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Nathan found himself alone in his apartment, haunted by memories of his encounter with Suzanne and their children.

He felt shattered and guilty for his past actions.

Every word he had spoken and every decision he had made now felt like thorns piercing his heart. Yet within that tangle of pain, a spark of hope burned brightly.

"It's not time yet, it was just a chance encounter," he murmured to himself, a smile creeping onto his face as he remembered the warmth he had felt in his chest.

Despite his despair, knowing Suzanne was alive and that she had two children of his own filled him with renewed hope. He wouldn't waste this chance to prove his worth and redeem himself.

He couldn't understand his grandfather Jarek's actions, but seeing Suzanne healthy and excelling as a mother greatly eased his anguish.

Days later, determined to take another step, Nathan headed to his grandfather's mansion. However, Jarek greeted him coldly.

"You should have warned us, Nathan. You can't just approach her so unexpectedly," the old man said, his seriousness leaving no room for argument.

Suzanne, who was nearby and overheard the conversation, felt a knot in her chest seeing the distress in Nathan's eyes. Yet she trusted Jarek's judgment and knew he only wanted to protect her.

"I have to show her that I've changed, Grandfather. That I can be the man she needs, the father our children deserve," Nathan insisted, his voice full of emotion.

"This isn't about what you need, Nathan. It's about what's best for Suzanne and the children," Jarek replied firmly.

Unseen, Suzanne walked away from the room where Nathan and Jarek were gathered, discussing her situation at the mansion.

As she walked through the halls, she murmured to herself:

"What do I feel for him?" she wondered, unsure how to answer that question.

Suddenly, the cries of their babies interrupted her thoughts. Suzanne hurried to see what was wrong, but she wasn't the only one who heard them.

Despite his grandfather's protests, Nathan rushed out, guided by the desperate cries of his little ones.

In the hallway, they met. Suzanne opened her mouth to say something, but shook her head and headed to their children's room, with Nathan close behind.

Nathan couldn't help but be moved seeing Suzanne whispering soft words to one of their babies. The tenderness of the scene deeply touched him.

The other baby was in the arms of a nurse, and Nathan felt a pang of envy for not being the one holding him.

Suzanne glanced briefly at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of conflicting emotions.

"They are... perfect," Nathan murmured, unable to contain the emotion in his voice.

Suzanne nodded, her gaze still fixed on their children.

"Yes, they are," she replied softly.

Nathan took a step towards her, hope shining in his eyes.

"Suzanne, I... I want to be a part of their lives. I want to be a good father to them. And more than anything, I want to make amends for what I've done wrong," his voice broke. "I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Suzanne looked at him, her own feelings in serious conflict.

She couldn't deny there were moments when she missed Nathan, but the pain and betrayal were still fresh in her memory.

"Nathan, this isn't something that gets resolved overnight. I need time... and you also need to show me that you've changed," she finally said.

Nathan nodded, determination in his gaze.

"I'll do whatever it takes, Suzanne. I promise," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

As Nathan watched Suzanne with their children, a sense of peace enveloped him. He knew the path to redemption would be long and challenging, but he was willing to walk it, step by step, for them.

And for the first time in a long while, he felt he had a real chance to redeem himself and reclaim his family.

...

The sun gently shone through the windows of the spacious room where Nathan and Suzanne sat.

Golden rays caressed their faces as they lovingly gazed at their newborn twins, peacefully lying in their cribs.

From the slightly ajar door, Jarek watched with a mix of concern and some remorse. Now, he observed the scene with a lump in his throat, aware of the pain he had caused.

Nathan broke the silence, his voice full of restrained emotion.

"Suzanne, tell me more about them. Every detail, every gesture. I want to know everything."

Suzanne smiled sadly, remembering the lost time.

"She's Isabella, and he's Matthew," she whispered with a trembling voice. "Isabella has your eyes, Nathan. And Matthew has my smile."

Nathan felt a pang in his chest hearing her speak with such love and pain intertwined.

"I'm so sorry, Suzanne. We shouldn't have gone through this."

Tears welled up in Nathan's eyes, and Suzanne looked at him with compassion, knowing how difficult it had been for him. She too struggled to contain her own emotions, wanting to be strong for their children's sake.
"Seeing them today has been the best thing that's happened to me in a long time, Suzanne," Nathan confessed, his voice breaking with emotion.

She listened in silence, her heart filled with a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. They began to talk about less painful subjects, seeking distraction in everyday concerns.

"How is the business going?" Suzanne asked, showing her concern about the recent attacks.

Nathan told her about the challenges they were facing and how he was working to secure their family's future. Then, he mentioned his father, opening a dark chapter of his past.

"My father was a difficult figure in my life. And my brother... his death was a devastating blow. And then the supposed death of you and our children..." Nathan let the sentence hang, waiting for Suzanne's reaction.

She felt bewildered.

"What death?" she asked, staring at him, a shadow of doubt crossing her face.

Nathan frowned, wondering if Suzanne was pretending ignorance or if she truly didn't know what Jarek had told her about her and their child.

"Damn it, my grandfather keeps hiding things from me," he thought, frustrated.

He decided not to say anything to Suzanne for now, not wanting to worry her more than necessary. But he was determined to talk to Jarek about this matter.

He had been separated from Suzanne and their children for too long, and now that he had them back, he wouldn't allow anything else to come between them.

Time seemed to stand still in the room as Nathan and Suzanne shared those precious moments with their babies, though the shadow of the past still weighed on them.

Nathan knew there was much to resolve, but for now, he clung to the hope of a future together, reclaiming lost time.