Chapter 15 OX Franco's POV I was caught off guard . I knew Suzy had left the house , but I hadn't expected her to leave the country , especially on the same day I had gone to Grandshire . It had been so long since I last heard from her , and now , this revelation left a strange unease settling in my chest . The more I thought about it , the worse it felt . I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong . Without wasting any more time , I instructed my assistant to book me a ticket . I had to go to Montrose . I was determined to find Suzy and figure out what was going on , no matter what it took . Suzy's POV I sat on a wooden bench by the lake , watching the sunset with Bernard Cartier . The calm and peaceful setting of Havendale provided a moment of relief , far from the chaos back home . Then Bernard turned to me , his gaze gentle but holding something I couldn't quite understand - a blend of relief , admiration , and perhaps a hint of something more profound . " Leaving Franco was definitely the right choice , " he said , his voice warm . " It hasn't been long , and here you are , smiling again . " His words hit me in a way I didn't expect . There was a pause , as if he was choosing his words carefully , and then he added , " I can tell you're genuinely happy . This smile … it's different from the one you had when we first reunited . " somet The weight of Bernard's words settled over me like a blanket , and I suddenly felt tighten in my chest . He was right , of course . My smile now felt like something that came from deep within me , something real . But when he mentioned our reunion , it was like a sharp pang of guilt and pain hit me all at once . For all these years , I didn't realize how worn out I had become . It wasn't just my appearance that changed - it was my eyes . I felt like the spark was gone . They used to be full of life , but now ? Chapter 14 3/3 46.7 % 23:22 Mon , Aug 11 X Now , they felt empty , like stagnant water . Back then , when Bernard first saw me , his heart was filled with nothing but heartache and anger . He wanted to go straight to Franco , confront him , and I couldn't blame him . I was broken . I instinctively touched my face , feeling the curve of my smile , a little surprised at how much it had changed . It was true . I wasn't the woman I was when I first saw Bernard again . I had changed . And while some of that change was painful , much of it felt freeing . What was once sorrow and frustration had gradually turned into something new - vitality , hope , and , for the first time , a future I could shape . But , as I thought about it , a little pang of regret surfaced . I realized just how much I had loved Franco - more than I had loved myself , honestly . That love had tied me down for so long , kept me from living my own life . For thirty years , I had put him first . I had lived in his shadow . Bernard must've noticed the shift in my mood , because he gently patted my back . " I promise you , every day you spend with me , I'll make sure you're happy , " he assured me , his voice soft and calm . " I won't let you carry those worries anymore . " Bernard's words comforted me , and I was about to respond when , of course , my phone rang . I glanced at the screen , and the number was unfamiliar . My first instinct was to hang up , but somehow , I pressed the answer button by mistake . Then I heard it - Franco's voice , rough and familiar , breaking through the calm . " Suzy , I've arrived in Montrose . Where are you ? I'm coming to find you . " I froze . I couldn't believe what I was hearing . After all this time , all these years of him never bothering to even check on me , and now he was suddenly calling ? I wanted to laugh , but all I could feel was confusion and a bit of disbelief . I took a deep breath , and in the coldest voice I could muster , I replied , " I'm not there . I'm in Havendale , traveling . " There was a brief silence on the other end , followed by Franco's voice , now laced with frustration . " Suzy , are you done throwing a tantrum ? Havendale is so far away . How could you go there alone ? I know you're still angry about what happened , but I've come all the way here to find you . Can't you stop being so stubborn and just come back with me ? " Then Franco informed me , " I'm waiting for you in Tidal Bay City . Hurry up and get me . Don't waste time . The company has a bunch of things waiting for me . I don't have time to waste Chapter 15 213 48 9 % 23:23 Mon , Aug 11 : 30 ; ….. with you . " M S 57 % O X His words hit me like a slap , with the usual arrogance and sense of superiority practically dripping through the phone . It wasn't just what he said , but how he said it , as if searching for me was a noble act and he was doing me a favor . In the past , I might have felt a tug at my heart , thinking it meant he still cared . But now ? Now , all I feel is … nothing . I replied calmly , almost too calmly , " Then go back , Franco . I'm not going there to see you . I'm traveling around the world , and I don't have time . " Franco was about to say something more , but Bernard's voice broke through the tension . " Suzy , it's getting late . Let's head back for dinner . Tonight , I'm making your favorite dishes . " 23:23 Mon , Aug 11 D