63

Months had passed slowly, each day heavier than the last.

Nathan walked down the long hallway leading to his grandfather Jarek Strong's office. The call he had received the night before still echoed in his mind:

"Come see me tomorrow, I've found your father."

When he reached the door, he took a deep breath and knocked. Jarek's deep voice invited him in.

"Nathan, have a seat," said the old man, pointing to the chair in front of his desk.

Nathan sat down, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope.

"I've found your father, Richard," Jarek announced with a serious expression.

Nathan was speechless for a moment, then his surprise turned into restrained anger.

"Where is he?" he asked with clenched fists.

He wanted to finish him with his own hands, make him pay for all the suffering he had caused everyone.

"He has been attacking other companies in different cities across the United States. But we have a solid lead on his current whereabouts," Jarek confessed. "We'll get him, you'll see. I told you, you could trust me."

Nathan jumped up, hitting the table.

"It has to stop! He needs to go back to jail!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the office. "Make it happen, grandpa, only then will I have peace with all these deaths..."

Jarek watched him calmly, though his eyes showed a shadow of concern.

"We'll do everything we can, Nathan. But there's something else you need to know..."

Nathan frowned, suspecting his grandfather was hiding something from him. Why was he not surprised by something like this? Jarek had always been very secretive.

"What aren't you telling me, grandpa?" Nathan questioned with growing interest.

Jarek looked out the window, avoiding his grandson's gaze.

"I don't think this is the right time for that. You need to focus on your father."

Nathan glared at him.

"What are you hiding from me?"

Jarek knew he couldn't reveal the truth about Suzanne and the babies. He sighed, thinking about Nathan's possible reaction.

"Suzanne wants to see him and for him to meet his children, but I can't tell him that her death was a farce. He'd probably want to kill me," Jarek thought with a grimace.

"Nothing that should concern you now, Nathan. Focus on what's important," he finally said.

Nathan looked at him with distrust but decided not to insist. He knew his grandfather could be stubborn.

Days later, while walking through the city, Nathan saw a woman next to a baby stroller.

His heart stopped for a moment. She looked so much like Suzanne. He quickly approached, but when he reached the corner, she was already gone.

"Suzanne!" he shouted desperately.

Confusion and despair flooded him. His eyes filled with tears as he tried to process what he had just seen.

"Am I hallucinating? Haven't I gotten over this?" he asked himself in a low voice.

The pain in his chest was overwhelming.

He knew that the loss of Suzanne was something he could never fully get over. But this was different, more real, as if she was really there.

What Nathan didn't know was that his grandfather had brought Suzanne back to the city under strict surveillance. But Suzanne had escaped, and now Nathan was dangerously close to discovering the truth.

That same night, one of Jarek's guards entered his office with a worried expression.

"Sir, Nathan has seen Miss Peyton."

Jarek stood up from his chair, his face pale.

"Damn it, I didn't count on this. We need to act quickly."

Jarek Strong was determined to keep the truth hidden a little longer. He knew Suzanne had a free spirit and would not take well to restrictions, but he had no other choice.

He ordered his guards to watch her 24 hours a day, aware that their task would not be easy. Suzanne was clever and, sooner or later, she would discover their presence.

Indeed, it wasn't long before Suzanne realized she was being followed. At first, she thought it was a coincidence, but soon she noticed the persistence of the men watching her.

Furious, she went straight to Jarek's mansion.

She entered his office without warning, her eyes sparking with fury.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jarek?" she shouted, slamming the door behind her.

Jarek, surprised by her sudden intrusion, looked up from his papers.

"Suzanne, calm down, I can explain..."

"I don't want explanations!" she interrupted, her voice trembling with anger. "I knew something was up when I saw those men following me. I'm not stupid, Jarek. I'm grateful for what you've done for my babies and me, but I know you're hiding something from me."

Jarek sighed, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of exhaustion.

"It's for your safety, Suzanne. I don't want Nathan to discover the truth yet. He's not in a condition to handle it.”

Suzanne looked at him with a mix of incredulity and resentment.

"Conditions? Are you referring to his emotions?" she said sarcastically. "I know I still hold a grudge, Jarek. But I'm not so blind as to not realize that you played a part in our separation."

Jarek held her gaze, knowing she was right to some extent.

"I did it to protect you," he insisted. "Nathan wasn't in his best state. I couldn't risk him hurting you, even if it was unintentional."

Suzanne crossed her arms, pressing her lips together.

"And what now? Do you plan to keep me under constant surveillance until you think he's ready? You can't control us forever, Jarek."

He lowered his gaze, feeling the weight of his decisions.

"I know, Suzanne. But I need more time. Just a little more."

Suzanne took a step toward him, her eyes filled with determination.

"Listen to me, Jarek. I'm tired of your games. I've been patient, I've accepted your help, but this has to end. Nathan and I have unfinished business, and I think I deserve to know the whole truth."

Jarek nodded slowly, aware that the time had come to face the consequences of his actions.

"You're right. You deserve to know the truth. But promise me you'll be patient a little longer. For the children's sake, for your own."

Suzanne looked at him silently for a long moment, then nodded.

"I promise, Jarek. But let it be clear, this won't drag on much longer. I want answers, and I want them soon."

Jarek watched her leave the office, feeling a mix of relief and fear. He knew the truth couldn't stay hidden forever, and he dreaded what would happen when it finally came to light.

Suzanne, for her part, left the mansion with a heavy heart.

She still held a grudge against Nathan. She believed that he hadn't been by her side willingly, that Jarek had been unable to hide her or her babies from the father of her children.

She couldn't help but remember the times she had felt his absence, the sleepless nights caring for her children without the presence of the man she loved.

Walking through the city streets, her thoughts were a whirlwind.

"Why, Nathan? Why weren't you by my side when I needed you most?" she asked herself over and over again.
She didn't know if she could ever forgive him, nor if he could ever understand the pain she had felt.

But one thing was certain: the truth had to come out, and when it did, everyone would have to face their own demons.

Nathan, meanwhile, was in his room, unable to sleep.

Thoughts of Suzanne tormented him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was happening around him, something he couldn't yet understand.

"I have to find out the truth," he said to himself, determination burning in his eyes.