Chapter 479
"You don't need to be over 6 feet tall," Susan grumbled, feeling tiny next to him, even in heels.
"Every time I talk to you, my neck hurts from looking up."
"Okay, I'll look down from now on."
"That doesn't help. You're still too tall."
Caleb chuckled. "Should I bend down then?"
"No, that makes me look even shorter."
"You're perfect the way you are."
"I'm 5'7". That's tall for a woman."
When they first met, his height was one of the things she liked. She loved wearing heels, making her about 5'9". Other guys felt intimidated, but next to him, she felt petite.
She used to adore him, even though she complained now. Back then, Caleb was like a fairy tale prince-tall, handsome, kind, and rich. She was head over heels.
Four years later, Caleb hadn't aged; he just got more mature and manly.
He was even more attractive now.
"You're perfect," Caleb said, looking deeply into her eyes.
Susan quickly looked away from his captivating gaze.
"Your smile is beautiful."
"I wasn't smiling," she denied. Smiling at him? No way.
"You just did," Caleb murmured, "so gentle and shy."
"Stop it," Susan said, feeling embarrassed.
"Oliver went home. You might feel lonely in the hospital. Want me to stay tonight? Just stay, nothing else."
Susan felt both shy and annoyed. "What else do you want to do?"
"I do want to, but I'll respect you."
Susan was speechless. Should she thank him for that?
"I don't need you causing trouble. Go wherever you want."
"I just want to stay here."
Susan didn't know how to respond to his shamelessness.
In the end, she kicked Caleb out of the hospital. But her mood wasn't as gloomy. It felt like a couple's spat and then making up.
This shouldn't be happening.
In the morning, Susan woke up early and saw the sun shining. It was a beautiful spring day, so she decided to go downstairs and soak up some sun.
She walked down to the third floor.
Her steps halted.
In front of her, a woman in her fifties was pushing an elderly man in his sixties with white hair.
Susan froze.
"Dad, Mom..." Her voice trembled.
It had been four years since she last saw them, a time that felt like forever.
"Susan..." Tears filled her mom's eyes.
"Mom, Dad..." Susan looked at her father with heartache. He had aged so much, his hair completely white, and his face full of wrinkles. Her father, once the most handsome man in her eyes, was now an old man.
Was it because of her that he aged so quickly in just four years?
Susan felt guilty, her throat tight like she had swallowed a lemon.
"Dad, are you sick?" His complexion was poor, and he was in a wheelchair.
"Your dad..."
Susan's mom, Carol Perry, started to speak when her father, Maurice Wilson, interrupted sternly, "Don't talk to a stranger."
Stranger.
Susan's heart felt like it was being pricked by needles.
Four years ago, Maurice cut ties with Susan. To him, she was just a stranger now.
"Maurice, you're in bad shape. Let Susan..."
"I only have one daughter, May Wilson. I don't have a daughter who breaks up families by seducing married men."
Susan's eyes stung.
She knew she was at fault. Her father, a respected educator, had his reputation tarnished because of her. She felt unworthy and deeply ashamed.
"I'm sorry, Dad..."
"Don't call me Dad. I can't bear it," Maurice snapped. "Let's go."
"Maurice..."
When Carol didn't move, Maurice started wheeling himself away.
"Dad..." Susan choked out.
"Mr. Wilson, please wait."
A tall figure descended the stairs. Caleb, looking sharp in a suit, exuded an imposing presence but had a gentle gaze as he placed a hand on Susan's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Susan quickly pulled away, avoiding Maurice's eyes.
"Mr. Wilson, I'm Caleb."
"I know who you are," Maurice said coldly, glaring at him.
Caleb was the man who had ruined his daughter.
"It was my fault for hiding my engagement from Susan. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Susan is innocent."
"Caleb, you're not part of the Wilson family. I can only control my daughter. She was at fault too. I've lived with integrity and won't accept a morally corrupt daughter. That's the Wilson family rule, so don't meddle."
"Susan's problems are my problems. The responsibility was mine. Mr. Wilson, please understand the truth and don't wrongly blame Susan. She was a victim too."
"I'm now divorced and pursuing Susan. I want to give her and our child a proper status."
"Mr. Eilish, are you unaware of your own notorious reputation?" Maurice scoffed. He despised the man who had ruined his daughter but couldn't bring himself to curse in public.
"Why should being pursued by you be an honor?"
"You cheated, abused your wife, and mistreated your daughter. Any woman with you is cursed."
"Mr. Wilson, your criticism is fair. I've made mistakes, but I never committed domestic violence."
Maurice waved dismissively. "I don't care about the truth. Whether you did it or not is none of my business. Your matters..." Maurice glanced at Susan, her eyes pleading like a child seeking forgiveness. His heart ached, and he looked away.
"You handle it yourselves. It has nothing to do with me."
"Maurice..." Carol had missed Susan for years and knew she had struggled. She hadn't dared to visit her secretly. Seeing Susan so worn out now broke her heart.
"Let's go."
"Maurice..."
"If you don't go, I will."
Carol looked at Susan helplessly and had no choice but to follow Maurice.
Susan took a deep breath and wiped her eyes.
"Are you... okay?"