Chapter 7 D X As soon as my words left my mouth , Ingrid's expression softened . She was satisfied with my response and , in her usual playful way , left a hickey on my neck . I didn't show much on the outside , but as soon as I got out of the car and walked into the house , I started nervously adjusting my collar , trying to hide the mark . I wasn't sure if Suzy would notice , but I felt she would . So I walked inside and headed straight to the bedroom to check on her . But as soon as I entered , I was hit by the lack of everything familiar . There were no signs of Suzy . Her things were gone , too . My heart skipped a beat as a wave of realization hit me . I had forced her out before I left , but now it felt different . She must be living somewhere else . A vague sense of guilt began to creep in . Without wasting another second , I grabbed my phone and dialed her number . The call picked up quickly , and Suzy's cool , calm voice filled my ear . " What is it ? " she asked , almost detached . I couldn't hide the irritation in my voice . Despite my efforts to stay calm , I asked with a touch of accusation , " Didn't you see the message I sent you ? " In the past , if my tone had even been slightly off , Suzy would have immediately reflected on herself and apologized . But this time , her response was almost dismissive , devoid of any concern for what I was feeling . " I saw it , " she said , her voice flat . My frustration flared . " Then why didn't you reply ? " Her answer was as cold as I had feared . " Who are you to me that I should reply ? " That hit me harder than I expected . I tried to stay calm , but my irritation was evident . " Is this about me not taking you to Grandshire with us ? I told you , I only took my sister there for treatment . Why can't you understand that ?" Suzy's POV I stood by the window , listening to Franco Maxwell , feeling completely at a loss . My voice , without realizing , became more distant . Chapter 6 2/2 20.0 % 23:19 Mon , Aug 11 X " I'm not upset , " I said quietly . " I just want to remind you , Franco , that we're divorced . Whether you're abroad or back here , it has nothing to do with me . " There was a long pause on the other end of the line . After two seconds , Franco sighed , his tone softening as though speaking to a child . " Alright , alright , " he said . " I can't even tell if you're upset or not . Even if you're not mad that I went abroad without you , you're still upset about me insisting on a fake divorce with you . " " I told you , we just needed one month of divorce , and we'll remarry . We're still a couple . We can go back to how things were . Why can't you understand that ? " I listened to him , and for the first time in years , I truly heard him . He was so confident , but he still thought I was just throwing a tantrum . I couldn't bother with him anymore . Without another word , I hung up the phone . Franco , not willing to accept this , immediately called me back . Without hesitation , I added him to my blocked contacts . Franco's POV I felt the color drain from my face as a rush of anger flooded through me . My chest tightened with each breath , frustration building up , threatening to spill over . I couldn't believe it . Just a month after the divorce , Suzy dared to hang up on me , then block me completely . How could she do that to me , her husband of 30 years ? I never expected this from her ! She must've gotten some confidence , maybe thinking the attention I gave her made her stronger . But no , Suzy was pushing her luck now . Frustrated and desperate , I quickly typed out a message and sent it to her : [ I'm asking you one last time , Suzy . Are you coming back or not ? If you don't , and you miss the cooling - off period for the divorce , I won't remarry you . I won't give you custody of our grandkids either . You'll have to handle it all on your own . ] Even though I was looking at my phone , I could practically feel the rage in her silence . I knew Suzy had seen my message and intentionally chose not to reply . I continued to look at the message I sent to Suzy , anxiously awaiting her response and hoping she would eventually give in . But as minutes passed without reply , my frustration grew , a knot of irritation forming in my Chapter 7 2/3 22.2 % 23.19 chest . Mon , Aug - When Andrew and Karla saw my expression , they hurried over , concern clear in their eyes . " Dad , what's wrong ? Why do you look so upset ? What happened ? " 3/3