Chapter 26 Suzy's POV Not wanting to hear any more of Franco's excuses , I added , " If you don't want anyone to find out about the things you've done behind my back , then take the kids and show up here again . " go . Don't Franco , words on the tip of his tongue , swallowed them back . With a bitter look in his eyes , he muttered , " Suzy , you'll regret this . " He took the children and left . As soon as they were gone , Bernard arrived . Seeing the curious glances from the passersby , he looked at me with concern . " Did something happen just now ? " I didn't want to drag him into the mess with Franco . Without thinking , I shook my head . " No , nothing . It's getting late . Let's go . " Bernard , seeing that I didn't want to talk , didn't press further . However , privately , he had his assistant investigate the situation . After learning the full details , his frustration grew . He ordered his subordinates to monitor the area and ensure that Franco wouldn't bother me again . Franco's POV I returned with my grandchildren , and their crying marked the entire trip . Tommy and Thalia asked me to bring their grandmother back , but after feeling humiliated by her actions , I refused to see her again . And so , I ignored their pleas , determined to take them home . When we got back home , my son and daughter rushed to greet me in the living room . " Dad , why are the kids crying ? Didn't you find Mom ? " I shook my head . " We found her , but she refused to come back . " Andrew's anger flared immediately . " What's wrong with that old woman ? We've already given in so much , and she still won't come back ? Does she want us to get on our knees and beg her ? " Karla joined in as she muttered , " She's acting like a spoiled child . Doesn't she realize how busy we are ? I've been working , picking up the kids , and cooking . I'm exhausted . " Dylan added , " That's right . My laundry's been piling up like crazy . And she's out there living it up , doing nothing . " " My laundry's the same , " Marian chimed in , even more irritated . " I've been working on a Chapter 25 2/2 83.3 % 23:28 Mon , Aug 11 56 % X huge project , practically living at the office . I don't have time for anything else . I've lost five pounds in three days ! She's out there enjoying herself , and here I am , stuck with everything . How selfish ! " Karla then muttered , " It's not just the adults ; even the kids have been miserable . No more homemade meals from her . They're losing weight and can't even focus on school . " One by one , they all joined in , complaining about Suzy's flaws , as if she had committed some heinous crime . For the first time , I , the one who usually led the reprimands , stayed silent . I never truly realized how much Suzy did at home . I always assumed she was living a life of luxury and didn't appreciate the work and effort it took to keep everything running smoothly . What was even more painful was realizing that even my children thought all their mom's hard work was just expected . They couldn't handle the chores themselves , yet they never once considered how hard it must have been for Suzy all those years . I felt a pang of guilt deep in my chest . I interrupted their complaints , my tone sharp . " Enough ! Suzy is your mother and not your maid ! She's not getting any younger , so stop piling everything on her . You can't just expect her to do everything . What if she gets sick ? " " Dad , why are you suddenly siding with her ? " Andrew asked , confused . turned to him and asked , " Then think about it - if all those things you just listed , and if every single one of them fell on you alone , could you handle it ? " Chapter 26