Chapter 508 A Special Affection
May's hesitant look made Caleb squirm; her feelings were getting way too obvious.
But with their whole sisterly vibe, Caleb couldn't just call it out, making things super awkward.
"Who you date or what kind of guy you pick is totally your call, not my business," Caleb shot back.
He was ice-cold, like a whole different dude, nothing like how he was with Susan.
May felt the sting of rejection again and got a bit bummed. "I was just asking, no biggie. I'll go wash some fruit."
She practically bolted to the kitchen, her face on fire.
In the kitchen, laughter was bouncing off the walls.
Susan was busy making ravioli.
"Can you handle it? Got enough muscle?" Carol asked, "Let me take over."
"I'm good, got plenty of strength," Susan said, all cheerful, feeling like she could take on the world.
"Silly girl," Carol said, wiping flour off Susan's face with a tissue. "You look like a little white kitten, just like when you were a kid."
Susan stuck out her tongue.
Carol's eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"Mom, what's up?" Susan asked.
"Nothing, just so happy. I've waited for this day so long, thought I might not see it," Carol choked up.
"Mom..."
"I cry when I'm happy too, like a fool," Carol wiped her tears. "I'm just so glad you're home."
"Me too," Susan said, wrapping her arms around Carol. The warmest hug in the world was a mom's hug; she couldn't put into words how happy she felt right then.
"Mom, I love you."
"Love you too, Susan," Carol said with a smile. "By the way, when are you and Caleb tying the knot?"
That question made Susan a bit flustered.
"We... we haven't talked about it yet, no rush." Susan replied.
"Your kid's already three, and you're not in a hurry? He's got another daughter, right?" Carol asked.
"Yeah."
"Does that bother you?" Carol pressed.
Susan answered without missing a beat, "If I'm with him, his daughter is my daughter. I'll treat her like I treat Oliver."
"Easy to say, but might be tough to actually do, right?"
Susan shook her head. "Nope, I've always wanted a daughter." She was always like this; either she didn't accept something at all, or once she did, she was all in, no second thoughts.
"Well, as long as you're cool with it. So, what's the plan now?" Carol asked.
"We're just going with the flow." Susan replied.
"Go with the flow? Until when? But hey, it's your life, you decide. I trust you, and I'll back you no matter what." Carol said.
"Thanks, Mom," Susan said, feeling all warm and fuzzy. Having family support was the best, and family was the ultimate backup. Whether happy or sad, she didn't have to go through it alone; happiness could be shared, and sadness could be vented. Facing tough times, she had her family to lean on. She felt truly content now.
"Mom, I really love you," Susan said, feeling a wave of emotion, and couldn't help but snuggle into Carol's arms like a kid again.
Carol laughed. "You're a mom now, still acting all spoiled."
"Even if I'm a mom, I'm still your little girl," Susan said sweetly. "I haven't acted spoiled in years, gotta make up for it now."
"Alright, Susan."
May walked into the kitchen and saw the mother-daughter hug fest, looking all happy, which only made her angrier.
She coldly announced, "I'm washing the fruit."
She yanked open the fridge, grabbed a box of cherries, and started scrubbing them like she was trying to erase her frustration.
"Hey, you don't need to go all Hulk on those cherries, you'll mess up the skins," Susan said. "Are you washing them for Caleb?"
"Yeah," May replied, her tone icy.
"He doesn't even like cherries, he's all about peaches," Susan said, washing her hands and pulling out two big white peaches from the fridge.
May felt a sting in Susan's words and frowned. "Just 'cause he didn't like them before doesn't mean he won't now."
"You don't get it, he's super consistent. What he likes, he always likes. What he doesn't, he never will."
Was she talking about herself?
May felt a surge of anger but knew it was true. Caleb only had eyes for Susan, and even after all these years, that hadn't changed.
Caleb could've been a total player, switching girls every day, but he didn't! May was green with envy.
As Susan sliced the peaches, May had a wild urge to grab the knife and slash Susan's face.
The violent thought made May shudder. She actually wanted to ruin her sister's face; it was too cruel. When had she become so vicious?
But the fear only lasted a second; the jealousy was like a beast inside her, growing stronger and harder to control.
Susan finished cutting the peaches, and they both headed out.
As soon as Caleb saw her, his gaze softened like butter. "You act like you don't care, but you got my favorite peaches." Susan was always so contradictory, but he loved it.
"Nope, the fridge just happened to have them," Susan wouldn't admit it.
"Stubborn," Caleb teased.
"Just shut up and see if they're sweet."
Caleb popped a piece in his mouth. "Super sweet, but not as sweet as you."
May forced a smile, holding the cherries. "These cherries are super fresh too, better than the peaches. Try one."
"No, thanks," Caleb said, munching on another piece of peach.
May's face fell.
Susan thought he was being rude and whispered to Caleb, "Just have a cherry, May washed them."
"I don't like cherries," Caleb replied.
"Come on, just try one. You might like it," Susan suggested.
"If I like something, I always like it. If I don't, I never will. Don't you get me?" Caleb's words had a deeper meaning.
And May got the hint, feeling a fire ignite inside her.
"Just try one," Susan said, offering him a cherry.
"Forget it!" May suddenly shouted.
"May?"
May swallowed hard and said, "If Mr. Eilish doesn't like them, don't force him."
"Sorry, May..."
The vibe got awkward, and Susan couldn't figure out why May was flipping out over something so small.
Even though May had been super friendly lately, she would sometimes get weirdly upset, and Susan was clueless why.
"Mommy, Uncle, I'm here—" A cheerful child's voice broke the tension.
"Oliver," Susan stood up happily. She hadn't taken Oliver to the hospital because it was a hassle, and he had preschool, so she had someone pick him up after school to come for dinner.
"Mommy, I missed you so much today," Oliver said, bouncing over with his little backpack, hugging Susan's neck and giving her a kiss.
"I missed you too!" Susan said, kissing Oliver's cheek. She loved his scent so much. Listening to his cute voice, all her worries vanished.
"And did you miss me?" Caleb asked, fishing for attention.
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