Chapter 196 Where to Go
The next morning, Susan practically dragged Catherine out of the house.
Susan had booked a nearby two-day tour and was all in on making sure Catherine had a blast. Seeing Catherine enjoy herself made Susan feel a bit better.
After they got back, Susan felt weak and her nausea was worse. She knew she couldn't put it off any longer.
At breakfast, Susan said, "Mom, I need to talk to you."
"What is it?" Catherine asked, still eating.
"Yesterday, my boss called. They need a supervisor at Lindell Harbor and want me to go," Susan started.
Catherine frowned and cut her off, "Weren't they transferring you back? How can we be okay with you alone at Lindell Harbor?"
"Mom, they just need me for one more year. They'll give me a raise and a promotion when I come back. I'm working hard to earn more. It's tougher for women to get promoted. I want to go, but I'm worried about you," Susan said, looking down to avoid Catherine's eyes. She was lying.
She planned to leave for a year, have the baby, and then bring the child back. Catherine would accept it by then.
"Don't worry about me. My arm's healed, and I'm only fifty. I don't need anyone to take care of me. I just want you to come back to Maple Valley and find a good partner," Catherine frowned.
"Mom, maybe I'll find someone even better at Lindell Harbor," Susan smiled, holding Catherine's hand.
"You always say that to make me feel better," Catherine complained.
"Mom, I promise, in a year, I'll bring someone back to meet you, okay?" Susan raised her hand solemnly.
"You said it. If you come back alone, don't blame me for not letting you in," Catherine said, seizing the moment.
"Okay," Susan nodded earnestly.
Susan knew she'd keep her promise, but instead of a husband, she'd bring back her child.
Two days later, Susan left home with her suitcase again.
She didn't leave Maple Valley right away but went to Isabella's house.
Isabella was thrilled to see Susan and quickly pulled her inside.
"Susan, when did you get back to Maple Valley? Why didn't you tell me?"
Sitting in the house she once rented, Susan took the water Isabella gave her and smiled, "I wanted to surprise you!"
"More like shock me," Isabella said, back to her usual self.
"How have you been?" Susan asked.
Susan came to Isabella's because she hadn't decided where to go next and hadn't seen Isabella in over six months. She wanted to check on her.
"I'm the same, working as an accountant at a small company. The pay's decent, and my mom's recovering well. Next month, I'm planning to bring her to Maple Valley. This house is big enough for both of us, and she can take care of herself. We can keep each other company and save on caregiver costs," Isabella shrugged.
"That sounds good," Susan nodded.
"Enough about me. How about you?" Isabella pressed.
Susan smiled, "Still the same."
"Are you going back to Lindell Harbor?" Isabella asked.
Susan shook her head, "I haven't decided yet. Let's not worry about it. How about I treat you to a meal?"
"Sure, let's drink until we drop," Isabella got excited.
Susan frowned and lied, "My stomach isn't feeling well, so I can't drink."
Isabella looked disappointed, "Then I'll drink alone. I was hoping to drink away my sorrows!"
"What do you have to worry about?" Susan envied Isabella's routine life. Apart from life's pressures, she didn't have Susan's complicated worries.
"I'm worried about not finding a good man, not getting rich, not having a grand love affair. Plenty to worry about!" Isabella rolled her eyes and pulled Susan out the door.
Hearing Isabella's complaints, Susan smiled bitterly.
Some suffered from love, others from its absence. Only Susan knew how hurtful love could be.She'd rather live a peaceful life and never talk about love again.
That night, Isabella got drunk.
Susan knew Isabella had had a tough few years, raising Michelle alone, renting a place, taking care of medical needs, and dealing with life's pressures. Especially because of her, Isabella had lost her job at Prosperity Group.
Susan thought all night and finally decided to return to Lindell Harbor.
She was familiar with the place, so finding a new rental would be easy. She planned to get two part-time accounting jobs to cover living expenses without overworking herself. Given her severe pregnancy symptoms and past experiences, she needed to take good care of herself for a smooth delivery.
In the morning, as Susan left with her suitcase, the still-drunk Isabella was asleep.
Susan didn't disturb her. She left $2,000 and a note by Isabella's pillow and then left.
Susan headed straight to the train station and bought a ticket to Lindell Harbor. The train wouldn't depart for another three hours, so she had to wait.
During the wait, Susan got a phone call.
"Susan, it's Maria," a familiar voice said.
Hearing Maria's voice, Susan felt warmth, "Maria, what brings you to call me?"
"I heard you recently returned to Maple Valley. It's the weekend, so I wanted to invite you to lunch," Maria laughed.
Susan politely declined, "Maria, I'm sorry. I bought a ticket for the noon train to Lindell Harbor. Let's meet next time."
"You're going back to Lindell Harbor?" Maria asked, surprised.
"Yes," Susan replied.
After a moment, Maria said, "There's still three hours before your train. There's a café near the station. I'll head over now, and we can have coffee and snacks together."
Susan checked her wristwatch; it was only nine o'clock. She hadn't seen Maria in a long time and missed her, so she agreed. "Thank you for making the trip."
"It's no trouble. I miss you too. See you at the café in half an hour," Maria said and hung up.
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