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"How do you know... what she wrote to me?" he asked in a low voice.

The old man smirked sardonically.

"Because I was there when she wrote it," he said, smiling. "She planned to leave without saying anything, but I convinced her to give you a slap in the face with a white glove."

"Grandfather… just tell me where my woman is," Nathan clenched his fists at his sides, furious. "I want to see her, to know that she's okay, and that my child..."

"Your child?" the old man looked at him mockingly. "Ah, that... I also convinced her to get rid of it, didn't I? Isn't that what you wanted?"

"That's a lie," Nathan hissed, feeling a knot in his throat. "She wanted to have it; she wouldn't have let herself be convinced... by you or anyone."

Jarek Strong began to laugh, making his grandson glare at him.

"You've turned pale, are you sure you're alright?" he tilted his head. "You need to learn to control your words; you don't know how hurtful they can be. Don't you agree?"

"Just tell me where Suzanne is, you damn old man!" Nathan was about to lunge at him but was stopped by one of his guards. "I'll find her, I swear I will! She and my child are fine, I know it!"

Of course, he was thrown out by the guards, landing on the ground like a cast-off, wounded and defeated.

In the following weeks, Nathan didn't leave his house, sinking deeper each day without news of her. The detective had warned him that it could take months, even years.

He was devastated; in those moments, his only companions were alcohol and solitude.

It tormented him to think that he might never find her; he was afraid to think that he might never meet his child.

…


Nathan stood in front of the imposing door of the family mansion. He had been thrown out of his grandfather’s office with a coldness that left him trembling with rage and desperation.

He could no longer trust Jarek Strong, a man who was clearly playing with him and, worse yet, with Suzanne.

“Alcohol won’t bring back my wife and child; I have to act and stay at least one step ahead of that greedy old man,” he muttered, feeling his determination grow.

The twilight bathed the garden in a golden light as Nathan moved stealthily, aware of the guards patrolling the grounds.

He knew that if they discovered him, they would stop him immediately. But he couldn’t afford to fail. Cautiously, he avoided the guards and made his way to his grandfather’s elegant study.

The door was made of solid wood, adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to mock his helplessness. Nathan took a deep breath before forcing the lock, feeling a satisfying click as it gave way.

He entered quickly and closed the door behind him, surrounded by the scent of leather and wood.

The study was a place of opulent luxury, with shelves full of ancient books and a massive desk in the center. Nathan began to frantically search the desk, looking for any clue that could lead him to Suzanne.

His hands trembled as he went through documents and letters. He felt trapped in a gilded cage, with guilt weighing on his shoulders.

He clearly remembered the day when, blinded by anger, he had asked Suzanne to get rid of the baby. Now, with each passing day without knowing anything about her, he felt increasingly desperate.

"I can't believe I was so stupid," he murmured to himself. "I saw Jarek's manipulation from the beginning and stood by, thinking I could get rid of my wife once the deal was done."

Nathan knew his grandfather, Jarek Strong, never did anything without a benefit. He was a shrewd man, always thinking about how to expand his power and control.

"He wants to keep my child and Suzanne. I must stop him, I must find out where they are to keep them safe," he told himself, with growing determination in his voice.

He couldn't just stand by while Jarek wove his intrigues.

"I was an idiot," he thought angrily. "The real enemy was always Jarek."

He couldn't afford to fail. He had made mistakes, but now he had to rectify them. For his wife, for his child, and for his own redemption.

As he searched frantically, he remembered the last conversation he had with Suzanne.

She was crying, begging him to think about their child. But he, blinded by anger and resentment at being forced to marry and learning about the pregnancy, had treated her terribly, causing stings of guilt in his chest.

"Come on, there has to be something here," he murmured to himself, rifling through the drawers. "Jarek can't have hidden everything that well."

Suddenly, he found a sealed envelope. He opened it with trembling hands and took out a letter.

It was a brief but revealing note: "Suzanne and the baby will be safe as long as you follow my orders."

Nathan felt a chill run down his spine.

"Damn old man! He's using Suzanne and my child as pawns in his game."

Nathan knew he couldn't allow it to be too late. He couldn't let his grandfather win this time.

He decided that the only way to find Suzanne's whereabouts was to follow Jarek's trail. He needed help, someone he could trust.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. His grandfather's guards were closing in. Nathan stuffed the folder under his jacket and headed for the window.

He opened it carefully and, ensuring no one was below, jumped into the garden.

He snuck towards the exit, barely avoiding the guards. As he distanced himself from the mansion, his thoughts focused on Suzanne and his child.

He couldn't allow Jarek to continue his cruel game. He had a lead now, and he was determined to use it.

Suddenly, he felt a spark of hope.

He vowed to himself that he would find Suzanne and keep her safe, no matter the cost. It was time to act, to confront his grandfather, and rescue the ones he loved.