Chapter 226 No Other Options
Susan leaned out from the balcony and yelled, "Tuva, how do you know I had a kid out of wedlock? Which eye saw me being a rich guy's mistress?"
The folks downstairs suddenly noticed Susan. Catherine stepped up and snapped, "Mind your own business and take care of the kid!"
Catherine knew Susan well and didn't want her to be mocked by the neighbors.
However, Tuva wasn't backing down. She put a hand on her hip and shouted, "Susan, if you're not a mistress, where's the kid's dad? Is the kid you carry around fatherless?"
Tuva's words got the crowd laughing. As the noise grew, more neighbors gathered.
Seeing the crowd, Catherine got more uneasy, her face turning red.
Feeling cornered, Susan shouted, "The kid's dad will pick us up tomorrow. He's been busy with work, so I brought the kid to my mom's."
Catherine frowned, anxious but silent.
Tuva mocked, "Sure, let's see if a man shows up tomorrow. Just don't let it be some old, bald guy!"
The neighbors laughed harder.
"You'll see tomorrow. Don't go anywhere!" Susan shot back.
"Fine, I'll bring a chair and sit at the entrance to see your son-in-law!" Tuva said to Catherine, tilting her head.
"Mom, come upstairs and cook," Susan shouted to Catherine, ignoring Tuva, and slammed the window shut.
Catherine quickly left with her grocery basket and went home.
After she left, the crowd lost interest and dispersed.
Inside, Catherine shut the door, put the grocery basket down, and went to Susan's room.
Susan was sitting by the bed, looking at the sleeping Spring.
Regretting her hasty response, Susan pondered frantically about how to salvage the situation. Where could she possibly find a father figure for the child on such short notice? Despite her internal turmoil, she knew she had to uphold her story to silence Tuva.
Seeing Susan, Catherine sat angrily on a chair by the bed. "Let's see how you fix this mess," she remarked, her voice dripping with anger.
Catherine was aware of Susan's situation with the love child. Her earlier impulsive remarks were a defensive response to push back against the gossiping neighbors.
Susan knelt in front of Catherine and apologized, "Mom, I know I've caused you trouble by coming back. It's my fault for making you lose face and feel sad."
Hearing this, Catherine's heart softened, and tears welled up.
"Mom, don't cry. I'll handle this. I won't let you lose face," Susan promised quickly.
Catherine wiped her tears and said, choking up, "I care about face, but your happiness matters more. What will you do in the future?"
"Mom, don't worry about me." Susan felt deeply guilty. She hadn't given Catherine a good life but had instead caused her embarrassment and sadness.
Suddenly, Catherine asked, "Susan, tell me the truth. Are you a mistress? Is the child's father married, and that's why you won't tell me who he is?"
Susan was both amused and exasperated. "Mom, I wish what they said was true. If I were a mistress to a rich man, I wouldn't be in this situation. A rich man would have given me a house, a car, and a nanny!"
"Then who is the child's father?" Catherine asked again.
"Mom, you'll know tomorrow. Just wait a little longer," Susan said, brushing it off.
"You've been stubborn since you were a kid. The more I ask, the less you say." Catherine sighed and left Susan's room.
After Catherine left, Susan frowned, staring at the ceiling, wondering what to do next.
In the afternoon, after thinking for a long time, Susan dialed a number.
"Susan?" The phone was answered after two rings, and George's surprised voice came through.
Hearing George's voice, Susan took a deep breath. "George, am I interrupting your work?"
George immediately said, "Except for court appearances, I can arrange my time freely. Don't forget, I'm my own boss!"
George's teasing helped ease Susan's nerves.
"It's been over two months, and I haven't heard from you. I thought you'd never call me again!" George's voice was filled with joy.
Susan smiled bitterly. "George, I only call you when I'm in trouble. Do you think I'm a boring person?"
After thinking all afternoon, Susan realized that only George could help her, so she decided to give it a try.
George was silent for a moment before saying, "That means you trust me."
"I do trust you," Susan said, forcing a smile.
"Susan, are you in trouble?" George asked.
"I..." Susan started but found it hard to continue.
After a long silence, George became anxious. "Is something wrong with Spring? I'll come over right away!"
Susan could hear George getting up and walking, so she quickly said, "No, Spring is fine. It's me who's in trouble."
Hearing this, George sighed in relief. "What trouble? Do you need me to come over now?"
"I want you to come over, but not now. Tomorrow," Susan said, biting her lip.
"Alright, I have a court session in the morning. Is it okay if I come in the afternoon?" George asked.
"That's fine. George, if my mom asks you anything tomorrow, just nod," Susan said, frowning.
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