Chapter 482
Carol was caught off guard by the sudden question.
She just wanted to emphasize family ties, but it struck a nerve with May, who reacted strongly.
Carol finally spoke up. "Of course, you're my daughter. Why would you ask that?"
May thought it over. She was Carol's daughter, but not by blood, so she always felt second to Susan.
Jealousy burned inside May.
She envied Susan, who came from a wealthy family with a great background.
Even though they were cousins, May's family was ordinary, even poor. She had always been jealous of Susan's pretty dresses, talents, and the praise she received.
When her parents died, Carol took her in. She wasn't sad about her parents' death; she was happy to have what Susan had.
Maurice and Carol treated her well, sending her to the same prestigious school and giving her the same piano lessons. But no matter how hard she tried, she could never match Susan in academics or music. Maurice and Carol seemed to favor Susan, even if they didn't show it. She just knew.
Over the years, May had been enduring, but her resentment grew, and she became more sensitive.
When her vulnerabilities were pricked, she would explode.
But May didn't want to make it obvious. She smiled and said, "Mom, I just want to remind you that you still have me. I'll take care of you and Dad and be a good daughter."
This didn't comfort Carol; she still felt uneasy.
"I don't want to talk right now. Let me be alone for a while."
The next day, Susan ran into Carol and May at the doctor's office.
They were a few feet apart.
"Mom..."
Carol looked at Susan with complex emotions, but in the end, she just sighed and left.
May acted like she saw a stranger, leaving without expression.
As they passed each other, Susan felt a deep sadness.
With a heavy heart, Susan returned to the ward.
"Mommy, Uncle Caleb is here," Oliver said excitedly, playing with the airplane model Caleb had given her.
Caleb noticed Susan was troubled and walked over. "What's wrong?"
Susan looked down. "I just saw my mom and May, but I didn't say hello."
"Yesterday, I wanted my mom to meet Oliver, but my dad found out and got angry again. I'm really worried about his health."
Caleb comforted her, "I've arranged for the best nurse to take care of him. He's stable for now, so don't worry too much. Also, Dr. Hubert Diaz will perform the surgery on your father tomorrow."
Susan looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Caleb."
Without her asking, he had taken care of everything. He was very thoughtful, especially now, providing her with immense support, both emotionally and for her father's health.
"I owe you more than I can ever repay, but I'll do everything I can for you," Caleb said, looking into her eyes.
In the afternoon, Oliver went home, and Caleb stayed at the hospital.
Around eight, he glanced at his phone and said reluctantly, "I have to go now."
"Okay."
Caleb had just reached the door when Susan's soft voice stopped him. "Caleb..."
He turned around immediately.
"I... I want a drink..." She rarely acted this way, but everyone needs to unwind sometimes.
Caleb's heart stirred. "But your hand..."
"My hand's healed. I'm just here for my dad. I want a drink."
Caleb, sensing she was hiding her feelings, hesitated before nodding. "Alright, I'll get some."
In less than fifteen minutes, Caleb returned with a few cans of beer and some cocktails.
They sat on the sofa, looking at the bright, full moon through the window.
"The moon is so round tonight," Susan said, smiling.
But then she thought of her family...
Her smile faded as she sipped her cocktail.
Caleb clinked his beer can with hers and took a gulp.
After a while, Susan's face turned red. She smiled. "Strange, I usually handle alcohol well. Why am I tipsy after just one can tonight?"
People get drunk easily when they're either very happy or trying to forget something.
"If you're drunk, stop drinking," Caleb advised.
Susan shook her head and opened another can of white peach-flavored cocktail. "This one tastes good."
She smiled, her eyes soft, without the usual resistance and coldness towards him.
Caleb loved seeing her smile; it was as precious as a pearl. He wished he could always make her laugh brightly, not just smile bitterly.
"Caleb, what do you think our lives would be like if we hadn't met?"
Caleb shook his head. "I never think about that."
"Just imagine. It doesn't hurt."
Caleb looked up at the moon. "I wouldn't want that. My life would have a huge regret."
"But if we hadn't met, how would you know there would be regret? If I hadn't met you, I might still be the carefree little princess of the Wilson family, become a pianist, get married, have kids, and live a conventional life."
It sounded peaceful but somewhat bland.
Life sometimes needed passion, something extraordinary.
"If I hadn't met you, you and Grace probably wouldn't have divorced."
Caleb joked, "That would be terrible."
Susan laughed. "Maybe the marriage would have been happy?"
Caleb shook his head lightly. "I don't know, but marrying her wouldn't have been for love. It would have been a marriage of convenience. Susan, if I hadn't met you, it wouldn't matter who I married. But I want you, just because of love."
He loved her.
Loved her deeply, watching himself fall hopelessly.
From this angle, Caleb could see her small earlobe, already red, a transparent pink, particularly adorable.
Caleb's thoughts became a bit muddled, and his throat started to itch. Loving someone to the extreme also involved desire. He constantly wanted to kiss her, to be closer to her, to be intimate with her.
Susan looked up, already a bit dizzy, and his burning gaze made her even dizzier.