? I'm in a hurry!" Susan exclaimed. "I want to have it now, give birth tomorrow!"

Manuel remained silent, his reaction deeply hurting Susan. She had assumed he, like her, longed to quickly replace their previous miscarriage. Clearly, he didn't want a child at all. Did he just want a casual relationship?

Tears welled in her eyes. She had envisioned marriage, a simple ceremony even. She considered herself married to Manuel. The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became.

"Do you want a child?" Manuel asked, seeing her distress.

"If you don't want it, forget it," Susan retorted.

"I want it, but later," he clarified.

Susan remained angry.

"I don't want to share you now," Manuel admitted, finally voicing his unspoken fear of her overthinking.

"Share me?" Susan frowned, understanding dawning on her.

She looked at Manuel, who blushed. He was coy, yet wildly different in bed. A grim smile played on her lips. "So, Manuel, you just want to have sex with me."

"...Mhm," he conceded.

His blunt honesty stunned her. She worried about hurting him if she refused. Damn it, he was so manipulative.

Susan took the pill. Manuel looked surprised, then smiled.

"Is half a year enough for you?" she asked, proposing they begin trying for a baby in six months.

He nodded. She understood; abstinence would be torture for him. But she hadn't anticipated his desire for sex outweighing his desire for a child. He was taciturn, yet a whirlwind in bed.

"Go to bed then," Manuel said, taking the glass from her hand. Her hand trembled. She had forgotten her plan to avoid him; after last night, getting up would be impossible.

She watched as he set down the glass, dimmed the lights, and embraced her.

"We're not going to have sex tonight, right?" Susan asked, trembling.

"What do you think?" Manuel smiled mischievously.

"..."

Susan felt a familiar resignation wash over her. She would always compromise with Manuel.

In the capital, Oscar put Una to sleep while Lillian watched from outside the room. The nannies cared for Una at night as Lillian couldn't produce enough milk; Una had been weaned onto formula in under three months.

Lillian watched as Oscar gently placed Una in her crib. His tenderness toward Una created the illusion she was his real daughter—a fantasy Lillian embraced. Her feelings deepened.

Her father's words from the party echoed, a warning against Oscar's deception.

Oscar settled Una, tucked her in, and left.

"Una asleep?" Lillian asked.

"Mhm," Oscar replied.

"She's so dependent on you; she won't sleep unless you hold her," Lillian smiled.

Oscar nodded. He always maintained a distant demeanor with Lillian.

"Oscar," Lillian called out as he started to leave.

He paused.

"Can I have a drink with you?" she asked.

Oscar looked at her.

"Today is Una's 100th day, and it's also Cian's birthday."

Oscar swallowed hard. Una's 100th-day celebration coincided with Cian's birthday.