Chapter 573

Lunchtime.

Susan and her assistant strolled out of the elevator together.

"Hey, Ms. Wilson, did you and your boyfriend have a blowout or something? Yesterday you were all sunshine and rainbows, but today you look like you got hit by a truck. Didn't catch any Z's last night? Those dark circles are no joke."

"Nah." Susan couldn't muster the energy to chat.

When she's in a good mood, she can banter with her assistant, but when she's not, she just wants to shut down.

"Love's a rollercoaster, right? One day it's all sweet, the next it's a mess. That's what makes it spicy and unforgettable," the assistant said, all confident.

That's not even close, okay?

All morning, Susan didn't have a second to think about Caleb; she was too busy stressing that Grace might pop up and cause a scene at the office.

Grace had said yesterday she'd keep hunting her down, so she was definitely coming. This had Susan on edge all morning, feeling like a paranoid wreck.

Being this jittery, she couldn't focus on work at all, and her productivity was in the toilet.

"Ms. Wilson, Ms. Wilson?" "Huh?"

"You're zoning out again."

"Let's eat, zip it."

"You usually have me grab your lunch. It's rare for you to come down and eat. What's with the sudden change today?" the assistant teased.

That was because her work efficiency was high before, so she used her lunchtime to work as well. But now, with her productivity tanking, staying in the office was just frustrating, so she might as well come out for some fresh air.

Susan just ordered a veggie salad.

"On a diet? No way, you're already skinny enough." The assistant's plate was loaded with meat, and she plopped two ribs on Susan's plate.

Since Susan got pregnant, she preferred munching on veggies. Even if she needed to eat meat, she'd boil it, not wanting to touch these greasy dishes.

"No, thanks. You eat 'em."

Before she could take a bite, Grace suddenly barged into the restaurant, "Susan."

Susan freaked and almost knocked over her plate.

"Isn't she the chick who was calling you yesterday?"

"Susan, Susan, I'm begging you." Grace rushed over and was about to drop to her knees, "Give me back my kid, give me back Candy, please, Susan."

Dozens of eyes were on them, making Susan even more embarrassed. She quickly dragged Grace out of the restaurant.

"Grace, are you doing this on purpose?"

"No, I'm not. I'm just desperate. I can only beg you, Susan, please help me."

"I told you I wouldn't help you."

"Don't be so heartless, okay? You're a mom too; you get how I feel. Susan." Grace was about to kneel again.

"Leave, I don't want to see you again. If you come to me again, I'll tell Caleb." Susan said and hopped into the elevator.

But this drama didn't end. After work, Susan got into her car and just started the engine.

Grace suddenly threw herself onto the car window, her face all up in Susan's space.

Susan was almost scared out of her mind.

The terrifying dream from last night came rushing back, blending with the current moment. Susan couldn't tell if it was real or a nightmare. Her heart pounded, and cold sweat dripped down her scalp.

Grace pounded on the car window, pleading, "Susan, help me, please help me."

"I won't help you, get lost." Susan was in inner turmoil, "I need to pick up my son, stop bugging me."

"You've got a kid too, you know how it feels. Susan, Susan, help me."

"What the hell are you doing? Get outta here!"

Security dragged Grace away, but her desperate cries echoed in Susan's ears, almost making her swerve the car into a wall.

Susan pulled over to the side of the road to calm down, or she would've had a wreck.

For safety's sake, after picking up Oliver, Susan hired a driver and sat in the back with him.

"Mommy, why aren't you driving today? Why'd you get someone else to drive?"

"I'm just a bit tired today."

"Mommy, you've been super tired these past few days. Are you sick?" Oliver looked at her with worry.

"No, I'm not sick. With a driver, I can hold you like this, isn't that nice?"

"Yeah, I like holding you too. I just don't want you to be too tired; it makes me really sad."

Holding her son and listening to his sweet, innocent voice, the unease and gloom in Susan's heart started to lift a bit, "I'm fine, as long as I have you, I'm very happy."

But then, Susan thought of Grace again. She must also want to hold Candy like this.

Even though she had mistreated Candy before, what mother doesn't love her daughter?

Susan sighed quietly.

"Move! Get outta the way!"

"Candy, I didn't hit your mommy."

"I'm not taking your daughter, Grace!"

"Susan, Susan, wake up!"

"Susan!"

Susan woke up from her nightmare, flailing her arms in panic, and saw Caleb's face.

"Car accident, car accident, I killed Grace, Candy hates me, Caleb!" Susan shouted, "Save her, call an ambulance, she's bleeding a lot."

"It's just a nightmare, Susan, you had a nightmare, it's not real." Caleb comforted her, "Calm down, look, we're at home."

It took a long time for Susan to calm down and regain her senses.

Her eyes were red, "I've been having the same terrifying nightmare these past few days, dreaming that I killed Grace, and Candy hates me."

"Why are you dreaming about her?" Caleb frowned.

"Grace has been relentlessly coming to find me all week, blocking me at work and after work, begging me to give Candy back to her," Susan choked up.

"Why didn't you tell me? Damn it, she's asking for it." Caleb said, reaching for his phone.

Susan knew he was going to go after the Bailey family, and she stopped him quickly, "No, she didn't hurt me."

"Look at how scared you are, and you say she didn't hurt you?" Caleb gritted his teeth.

"She just wants me to ask you to give her visitation rights."

"Not happening!"

"Caleb, maybe you could..."

Caleb frowned, "You want to plead for her? You know the awful things she did to Candy. She will hurt Candy."

"I know she messed up, but she's Candy's mom, and that's an unchangeable fact. Candy also misses her. Caleb, you know you can't keep them apart forever, right? Candy will hate you for that too."

"I'd rather she hate me than let Grace hurt her."

"But this will also mess Candy up mentally. No kid doesn't love their parents, and no parent doesn't love their kid. Grace scared me these past few days, but I can understand her desperation as a mom. If you don't let her see Candy, she will go nuts. Even if you want to punish her, she's suffered enough. Let her see Candy, okay?"