Chapter 499

That night, May was peeling an apple, lost in thought.

She couldn't stop thinking about Caleb's indifferent face, which oddly fascinated her. But his heart belonged to Susan.

Thinking about it made her heart ache.

Distracted, she cut her finger.

Blood started to ooze out.

"How could you be so careless?" Maurice handed her a tissue.

May, annoyed, said, "It's nothing."

She tossed the apple in the trash.

"May, I've decided. I'll go through with the surgery."

"Dad, are you sure?"

"Yes, I've always put my reputation first, and it's hurt you all. Now, I need to put you first."

"Dad, that's good to hear," May said, not meaning it.

Maurice smiled, "I've been thinking a lot in the hospital, even about Susan. Was I too harsh? She was always protected, never faced hardships. Yet, I kicked her out when she was pregnant and ignored her for four years. It makes me feel awful."

May clenched her teeth. "Dad, she got pregnant before marriage, knowing your rules. She brought it on herself. Don't feel too guilty. What's done is done."

"Yes, dwelling on it won't help. Now, I'm thinking of forgiving her and letting her come home."

Absolutely not! May thought.

But she kept her face neutral and asked, "Do you not care about what others think anymore?"

"I'm too old to care about others' opinions. If they think I'm wrong, explaining won't help. I need to think of your mom. Seeing her so depressed breaks my heart."

"Dad, let's not rush. Focus on the surgery first. We can think about forgiving her later."

"You're right. Let's focus on the surgery," Maurice nodded.

May went to the bathroom, her face twitching in the mirror.

If Susan came back, she'd be the cherished princess of the Wilson family again, with Caleb and a son. May would have nothing, just an outsider. Jealousy burned in her. She wished Susan and the Wilson family would never reconnect.

But if she didn't get close to Susan, she couldn't get close to Caleb.

She needed to find a way to keep Susan away from the Wilson family while using her to get closer to Caleb.

Morning.

"Mr. Wilson, you wanted to see me?" Caleb walked into the ward.

"Can the surgery be scheduled in the next two days?" Maurice asked.

Caleb nodded. "The soonest would be tomorrow."

"Then let's do it tomorrow. Caleb, I don't like owing favors; I'll repay you."

"I'm doing this for Susan. It's no big deal."

"Even if you don't want it, I'll repay you," Maurice insisted.

Caleb thought for a moment. "If that's the case, I hope you can forgive Susan and accept her."

Maurice was touched but remembered May's advice from last night. He knew he shouldn't rush his decision, so he said, "I don't accept such an exchange."

"This isn't an exchange, just my wish."

"Let's discuss it after the surgery. This is between us as father and daughter; you don't need to get involved."

Father and daughter?

Caleb felt a surge of joy. It seemed like reconciliation was just a matter of time.

"I'll go arrange the surgery. Please rest well."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Caleb left the ward, and May quickly approached. Despite the cold, she wore a spring floral dress, her makeup bright, and her smile ingratiating.

"Mr. Eilish, my dad decided to go through with the surgery, right?"

Caleb nodded.

"That's great, all my efforts to persuade him paid off," May subtly took credit.

"Thank you," Caleb said and walked away.

"Mr. Eilish," May called out, cautiously asking, "Do you dislike me?"

"If you don't say anything, it means you dislike me. Is it because I troubled you that night?"

"No," Caleb didn't mind small troubles; he disliked May's scheming and hypocrisy. He needed to keep his distance, especially since she was Susan's sister.

"Then why? You seem so cold to me."

"I'm like this with everyone, don't take it personally."

"But I hope you can treat me a little differently..." May bit her lip. "Even for Susan's sake, she loves me and would want us to get along."

May was cunning, using Susan as an excuse. Caleb disliked her even more.

"Just get along normally, there's no need for more."

"You do dislike me. If I've done something wrong, please tell me, and I'll change."

"No, I don't care how you behave; I only care about Susan," Caleb said bluntly. "I care about her feelings, even the slightest ones. I'm very concerned about everything about her."

May felt a surge of jealousy, wanting to lash out at Susan.

But what could she do? Could she confess her love for Caleb right there?

She couldn't.

She forced a smile. "From the way you look at her, I can see how deep your feelings are. I really envy Susan for having such a good boyfriend like you. If it were me, I would cherish it. Why can't I meet someone like you? Is my fate destined to be worse than hers, unworthy of happiness?"

Caleb thought it had nothing to do with him whether she was worthy or not, and he didn't care.

Having said enough, Caleb didn't want to continue.

"Mr. Eilish, since we're both Susan's family, she would want us to get along well. So, no matter what I've done wrong before, please bear with me. Let's start over, okay? I hope you can accept me, even if it's for Susan."

Facing her gentle yet humble request, Caleb coldly replied, "Don't think too much."

May stared at Caleb's back, feeling frustrated. All her efforts seemed in vain.

Did he know she persuaded her dad to have the surgery at the risk of not getting the will? Otherwise, she would have wished her dad to die sooner.

She sacrificed so much for him, yet he was still so cold to her. Did he love Susan that much?

May was filled with anger.

But she didn't blame him; she blamed Susan. It was Susan who occupied his heart first, leaving no room for her, making him so cold to her.

She swore to win his heart, no matter what.