Chapter 27 林家 55 % 日 X Franco's POV The answer was an obvious no . My words hung in the air , and the once noisy living room fell silent . My family exchanged uneasy glances , but no one could come up with a comeback . I felt tension build as I spoke again , disappointment creeping into my voice . " At first , like everyone else , I thought Suzy just left because she was throwing a fit . But the more I thought about it , the more I realized it wasn't just a tantrum . We really messed up and hurt her . " I paused , looking around at my family , feeling a weight I hadn't expected . " I used to think Suzy was the one holding on to us , that she needed us to get by . But now I see it's us who can't function without her . This whole place only ran smoothly because she was the one holding it all together . If you think I'm right , then it's time to take a hard look at yourselves . If she ever comes back , we can't keep treating her the way we did before . " Even I was surprised by how much I had defended Suzy . For decades , I never once spoke up for her . I stood by while the rest of the family took her for granted . As a result , they followed my example , exploiting her without a second thought . Regret weighed heavily on my chest . I thought about the things I had said to her recently , things I had never meant , and it hurt more than I'd like to admit . My son and daughter shared a look , and it was clear they were finally starting to understand . They both seemed to realize , though a little too late , that I was right . So , with a shared sense of determination , they decided to find their mother themselves . I still wanted Suzy to come back , but I doubted it would happen . I thought about the past and all the things I had done and said , wondering if it was already too late . But seeing my kids so determined to find Suzy , I couldn't bring myself to stop them . So , I let them go. Suzy's POV The next day , there I was , standing in front of the Maxwells once again . But this time , Franco wasn't with them - just Andrew and Karla . I'd just come back from a trip with Bernard when I ran into them right at the door . The moment Karla saw Bernard standing next to me , her face dropped , like I'd slapped her . " So this is why you won't come home ? You're shacking up with him now ? " Karla spat out , My Husband Staged Our Divorce to Marry His First Love 1/2 88.3 % 23:29 Mon , Aug 11 TIN WAITH Nim now . 目 X her voice dripping with disdain . " Mom , this is a betrayal . You're betraying Dad ! " I couldn't help myself . I let out a little scoff and shot back , " So , when your father married his sister behind my back , that wasn't betrayal ? " Karla blinked , a little stunned by the jab , and for a second , she didn't know what to say . Finally , Andrew stepped in , probably to calm the situation down . " Mom , how have you been ? Things at home haven't been the same without you , " he began softly . " We finally saw how much you did . We're sorry for how we treated you over the years . That's why we're here . We came today to apologize … " " Before he could finish , I cut him off . If you're trying to persuade me to return , don't bother . I'm not going back . There's no one left for me there anymore . " Andrew furrowed his brows and pressed , " What about us , Mom ? We're your family too . We're your flesh and blood . " Karla , still fuming , chimed in , " Mom , we're your kids . How can you just toss us aside like that ? " I looked at both of them , acting like they couldn't stand the thought of losing me . Honestly , it was almost funny . I couldn't help but laugh . " Oh , so now you remember I'm your mom ? " I said , sarcasm dripping from my voice . " Yet , when you defended Ingrid , backed up your dad , and let him pretend to divorce me to marry her , how could you forget I'm your mother ? " I took a deep breath and paused for a moment before speaking , " Let's be real . You came here looking for me because the house is falling apart without me . But back then , all you cared about was Ingrid . She could do no wrong , and no matter what I did , none of it mattered to you . " Shaking my head in disbelief , I finished , " Ever since I signed that divorce agreement , I have no relationship with you anymore . " Chapter 27