Chapter 530

Park.

The place was way out there, and besides the occasional walker, it was pretty much a ghost town.

Susan was chillin' on a bench, nibbling on her sandwich.

The air had a bit of a nip to it, and she felt more clear-headed, not as jittery as before.

Caleb's suit jacket was draped over her shoulders.

Susan murmured, "Thanks."

Halfway through her sandwich, Susan couldn't help but blurt out, "Caleb, do you really think there's something going on between me and Michael?"

Caleb frowned and shot back, "Hell no. Thinking that would be an insult to myself; I'm way better than that jerk."

Susan grinned. "Then why are you so worked up?"

Caleb replied, "You might not be into him, but that dude's definitely into you. Any guy would lose his cool seeing the girl he likes hanging out with a dude who's hitting on her. Watching you three having a blast at the Wilson Villa, of course, I was pissed."

"The Wilson Villa? How'd you see that?"

Caleb hadn't planned to spill, but since she asked, he came clean, "That day, May took a video call from you and showed me you guys planting flowers in the garden."

"May? Why would she do that? But she didn't tell me," Susan said, then answered herself, "Maybe she forgot."

But why were there no chat records? There was only one reason: May had deleted them.

Susan got even more confused.

Caleb added, "Not only did she show me, but she also said you and Michael were super tight, like really close."

"May said that on purpose? But why would she say that to you?"

"What do you think?" Caleb asked.

Susan thought for a sec and then said, "Maybe she was just worried about me, thinking you're not reliable and that Michael's more dependable. May's my sister; whatever she does, it's gotta be for my good."

Caleb shook his head. "You're usually so sharp, but when it comes to your family, your emotional IQ drops to zero."

Susan asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Never mind, I'll handle it," Caleb sighed, patting her head.

Susan looked confused, but she trusted him so much that she didn't push it.

She responded lightly, "Go ahead and keep it from me then."

Susan licked her lips, a move that made Caleb's heart race.

"From now on, don't lick your lips in front of other guys, got it?" Caleb suddenly said.

Susan looked at him, baffled. "Why'd you say that out of nowhere?"

"Weren't you just licking your lips in front of that creep? I saw it all."

"You mean Michael? He told me I had cream on my lips, so I licked it off," Susan said, both annoyed and amused. "I can't just walk around with cream on my face."

"He did it on purpose to make you lick!"

Susan shot back, "You're being ridiculous; that's a super narrow-minded thought."

"I'm narrow-minded? You think Michael's a gentleman?" She had it all wrong. Michael was definitely a scoundrel, while he was the gentleman.

"Michael's been my friend for years; I know his character really well."

"Oh, do you know he's divorced?" Caleb asked.

Caleb's words left Susan momentarily stunned.

"Divorced?"

"From your reaction, it's clear he didn't tell you. He got divorced two years ago and has no kids," Caleb added.

"How do you know? Are you snooping on my friends?" Susan frowned.

Caleb explained, "I'm just trying to keep you from getting played. You believe everything he says. The point is, he straight-up hid his divorce."

Susan was surprised but didn't think it was a big deal, so she shrugged it off.

Susan replied, "Divorce isn't exactly something to brag about; it's understandable he didn't want to bring it up."

Caleb was stunned for a few seconds. He realized Susan had super low standards for others but was incredibly demanding of him.

"He's lying to you!" Caleb shouted.

"It's not really lying; he just didn't mention it," Susan said casually. In her view, Michael, though a good friend, was still an outsider. She rarely got emotional over other people's matters because it was their life, and she couldn't and didn't want to interfere.

Caleb said, "He deliberately hid it. Don't you get why? You've had plenty of guys after you; you should be able to tell if Michael is being too friendly. The fact that he took you to that event today is already sketchy."

Susan shot back, "I admit he often seeks me out, but he's never crossed the line of friendship."

"That's because he hasn't had the chance yet, not because he wouldn't," Caleb said angrily, "He hasn't had the chance to make a move."

"Don't make my friend out to be a wolf," Susan said, annoyed.

Caleb retorted, "He is one. Pretending to be married to lower your guard is no different from pretending to be gay to befriend you. No, it's even more shady!"

"He never said he liked me; maybe you're misunderstanding," Susan added.

"I'm not misunderstanding. Men have instincts too, and mine are usually spot on."

Susan shook her head. "I don't know if your instincts are accurate, but you're definitely being petty. Anyway, I only see Michael as a friend."

"So you'll keep seeing him?" Caleb asked.

"Yes. But only as a friend. If he really has other feelings for me, like you say, then I'll shut him down."

Caleb wanted to say she didn't need to see Michael anymore, but since Susan had already said this, he felt it would be too pushy, so he bit his tongue.

Susan continued, "I've made my stance very clear, and it won't change. It's getting late; let's head back."

As she stood up, Caleb pulled her into his arms.

Susan was stunned.

In that moment, her heart skipped a beat.

"Susan, I love you. From four years ago until now, it hasn't changed at all, only grown deeper. Every day it increases. I know I'm suspicious and jealous, and I often put pressure on you. I'll control it, I promise. Let's stop arguing, okay?" His deep voice, every word, melted Susan's resolve, her heart turning to mush.

"I never want to argue with you," she sighed.

"I know, it's my fault for being unreasonable, for pushing you too hard. But your attitude towards me is always so mixed. Sometimes I'm sure you love me, and other times I'm worried that because of our backgrounds, or the issues from four years ago, you won't accept me. My emotions are all over the place, completely controlled by you. Love is really torturous. Please, don't torture me anymore, okay? If I'm willing to change, to temper my sharpness and temper, can you forgive my past behavior? Let's make up, okay?" Caleb held her shoulders, looking at her with a pleading expression that reminded Susan of a pitiful little puppy.

It was hard to imagine a 6-foot-tall guy showing such a pitiful expression, as if he were easily hurt.