Chapter 860 Departure
Three days later, Susan found herself back in Northstar City.
She looked up at the sky, feeling totally lost. She had always imagined coming back here with Seb by her side. But in just one short trip, she had lost him forever.
Susan walked into the living room, dropped her suitcase, and saw Isabella and Cecilia chilling on the couch with some afternoon tea and snacks.
They both jumped when they saw Susan.
Isabella struggled to her feet with Cecilia's help.
"Susan, what are you doing here? Why didn't you give us a heads-up?" Isabella asked as she got closer.
"Yeah, are you alone? Where's Mr. Anderson?" Cecilia glanced behind Susan, expecting to see someone else.
Susan's eyes welled up when she saw them.
She looked around the empty house and asked, "Where are Kathy and Mary?"
"Kathy and Mary went to pick up Hayden and Spring from school," Isabella replied.
Susan couldn't hold back anymore and said, "He's not coming back. He's getting married."
Isabella and Cecilia exchanged shocked looks. "What do you mean? Seb's getting married? What about you? Wasn't he supposed to marry you?" Isabella asked, stunned.
Susan gave a bitter smile. "We broke up."
"What happened? Oh my gosh, just tell me already!" Isabella, always impatient, clutched her belly in anxiety.
Cecilia quickly said, "Let her sit down and explain."
Susan sat on the couch and gave them a quick rundown of what had happened.
Isabella jumped up, furious. "Ellie is such a snake! How could she do this? And where's Leon? Seb trusts him the most. Can't Leon clear things up?"
"Leon has done everything he could. Without him, I wouldn't have even seen Seb. Now Leon's in a tough spot too. Seb trusts Ellie a lot, and Leon's been chewed out by Seb several times. He's done his best," Susan explained.
Isabella fell silent.
Cecilia thought for a while and said, "Logically, Ellie shouldn't have all this power. Even if Seb forgot about you, Ellie can't just make stuff up and have him believe it. Doesn't Seb have any family or other friends he can ask?"
Susan shook her head. "Seb and I divorced a long time ago. His mom and Rylee have passed away. He has a dad, but they barely talk because of family issues. I didn't interact much with the Andersons, especially after the divorce. Seb has a few friends, but they're scattered all over the world and don't keep in touch often, so they can't vouch for his personal stuff. Plus, Ellie knows Seb really well. She's been his secretary for seven or eight years and took care of him when he was injured. They've grown really close. I think Seb's already fallen for her."
When Susan said that last part, her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. She couldn't accept it, but she had no choice. There was no escaping this reality.
"Damn it, I swear, I want to go back and give Ellie a piece of my mind!" Isabella fumed, turning to head upstairs to pack her bags.
Susan quickly grabbed her arm. "Isabella, you need to think about your safety and the baby's. Now's not the time to act on impulse."
"If I don't do something now, they'll be married soon, and then it'll be too late!" Isabella said, her voice rising.
"I've already given up," Susan said quietly.
"What? You've given up? Do you realize that by giving up on Seb, you're also giving up on your kids' father? Your family will be torn apart. You know that once a man marries another woman, he won't care about his kids as much. If Seb and Ellie have their own kids, will your kids still be his priority?" Isabella said, her voice filled with urgency.
Susan, feeling utterly defeated, said, "I believe Seb is a responsible man. He'll treat Hayden and Spring the same as always. That's why I gave up. He's in love with Ellie and he's happy. I don't want to mess that up, and honestly, I can't. Isabella, please, support my decision. It took everything in me to make this choice. I came back to Northstar City to leave that painful place behind. I need to heal my wounds, and I need your support."
Susan looked at Isabella with tears in her eyes, then turned to Cecilia, feeling completely drained and unable to handle any more drama.
Seeing this, Isabella, heartbroken, hugged Susan and patted her back, but there was nothing more she could do.
Cecilia stepped forward and said softly, "Susan, since you've made your decision, I trust you have your reasons. Isabella and I will be here for you."
"Okay." Susan nodded, gently pushing Isabella away and patting Cecilia's hand.
"How have you been lately?" Susan asked, worried about Cecilia.
Cecilia gave a bitter smile. "Not great, to be honest. I'm just his mistress, after all. It's whatever. In six months, it'll be done."
"Cecilia, don't talk about yourself like that," Susan said, feeling sad for her friend.
Cecilia pursed her lips and smiled. "Don't worry, Susan. I'm just being self-deprecating. I won't do anything to belittle myself anymore. I actually regret a lot of things I did in the past."
From Cecilia's eyes, Susan could tell she was a strong and independent girl. She was outstanding, but her sensitivity and inferiority complex from growing up poor made her contradictory at times.
Susan sympathized with Cecilia. Their situations were similar, but Cecilia was more remarkable.
If Susan and Cecilia's relationship was built on mutual sympathy because of their shared experiences, then Susan and Isabella's bond was one of deep friendship. Isabella looked at Susan with great concern, afraid she might do something rash.
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