Chapter 137 Susanna Was SadJoanna was already awake when Norah stepped into her ward She caught sight of Susanna standing close by Norah which initially made her feel somewhat displeased However she quickly managed to shake off the feelingJoanna reasoned that given her current state confined to a bed with her injuries it was only right for Norah to have another companion at her side Susanna being Seans sister made Joanna suspect that Sean had sent Susanna over as a means to grow closer to NorahJoanna could tell Norah was fond of Susanna given Susanna was such a lovely girl Joanna hadnt seen Sean for quite a while leaving her uncertain about his feelings toward NorahNorah you have no idea how much Ive been looking forward to your visits every day The pain from my wound has been so bad Ive found myself crying Joanna confessed her eyes brimming with tears her voice quiveringNorah leaned over gently wiping away her tears Joanna I can see how much youre hurting Look here see what Ive brought for youAs Joanna paused her crying she looked curiously at Norahs hand Whats thatNorah opened her palm to reveal a piece of milk candy After I wrapped up surgery today the patients child handed me this candy Ive held onto it for you all daywA smile broke through Joannas tearstreaked face Thank you Norah The milk candy though simple held immense value for Joanna It symbolized that Norah had her in her thoughts even amidst her busy schedule and to Joanna that meant everythingSusanna watched from a distance her envy unmistakable She suddenly realized that she lacked true friends The Scott familys insistence on vetting anyone who approached her due to her delicate condition coupled with their intrusive surveillance meant that her friendships never lasted Privacy became a luxury and soon she found herself friendlessMoreover due to health concems Susanna was hesitant to seek out friendships actively which made her all the more envious of the close bond between Norah and JoannaWitnessing Norahs gesture of saving the milk candy for Joanna after a long days work Susanna understood it was more than just candy It was a token of Norahs care for Joanna This prompted Susanna to recall a moment they shared in the villa where Norah had given hera milk candy That gesture had made her happy for daysLost in her thoughts Susanna followed quietly as Norah wrapped up her conversation with Joanna and exited the
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roomSusanna are you alright Norah asked noticing the shift in Susannas mood since they had entered Joannas ward a stark contrast to her usual cheerful demeanor back in Kasons wardSusanna settled into the passenger seat secured her seatbelt and spoke softly Watching you and Joanna together made me feel envious I realized I didnt have any friends like that Do you think its strange She fiddled with her fingersI didnt think too much when Frieda invited me out I just went along cheerful due to the invitation Susanna in her innocence hadnt seen through Friedas ulterior motivesPhillip had later informed Susanna that both Frieda and Bart were now imprisoned facing the prospect of a life behind bars if the Scott family pressed chargesewcNorah who had long been a solitary figure found a genuine connection with Joanna Joannas openheartedness and kindness had drawn her in leading to a deep friendship Yet after Norahs marriage their communication dwindled leaving Norah pensive and somewhat melancholy
Turning to Norah Susanna asked Could we become good friendswSusannas eyes widened as she considered the question earnestly You might suspect Im only saying this to bridge a connection between you and Sean and I wont pretend that thought hasnt crossed my mind But beyond that I genuinely wish for us to be friendsSusanna clasped her hands together an anxious glance in Norahs direction She feared her words might come across as odd especially after the heartfelt scene in Joannas ward Yet these were her sincere feelings her desire to befriend Norah unswayed by Seans presence or absenceYoure being silly Havent I always been kind to you Norahs response came with clarity and warmth I truly like youNorah had taken Susanna under her care as her second patient upon resuming her role as the Supernatural Doctor She had always held a special place for Susanna charmed by the latters endearing qualitiesSusanna caught off guard was left speechless her emotions a mix of surprise and disbelief Norah youve always been kind to me Its just hard to believe she confessed struggling with the concept of friendship yet recognizing Norahs genuine careNow that Ive made it clear do you trust me Norah reached out tenderly caressing Susannas face her voice warm and reassuring You silly girl You can share anything with me Tears filled Susannas eyes as she nodded emphatically OkayDerek upon reviewing his credit card statement for the third time couldnt suppress his irritation After a composed farewell to his business associate he made his way into his office phone in hand The statement glaring back at him listed purchases exceeding a hundred thousand on three separate occasionsClutching his phone Derek was mindful of his companys current financial strain and the need for frugalityMadeline what have you been buying with my card Derek inquired barely containing his frustration as the call connected Ive mentioned before that the company is tight on funds Could you consider reducing your spendingAh Derek Ive been shopping with my sisters Its been ages since we last got together so I picked out a few small gifts for them and something for myself Is it wrong to want to give gifts Madelines voice brimmed with hurt and Derek could almost see her pouting dampening his resolve to argueIts not about not giving gifts Derek softened his tone slightly But as Ive said lets wait for the company to stabilize financially By then you can shop to your hearts contentBut my sisters have been teasing us I dont want them to think were struggling Madeline pleaded from her hideout in the malls bathroom her voice a whisper Do you understand where Im coming fromDereks grip on the phone tightened his patience waning He understood Madelines concem about appearances yet he couldnt help but feel she was being reckless with his finances especially given his current situationJust make sure you come home early after your shopping Derek ended the call without reprimanding Madeline a reflection of his reluctance to express his discontentDerek always held Madeline in high regard since she was the woman he had cherished He believed in treating her well Yet as he hung up Derek found his thoughts drifting to Norah Unlike Madeline Norah had never demanded money or caused him any worry Since Madelines return however he realized he had bent over backward to accommodate Madelines numerous requestsHolding her phone Madeline had contemplated inviting Derek to dinner hoping to smooth over the tension Before she could voice her intention the call disconnected leaving her with the sound of a dial tone and a growing sense of resentment