Susie's tears fell to the floor, forming a small puddle on the tiles.
"But only after you get better," Lawrence added, his gaze fixed on her trembling back. She was crying.
He wanted to agree, but if he signed the papers now, she would drift further away from him. The fear of losing her outweighed his desire for revenge.
Any gratitude Susie felt evaporated instantly. She wiped her tears away roughly and turned to face him with hostility.
"What's the difference?"
Now or later, signing the papers would still mean the same thing.
"I don't need your pity. I am has nothing to do with you. Sign the papers now!"
"I'm not pitying you," Lawrence said quietly. He felt heartache.
He knew losing the baby was her deepest pain. She had always wanted a child.
He couldn't get past his own feelings for revenge, which was why he had been reluctant to have a child.
"Then sign," Susie demanded, her gaze cold and unwavering.
"I won't sign now," Lawrence said, stepping closer and reaching out to smooth her disheveled hair.
Slap!
Susie slapped his hand away. At the same time, Susie took a few steps back to distance herself from him.
Lawrence's mouth tightened. "Are you hurt?"
Susie looked at him coldly, her lips pressed firmly together.
Noticing she was barefoot, Lawrence stepped forward and picked her up.
"Lawrence, what are you doing? Put me down!"
Susie pounded on him in agitation, but Lawrence ignored the pain and carried her to the bed, holding her tightly.
Burying his head in her neck, he pleaded softly, "Susie, let's make up."
Susie froze, her heart stirring instinctively.
He was as gentle as ever, just like when he used to comfort her, making it hard to resist.
But how could they make up now?
He wasn't the man who loved her anymore. Perhaps he had never loved her at all.
She wasn't the one in his heart.
Between them stood their child.
And his father and her father.
They were enemies.
"Lawrence, I don't love you anymore, and you never loved me. We can't be together. Can we part on good terms?" Susie bit her lip hard, her heart heavy.
Being with him came at too high a cost. Her father nearly died, her child was gone...
Their family's company was also facing the threat of bankruptcy.
"Who says I never loved you? From the moment I met you, you've always been special. I love you. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will always love you."
Lawrence quickly refuted, rubbing his face against her neck.
"Susie, I love you. Can't you feel it? Maybe you think I'm lying now, but I can't lie to myself. I love you. Let's not break up, okay?"
His heartfelt words carried a plea.
Susie's heart wavered, her eyes lowered as she spoke bitterly, "You were with me just for revenge. You're mistaken."
A look of pain crossed Lawrence's face. This was all his own doing.
He lifted his head, cupping her face, and looked deeply into her eyes, explaining earnestly.
"I won't deny that was part of it, but later on, I was serious. I had many opportunities to get back at Morris Inc. without marrying you."
Susie looked at him, unsure whether to believe him or not.
"Stop lying to me. Rachel is the one you love!"
Hearing her somewhat petulant accusation, Lawrence laughed, pressing his forehead against hers.
So she did care about him after all!
"Silly girl, why would you think that? I deliberately made you misunderstand about me and her because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it when you found out I was targeting Morris Inc. I was intentionally avoiding you. I'm sorry!"
Susie stared at him in disbelief. He didn't seem to be lying.
"Then what about your child?" They had a child together.
Lawrence looked at her in shock, almost laughing. "What do you mean 'your child'? That child is hers, not mine!"
Seeing Susie's skepticism, he held her and sat down, explaining everything clearly.
"Rachel is the woman of a friend of mine. He saved my life... Before he passed, he asked me to take care of her. Later, Rachel got involved with another man, a con artist who abused her, almost causing her to miscarry. I brought her here after that, and you know the rest."
Susie watched him as he spoke about his deceased friend, his face filled with sorrow and guilt. It didn't seem like a lie.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
Lawrence kissed her hair, but Susie pushed him away and moved to the other side.
Lawrence sighed softly. "Everyone has their secrets. He passed away years ago. Why bring up something so sad?"
Susie pouted, staring at the bouquet on the bedside table, recalling what Shawn had told her.
Could it be that Rachel wasn't his true love?
Her cousin said he hadn't cheated.
But her cousin and Lawrence were close friends, so his words might not be trustworthy.
"She said you two were together!" Even if it wasn't true, it was clear Rachel liked him. She wasn't stupid—she could see it.
That woman had made it obvious.
Lawrence pulled her foot onto his lap. Susie flinched but was held firmly. Lawrence gently massaged her foot.
Susie watched him in astonishment, seeing his patience and care, just like he used to warm her feet when she was cold.
"Do you believe everything she says and nothing I say?" Lawrence asked, looking up at her tired face. She still hadn't fully recovered, and she needed to drink more nourishing soups.
Susie responded coldly, "Can I trust you?"
Lawrence sighed but continued to explain, "I never had a relationship with her. In high school, my friend and I both knew Rachel. I had a slight crush on her, but when they got together, I let go of those feelings."
So that's how it is!
