Chapter 532

"We can only be friends," Susan said, no-nonsense.

Michael's face twisted. "Why? Is it 'cause you still want kids and I can't give you any?" That hit him right where it hurt.

"No, it's 'cause I like someone else. Oliver's dad. We might get back together," Susan said, looking him dead in the eye.

Michael's frown got deeper. "That deadbeat's back? Since when? How does he even deserve you? Susan, you don't have to pick me, but don't forget he ditched you when you were pregnant and got you kicked out. That's cold. He might act like he's changed, but a guy who can do that is bad news. He won't change. He's still a jerk, and he'll screw you over again. I'm a guy, I know this stuff! Even if he has changed, he doesn't deserve you, Susan!"

"I always think if you don't know someone, you shouldn't judge them," Susan shot back, protective of her people.

Michael pressed on, "You can tell what kind of guy he is from ditching a pregnant woman. Susan, you can't deny he hurt you, right? Can you really be with him with that hanging over you?"

Susan sighed, "I'm trying. People can't live in the past forever. What he and I went through is beyond what most people can imagine."

"How can you forget the hurt he caused you?" Michael looked crushed. "You must be nuts to choose a jerk like him. Then again, lots of women like jerks! It's not your fault; he's probably really good at lying, so you fell for it. Susan, I won't let you get played."

Susan snapped, "Michael! I'm a grown woman. I know what I'm doing and how to make my choices."

"No, you don't. Even the smartest women can get blinded by emotions, especially by jerks. Susan, trust me, we've been friends forever, I won't lie to you." Michael was practically begging her, like he was trying to stop her from jumping off a cliff.

Susan said, "Thanks for caring, but I believe in him. Our relationship isn't gonna be swayed by a few words. You might think I'm dumb, but I'm not. He's worth my love."

Michael rubbed his forehead. "I know nothing I say will change your mind. You're already under his spell. But I won't give up, Susan."

"Don't waste your time. I won't like you," Susan replied.

"How do you know if we haven't tried?" Michael asked.

"I only see you as a friend. But with him... he makes my heart race, my emotions go wild. I've loved him for the past four years, and I always will. I can't quit." She spilled her guts to Michael, stuff she couldn't say to Caleb.

Recent events had given Susan some guts.

Even though things were messy, she felt like she understood her heart better.

Michael shot back, "That's just 'cause he's good at playing you. Otherwise, how could he make you love him for four years? Susan, after all we've been through, you should know that's just fake happiness. We're not kids anymore; a fiery love will just burn you out. What we need is something stable, something that lasts, where we support each other and grow old together. I might not give you butterflies, but I can offer you a stable marriage and a reliable shoulder. You're not thinking straight, but your family is. May really hopes we can be together and supports me going after you."

"May? How's she mixed up in this again?" Susan felt a headache coming on.

"Michael..."

"Don't try to talk me out of it. I've made up my mind. Susan, I'm not giving up on you," Michael said, dead serious.

Susan felt a knot in her stomach. "If you keep this up, we can't even be friends."

"Call me stubborn. I got plenty of friends, but I'm short a wife. I'll keep trying. Good night." Michael gave a slight nod and walked away.

Susan watched him go, not saying another word. She couldn't change his mind, just like he couldn't change hers.

People are really stubborn when it comes to feelings.

She suddenly felt a pang of regret. If she had kept her distance like Caleb suggested... but how could she have known Michael's feelings back then?

Regret was pointless now.

Maybe Michael would come to his senses and give up soon. Susan really didn't want to carry emotional baggage or lose a long-time friend.

"Finish this piece of pear."

"Auntie, I really can't eat anymore."

"No, you must eat it!" May shoved the pear towards Oliver, her voice loud and commanding.

Oliver frowned. "Auntie, I had a ton of ravioli for dinner and already ate one pear. I can't eat another bite. My stomach's gonna burst." That last pear was also forced on Oliver by May.

"What? Now my words don't mean anything?" May thought irritably. 'In this house, I have no say at all. Even a kid doesn't respect me? Do I have no status?'

"Auntie..."

"Eat it!" May's tone was fierce, and Oliver, being a kid, was scared and shivered.

He moved his lips, reluctantly about to open his mouth.

"Mommy-" Oliver ran to Susan, throwing himself into her arms.

"Sweetie." Susan immediately kissed Oliver. "What's wrong? Why the long face?"

"Nothing." Oliver pouted.

"I was kindly feeding him fruit, but he didn't appreciate it. Everyone says he's obedient, but he's just pretending in front of his parents," May said coldly.

If anyone else had said that about Oliver, Susan would have argued with them. But because it was May, she held back a bit. She knew best whether Oliver was obedient or not. Saying a kid was pretending was too much.

"No, Auntie, I told you a bunch of times that I'm really full and can't eat another bite, but you insisted I eat," Oliver muttered with a bitter face.

Susan touched Oliver's round belly. It was so full.

Feeling sorry for her daughter, Susan's tone got a bit sharper, "If he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't have to. Why force him?"

"Force him? You're saying my good intentions are hurting him. It was Mom and Dad who told me to feed him the pear," May said.

"Mom and Dad would never make you force him. He's already very full."

"How was I supposed to know if he's full or not?" May replied.

"Oliver said he's full. Isn't that clear enough?"

"Sometimes kids like to lie," May retorted.

"Our Oliver doesn't lie," Susan said firmly. She wouldn't let anyone say Oliver lied.

"That's because you're his mom, of course, you believe him. Susan, don't spoil your son too much, or he'll become unruly and full of lies. Then you'll be the one in trouble," May said sarcastically.