Chapter 913: Salem's First Birthday Party

Susan chatted with her secretary for a while, the conversation concluding with the secretary's well-wishing, "Wishing you a good pregnancy." Damn, she wanted a good pregnancy, but someone was too stingy with benefits.

Susan lay back down, drifting to sleep. Hunger had initially kept her awake, but drowsiness overcame her. Just as she was dozing off, she felt a kiss. Waking abruptly, she saw Manuel on top of her.

"Manuel!" she exclaimed, stopping him.

He smiled. "Looks like kisses work."

"What works?" Susan pulled her clothes around her.

"You're awake now," he replied.

What a way to wake someone! It terrified her.

"Get up and eat some porridge," Manuel said, rolling off her.

Susan breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wasn't too forceful.

Manuel brought the porridge, spooning some near her mouth. "Eat."

Looking at him suspiciously, she asked, "You're feeding me?"

"Don't you like it?"

"Sudden happiness makes me afraid you'll take advantage of me," Susan said seriously. "Do you want to feed me until I'm full, then eat me?"

Manuel was speechless. "I don't always do that."

"Hmm?" Susan questioned.

"I need rest too," he explained. Men were different from women, after all.

Susan sneered; his words were ultimately meaningless. Nevertheless, she accepted his kindness. They shared the porridge from the same spoon. Happy days tasted sweeter than honey.

However, some families rejoiced while others worried. Hannah, watching Clara's news broadcast, felt a strange familiarity. Though they'd never met, Susan's frequent complaints had created a sense of knowing. Clara's sudden scandal felt karmic, and her downfall was, at least, good news for Susan—one less time bomb.

Just as a sense of relief settled, Oscar's message arrived, a bittersweet feeling. Happiness bloomed, then wilted. The message read: "Do you want to come to the Capital?"

Had his night with Lillian spurred guilt? Why hadn't he asked her before?

Hannah replied, "No. Sal has been having a bad cold lately, and I'm taking care of him." Her unspoken reply: "You felt guilty the first time. After a few more times, it would become routine."

Silence followed, then another message: "How is Sal doing?"

"The doctor said he just has a little cold and will get better in a few days. But when Sal isn't feeling well, he only wants me around; my mom or nanny can't replace me. If I leave now, he'll cry non-stop," she explained calmly.

"Okay. Take care. Thank you," Oscar replied.

Hannah didn't respond; excuses were plentiful.

Oscar waited, receiving no further messages. He'd summoned the courage to invite Hannah to the Capital. He couldn't return home; Rowan was poised for action, leaving him perpetually vigilant. Her visit was his only chance to see her; perhaps their last.

He leaned back in his office chair, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the sprawling capital. He was tired. He was never meant to be the Wells heir. It wasn't him, not from the start.

Time flew. Salem, once critically ill, turned one. He walked, talked, and brought joy.

Susan called early on his birthday. "How are we going to celebrate my godson's birthday today?"

Hannah replied, "Haven't thought about it yet? Let's just buy a cake and celebrate with the family. Then let Salem make a wish."

"Don't tell me you didn't think about it," Susan said more forcefully.

Manuel, brushing his teeth, heard Susan's loud voice. Hadn't she called enough last night?

"Come over tonight with Manuel. I'll have my mom prepare some dishes," Hannah said calmly.

"That's it?" Susan sounded dissatisfied.

"Salem has a special identity; you know he can't be too publicized. But for him, as long as we accompany him, and his super cute godmother is there, he will be very happy," Hannah explained.

"Although I'm flattered you think I'm super cute, and my mood is great because of that compliment," Susan said sarcastically, "every time I think of that jerk, Oscar Wells, it makes me angry! How did I persuade you back then? When did you ask him to destroy your marriage after crashing into his car? Didn't I say how much of an asshole he was?! Look at what happened now! Wasn't my intuition spot on?"

"Yes, you're right," Hannah agreed, flattering her. "You have the best judgment when it comes to people; otherwise, how could you end up with the best man in this world under your arm?"

"Well said," Susan beamed, then sobered. "Is Oscar coming back to Kensbury today?"

"He won't come back," Hannah answered truthfully.

"How much worse can Oscar get?! He hasn't come back for so long without seeing you or Salem! If he doesn't care about both of you anymore, why does he still bother pestering you?! He was so greedy and despicable!" Susan fumed.

"He has many things on his plate right now."

"Busy showing affection towards another woman or taking care of his precious daughter?" Susan mocked bitterly.

Hannah couldn't always win against her friend's sharp tongue; Susan wasn't entirely wrong. Recent news reports depicted Oscar's idyllic family life with his three children. He hadn't been back to Kensbury since Una Wells' birth. After she refused his message, he never mentioned it again. She wondered if Oscar had finally compromised.