33

Everyone was expectant, especially Suzanne, who still had a small hope that Nathan would decide to stay with her, but the seconds passed and his silence was heavy, tormenting.

She bit her lips seeing the indecision reflected in his features, it was clear that he really didn’t know what to do.

“Because I am nothing to him but a contract,” she thought sorrowfully.

“I… I don’t…” the words got stuck in Nathan’s throat.

Suddenly he looked at her, she was somewhat pale and her eyes were glassy. He clenched his teeth, he really didn’t like seeing her cry.

“It’s decided,” the grandfather clapped his knees cheerfully. “Suzanne, go get your things…”

“No! No!” Nathan placed himself between them, like a shield. “Suzanne, please… do you agree with this? Do you really want to leave?”

He felt hypocritical for asking her that after having kicked her out of his house, but he quickly dismissed the feeling.

He didn’t want to feel more like trash, the feelings he had at that moment were enough.

She swallowed and looked at him, her eyes reflecting deep sadness, but suddenly she hardened her features, shaking her head affirmatively.

“See?” the old man laughed, and Nathan snorted. He was about to kick him out of his house. “Come on, Suzanne.”

“You’re doing this just to punish me,” he spat, clenching his fists at his sides. “I won’t let her leave, I don’t care who you are, Jarek.”

The one in question raised an eyebrow at his words.

He had never seen him challenge him in this way, but apparently, he was willing to do anything to keep this girl who apparently didn’t matter to him.

The old man smiled cynically because he knew it was quite the opposite.

“Do you dare to challenge me, Nathan?” he said mockingly.

“Yes, take it however you want, old man,” he spat the words, taking Suzanne by the waist possessively. “Try to cut my hands off if you want, but you’re not going to take her away from me now, I won’t allow it.”

The tension could be cut with scissors. Suzanne looked at Nathan, her heart beating rapidly in her chest because of his words.

"Just now," Suzanne thought with dismay.

"I won't let him take her," Nathan thought in turn, with determination.

"Are you going to fulfill what we agreed on?" Jarek spoke, pulling them both out of their thoughts. "You have to promise it in front of her."

Nathan swallowed hard, but told himself he couldn't back down now. He wasn't going to let Suzanne leave, no matter what his grandfather said.

"Fine, I promise to fulfill what we agreed on," he extended his hand to the old man.

"And me?" she murmured, looking at the floor.

"Excuse me?"

"Does my opinion not count?" she looked up, appearing somewhat annoyed. "Can't I decide what I want to do?"

"Suzanne..."

"Shut up, Nathan," the grandfather intervened. "Then tell me, dear, what do you want to do?"

She took a breath, knowing she was taking a risk, but she couldn't pretend nothing had happened, not after the horrible experience that night.

"I think the best thing I can do is... leave," she said as firmly as she could, leaving Nathan with his mouth open. "I'm not well, you won't be able to handle all that I'm carrying and..."

"And who says I can't?" Nathan interrupted her, irritated. "I can leave Jamie or Jonas in charge of the company while..."

His grandfather started laughing.

"Are you serious? Would you take care of Suzanne in her healing process?" he looked at him incredulously.

"Why do you say it like it's impossible?" he looked at him darkly.

"You can barely take care of yourself, little Nathan," the old man snorted. "You have a maid who cleans your house twice a week and you always eat out, you're used to a bachelor's life. I don't think you're capable of taking care of your woman.”

“Your woman,” impacted both of them for different reasons.

"Don't challenge me, Grandpa," Nathan frowned. "I'm not a child and yes, I want Suzanne with me 24 hours a day, is that clear?"

She looked at him, biting her lip.

"Suzanne," now he spoke directly to her, taking her by the shoulders. "I know you don't want to leave, and I don't want you to go either... can you stay? Please."

"Why would I stay?" she looked away, uncomfortable. "You blamed me for that horrible thing, do you have any idea... how that made me feel?"

Her voice broke and Nathan winced, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. He was an idiot and he knew it.

"I'm sorry, Suzanne," she looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm a brute, I don't know how to talk or what to do in a situation like this, but I can find a way, I can stay with you, go to therapy with you, whatever you want."

She blushed, looking too adorable and vulnerable, she had never seen him like this and it pushed her to make a decision, one last hope for her loving heart.

"You won't be able to do it," the old man intervened, bursting the bubble that had formed between them. "I know you, Nathan."

"People change, Grandpa," he snapped, annoyed. "Why are you interfering now? It's Suzanne's decision, only she can leave me or stay."

He looked at her again, pleading. He felt she wasn't decided and it was testing his patience, he couldn't handle the desperation.

"I... I'll stay," she finally sighed, making Nathan start to smile.

"Are you sure?" Jarek grimaced.

"Enough!" Nathan snapped, now irritated. "She already said she would stay... why do you insist on taking her away from me? What the hell do you gain from all this?" He shot him a suspicious look. "I know you too, you don't do things randomly or to help the helpless, you always have an objective that usually benefits you. Why do you want my Suzanne? Why do you want to take MY wife?"

"Don't be rude, Nathan."

"And you don't be nosy, she's my woman and I want her by my side, damn it!"

Both men stared at each other challengingly for several seconds, ones Suzanne thought would end in blows, however, one of them relented, sighing.

"Alright, but one more screw-up and I'll get rid of that damn contract," said the old man, raising a finger. "And you'll never see her again in your life. Do we agree? Suzanne?”

She just nodded, sighing. Nathan clenched his teeth, thinking it was the last straw to feel annoyed by the exchange between her and his grandfather.

“Does the old man want her as his wife? No, that's absurd.”

“Well, then we agree to meet when a year has passed since the contract was signed,” Jarek said casually, adjusting his clothes. “Suzanne, you know where to call me if you need anything... and you, be very careful with what you do, boy.”

Nathan was furious about the situation, but more so with his grandfather, who left as he had arrived, leaving him with a bitter feeling in his chest.