Chapter 306
Even though Susan still had her reservations about Penny, the sincere and heartfelt apology appeared to close the chapter on the issue, at least outwardly.
Lately, Susan had resumed some work she could do from home, but she was mostly pushed to rest.
Judith, Eason, and Penny came over every other day.
Judith found ways to cook various delicacies for Susan, and her culinary skills visibly improved by leaps
and bounds.
Eason went above and beyond to collect all sorts of unique items for Susan, all in an effort to keep her
entertained.
Penny did even more.
After that day, she truly lived up to her promise, showing her remorse through her actions.
She didn’t just help Judith whip up an array of gourmet dishes; she was also constantly sweet–talking Susan, quick to offer her a glass of water with a glance or hand her some candy with a gesture.
Her attentiveness was so on point; it was as if she knew Susan’s desires like the back of her hand.
That evening, Susan talked to Ben about Penny, her face showing a mix of emotions.
“I swear, Penny’s practically reading my mind these days. She’s one step ahead on everything, taking care of stuff before I even think to do it. Lately, I haven’t had to lift a finger, not even to grab a cup.”
Penny’s actions had left Susan somewhat embarrassed.
However, every time she suggested Penny take it easy, Penny would insist that she was making amends.
Susan was at a loss for what to do.
Ben quirked an eyebrow, “It’s normal.”
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“Normal?” Susan seemed puzzled. “But a normal person couldn’t pull that off, right?”
Ben chuckled, “Consider the environment she grew up in.”
Susan sat up straight, “Go ahead.”
Ben began his analysis.
“Penny was taken in by the Nicholas family when she was young. Her outburst at you that night showed some deep–rooted discomfort. No matter how well they treated her, the feelings of insecurity and not quite belonging never fully went away. She always tried to win them over, to cement her spot in the family.
“To win people over, she had to reach their hearts, so she became adept at reading people and situations, turning it into a kind of instinct.
“For nearly thirty years, this has been Penny’s life. Now, using this skill on you is just the tip of the
iceberg.”
Susan listened, completely taken aback.
She had to admit that Ben’s analysis made sense.
“So, Penny is really someone to feel sorry for, isn’t she?” Susan couldn’t help but remark.
Ben gently ran his fingers through Susan’s hair. “I don’t believe that’s the case. The Nicholas family is known for their rationality and strong moral values. They welcomed Penny into their fold and treated her as one of their own. Her challenges primarily stem from her struggle to overcome her past
circumstances. Nevertheless, the education and social opportunities she’s had since being adopted far exceed anything she could have imagined in her previous life as an orphan. Given the choice, she’d undoubtedly opt for the Nicholas family once more over remaining in the orphanage.”
Susan pondered for a moment, then shook her head. “I won’t dwell on it anymore. Whether Penny deserves sympathy or not, it’s not my concern.”
Ben observed Susan’s expression and let out a sudden chuckle. “You claim it’s unrelated to you, but you appear somewhat torn.”
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Susan cleared her throat softly and said, “You can tell, can’t you? So, take a guess, what’s been bothering me?”
Ben arched an eyebrow, “Will there be a prize if I guess correctly?”
Susan, not swayed by his self–assured demeanor, shot back, “So, you’re absolutely certain you’re
correct?”
Seeing her cheeks flush with defiance, Ben was moved, leaning down to kiss her.
Susan’s eyes widened in shock.
“Getting my reward upfront,” Ben remarked, sitting upright. “You’re torn because, despite Penny’s heartfelt apology and the excellent care she’s been providing you, you still can’t quite view her as a genuine friend. Am I on the right track?”
Susan had been a blend of timidity and frustration.
But after Ben spoke, only shock remained.
“How did you know that?”
Ben playfully teased her, giving her nose a gentle flick. “You reckon you’re that tough to figure out?”
Susan grumbled softly, still skeptical, “Why does it feel like everyone thinks they know what’s going on
inside me?”
Ben found this situation somewhat amusing. Without acknowledging Susan’s complaint, he sincerely
shared his perspective, “I’d suggest you simply come to terms with Penny’s behavior. However, you
don’t need to go out of your way to label her as a friend. It’s perfectly reasonable to exercise caution
when dealing with her.
“Penny is quite cunning. On that particular night, she was extremely anxious, which led to her showing her emotions. However, the following day, she managed to hide all her bitterness and present herself as cooperative and without remorse. Her ability to bounce back like that is rather unsettling.”
Susan listened, feeling bewildered.
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She couldn’t help but say, “What if Penny has really come to terms with it? After all, I don’t want to go back to the Nicholas family, and there’s no actual conflict between us.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “That’s a potential scenario. Whether she’s plotting something or has genuinely moved on, she should understand that going up against you serves no purpose. So, unless there’s a substantial change, it’s unlikely she’ll come after you again. That’s why I’m fine with you engaging with her. Just exercise caution, just in case,”
Susan, still feeling a bit perplexed, let out a yawn. “You sure are talking a lot today, and it’s making me
feel drowsy.”
Saying so, she actually laid her head on Ben’s chest and soon fell asleep, her eyelids fluttering shut.
Ben, watching her like this, felt a twinge of pity.
Ever since that blood test, Susan’s health has been in this condition
She needed a three–hour nap in the afternoon
And she had to go to bed early at night
The doctor mentioned that Susan initially had a robust constitution, but the extended period of blood
transfusions had taken a toll on it.
Before, her body was able to sustain equilibrium.
But that final blood draw had shattered the balance, becoming the tipping point.
In the following days, Susan would not only experience heightened fatigue but also exhibit reduced fertility.
He didn’t actually concern himself with whether Susan could become pregnant or not, but he worried that she might dwell on it too much. That’s why he chose not to share with her information about her lower fertility condition.
For him, whether or not they had children didn’t matter.
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What was most important was that Susan could recover quickly.
Ben gazed at Susan with affection for a moment, then leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Susan.”
Even in her slumber, it was as though Susan could sense Ben’s affection, and the corners of her mouth formed a faint, contented smile.
