Chapter 24 X Franco's voice , full of that same condescending tone I'd come to expect , struck me like a slap . It was enough to make my blood boil with frustration . Just as I opened my mouth to snap back , Bernard interjected , his voice smooth but assertive . " If she divorced you , it's obvious she doesn't love you anymore . She doesn't need your love , Maxwell . Everything you claim to offer her , I can give her , and more . " He paused , letting that sink in before adding , " Stop acting like you're on some pedestal . Suzy doesn't need your charity . She has me now , and I can give her everything she wants . " I glanced at Franco , who stood motionless , his face losing its color . His anger was clear , but he was too overwhelmed to speak as the usual sharpness of his tongue was lost in his flood of emotions . For a moment , it seemed like he might explode , but he said nothing . Without saying another word , I rolled up the window and turned to Bernard . " Let's go , " I told him . Bernard nodded , a calm expression settling on his face as he pressed the gas , and the car smoothly pulled away from the scene . Behind us , I could hear Franco's muffled voice - his frustration spilling out - but I didn't look back . We drove away , leaving him standing there , helpless and small . Franco's POV As I watched the car drive away , I was left coughing on dust horrendously . Behind me , one of my subordinates stepped forward . " Should we go after them , Sir ? " I shook my head , my jaw tight with frustration . " No. Who does she think she is ? She's made me beg for her so many times , and she still doesn't appreciate it . Clearly , I've spoiled her . If she doesn't want to come back , then forget it . It's not like I can't live without her . " I had never felt this humiliated before in my life . Suzy had pushed me too far . Determined to prove a point , I decided I wouldn't let her walk away from me . That very night , I boarded a plane back home . When I arrived home , the sound of my grandchildren running to greet me hit me harder My Husband Staged Our Divorce to Marry His First Love 1/2 78.3 % 23:27 Mon , Aug , 11 1020 . than I expected . 56 % D X " Grandpa , where's Grandma ? Why hasn't she come back ? " Tommy asked . My lips pressed into a thin line as I sighed . " Your grandma's gotten too independent . She ran off with someone else , and she won't be coming back . " The living room went dead silent . Then , my grandchildren's faces immediately dropped , and before I could say anything else , they both started crying . " Grandpa lied ! He promised to bring Grandma back , but he didn't . Grandpa is a liar ! " " We want Grandma ! Bring Grandma back ! " " It's all Grandpa's fault ! He's the one who made Grandma leave . Grandma ! We want Grandma … " I rubbed my forehead in frustration , pulling them into my arms and trying to calm them down . " I tried , but Grandma doesn't want to come back . I can't do anything about it . We don't need her , and we'll be fine without her . How about this ? I'll bring Aunt Ingrid over , and she can play with you , okay ? " I thought mentioning Ingrid might calm them , but to my surprise , they cried even harder . " No , we don't want Aunt Ingrid ! We hate her ! " " She's not like our grandma . We only want Grandma , no one else ! " I stood frozen , my mind racing . ' How could they hate Ingrid already , after just a few days ? Had something happened that I didn't know about ? ' Just then , Karla , my daughter , came out of the kitchen and stopped when she saw me . " Dad , you're back . " I nodded , but immediately asked , " The kids don't seem to like Ingrid . Did something happen ? " Karla's expression changed , a flash of tension crossing her face . " Well , a few days ago , Dylan and I were on a business trip , and neither Marian nor Andrew was home . So , I asked Aunt Ingrid to pick up the kids . But that evening , their teacher called to ask why the kids hadn't been picked up yet . That's when I found out Aunt Ingrid had been at the casino again and had forgotten to pick them up . " Karla continued , " I had to call her again to make sure she went . She eventually went and took them to her place . I figured , okay , even though Aunt Ingrid doesn't have a family of her own , at least she's an adult . She'd give them food to eat at least . But , yeah , she didn't . When the kids asked her for food , she got annoyed and slapped them . " Her voice shook with anger as Karla added , " Because of that slap , the kids already dislike har Of Chapter 24 . Tuinn furious when I found ou I told han not to to the hauna 212 80.0 % 23:28 Mon , Aug 11 TOR TODO 2002OT ANnning and rignon thom