Chapter 853: Leaving (1) Hannah’s Call for Rescue

Susan didn't know how she'd slept. Drifting off, she’d held Manuel's clothes carefully, fearing he might slip away. She awoke to his handsome face, still sleeping. The sun was high, though she didn't know the time. She studied him, wondering if he often slept late.

Her gaze lingered on his near-perfect features. As children, she hadn't initially liked him, yet his appearance had captivated her. He'd stood out among other kids. She'd even mistakenly believed him to be a taciturn, shy girl.

Impulsively, she touched his straight nose, its perfection making her wonder if he'd had surgery. Then, her fingers brushed his lips. "How can a man's lips be so soft?" she murmured. She still felt the thrill of their first kiss, a memory that ignited excitement.

"What should I do next?" she wondered, her fingers involuntarily caressing his lips, the touch sending a wave of heat through her. Loath to remove her hand, yet hesitant to kiss him, she continued stroking his lips to quell the urge.

"When do you stop?" Manuel asked, startling her.

His sudden question caused her to jerk back, her hand caught by his as she tried to retreat under the covers. His eyes opened slowly, revealing a sober gaze. "How long has he been awake? Does he know what I've been doing?" she wondered, her face burning with shame.

He looked at her, remembering last night, hearing her even breathing as he'd fought to control himself, eventually resorting to a cold bath. He'd returned to press the hem of his clothes into her hand. Theodore's words echoed in his mind: he would be tortured by Susan. It seemed true. He'd thought intimacy was impossible without her initiative, yet he'd continually compromised. He didn't remember falling asleep.

Manuel closed his eyes, then felt her intense gaze. The touch beside him continued to provoke him, the physical response undeniable, even as he suppressed his urges. Perhaps she knew, yet she acted with such freedom. The thought exasperated him.

As their eyes met, Susan's heart pounded wildly. Sustained eye contact felt unbearable, and she feared further advances might send him fleeing.

Captivated, she felt desire overwhelm reason, drawing her closer.

His heart racing, Manuel watched her approach. A single gesture from either of them could change everything. They seemed to share the same thoughts.

Tension mounted. "If he pushes me away, I'll say I was sleepwalking," she thought, ever bold with him. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes to kiss him. In the charged silence, her phone rang, startling her. She snatched it up.

After yesterday's accident, she'd kept it close, fearing she'd miss Hannah's call. Her gut feeling was confirmed; it was Hannah.

"Tell Manuel to help me!" Hannah cried.

Hannah, expecting a sleepless night before Oscar's wedding, had slept soundly and risen early. Max greeted her respectfully, seemingly trying to comfort her. She felt peaceful, unsure how to explain her calm demeanor. Reluctantly, she left him after breakfast; he'd been so genuinely kind.

"Have you ever thought of having a family?" Hannah asked abruptly.

Max's startled expression and reddening face betrayed his surprise. "I've been used to being alone."

"Doesn't Oscar allow you to marry?"

"Yes, he has," Max replied immediately. "Master Oscar asked me to marry, but I refused. I've been with the Wells family since childhood, serving Master Oscar since his birth. I only want to serve him and his children." He added, "Ms. Cooper, I'll care for the child when you give birth."