CHAPTER 433: CHAPTER 433: WORSE THAN DEATH

The store closes at nine. Simon Rhodes helped tidy up, and while feeding the cats, he asked her, "Don’t you find this tiring every day?"

Susan Wilde, scooping cat litter, replied with a smile, "I’ve gotten used to it. It was overwhelming when I first got here, mainly because I wasn’t familiar with anything. I couldn’t relax mentally."

"You’ve adapted to your new life quite quickly."

She heard the resentment in his words and turned around to ask, "What about you?"

Simon didn’t hide how hard things were for him during that time: "At first, I went to the police station every day to inquire about you. I never got the answers I wanted. My smoking habit, which I was about to quit, got worse, and now I drink more. Plus..."

Before he could finish, Susan angrily scolded him, "Don’t you know your own health? You boast about drinking more, but what if something happens?"

Seeing her so worried about him, Simon chuckled helplessly, a bit petulant, "After all, you don’t care about me anymore."

Susan retorted, "Without me, would you stop living?"

Simon slightly smiled at her, "Life really is worse than death."

Susan froze, both upset and tender-hearted, her nose tingling as her eyes reddened. "Don’t joke about your health anymore. Even if I’m not around, take care of yourself."

"If you leave me again like that, you’ll return for my funeral."

Susan quickly glared at him, "Don’t say such things!"

Knowing how much Susan cared, he still said, "I’m not exaggerating at all. The worst I drank I ended up in the hospital. My heart stopped, and you didn’t come to see me even once."

Susan’s eyes reddened with anger, "Might as well drink yourself to death! You don’t know how to cherish your body one bit!"

"That’s why I need you to take care of me," Simon walked over to hug her, whispering in her ear, "Don’t leave me again."

"You can’t mistreat your body like this either. What if something happens?"

Simon contentedly smiled, whispering softly, "Alright."

The rain outside began to drizzle again. Lying on the small bed, holding her filled the void and longing in his heart.

"Simon, when we get back, let’s open a café too?"

Simon ran his hand through her hair, teasing, "You secretly came here to learn a craft and start a business?"

Susan looked up at him, "I’ve got it all planned, right on Oakhaven Road."

Simon asked, "Seriously?"

Susan nodded firmly, "I love this atmosphere. A few cats around, occasional guests to chat with, sunbathing and watering flowers when there’s nothing else to do."

Seeing her longing expression, Simon nodded, "Alright, you can be the boss, and I’ll just freeload at home."

Susan pouted, "No way, what if the business isn’t good and you have to pay for my meals."

"How could it not be good? If business is bad, I’ll have everyone at the company come to support you."

"Then I might as well contract the company cafeteria."

"That’s not a bad idea; then I could eat your cooking every day."

Susan gave him a sidelong glance, "Wishful thinking!"

Simon shifted his arm, cuddling her in a more comfortable position, his chin resting on her hair, softly asking, "Honestly, have you thought about me during this time?"

Susan pursed her lips and said nothing.

Simon frowned, pulling her head out from his arms, "Have you thought about it?"

Susan bit her lip, shaking her head.

"Not at all?"

She denied him with a smile, "No."

Simon pinched her nose, "You only like to tease me! You know my heart isn’t good, yet you always exasperate me!"

Susan jumped over to hug him with hands and feet, tilting her head up to ask, "Did you think of me?"

She thought Simon would act like her, longing but refusing to admit it, yet he nodded readily, "I did, very, very much. The night you left, I searched for you all night in the streets. But the city is so big, not the city we used to live in, I had no idea where to find you. You have no idea how despairing that feels."

Susan’s smile faded as she breathed deeply, "I’m sorry. But at that time, I really didn’t know what to do. I thought leaving you was the best for everyone."

"But it’s you who loves me, not everyone else. Why didn’t you think about my feelings?"

"Later, I gave it more thought too. I’m sorry, but I had already taken that step, and I knew things were slowly improving on your side. So I thought, if things calmed down, it would be better. I didn’t want to cause you more trouble and inconvenience. Even if you didn’t mind, I’d feel guilty."

Simon took a deep breath, understanding she hadn’t been truly happy much of their time together, always bearing the psychological pressure. Her agreeing to his pursuit was already her biggest contribution and choice.

Simon gently twirled her longer hair and asked, "After Shawn spoke out to clear things up, you never thought about coming back to find me?"

"I did," Susan replied, "but I was afraid if I went back, things would repeat themselves. And..."

"And what?"

"And I heard from Shannon that Grandpa had found you a matchmaking partner, who seems quite nice, so I..."

Hearing this, Simon was instantly annoyed, "So you being kind and generous is not returning and leaving me to someone else? For my sake?"

Susan, feeling guilty, lowered her eyes without speaking.

Simon said, "Don’t always say it’s for my sake. You’re clear on what I desire. So, stop assuming to make any decisions for me."

"...Okay."

If she was previously hesitant about returning to his side, then the moment she saw him today, her decision was unwavering.

If he hadn’t appeared, she might have tried to face and accept everything.

Yet, when he showed up, she realized how much she couldn’t bear to be without him, how much she longed to be with him, and how overwhelming her suppressed longing had been during this time...

She regretted her mistaken decision and was thankful he gave her a chance to correct it.

Since Shawn’s intervention, the situation has greatly improved, the external noise reduced, but there’s still Grandpa...

After a long silence, Simon assumed she had fallen asleep, but then he heard her say, "...what if Grandpa still refuses to accept me?"