67

Nathan and Suzanne walked slowly through the mansion's garden. The leaves crunched under their feet, and the fresh evening air seemed to intensify the uncomfortable silence that enveloped them.

Nathan knew he had to tell Suzanne the truth, but he couldn't find the right words.

Finally, he took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Suzanne, there's something from my past that I've never told you," he began with a trembling voice. "Something I've kept hidden for years."

She looked at him with curiosity and concern.

"What is it?" she asked softly.

Nathan closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the dark days of his childhood.

"My father was a terrible man. He made life unbearable for my mother, my brother Jeremy, and me. He tormented us constantly, both physically and emotionally."

Nathan's voice broke, and Suzanne stopped, turning to face him.

"Nathan..." she whispered, not knowing what else to say.

"He beat us, humiliated us," Nathan continued, his eyes filled with pain. "My mother... she couldn't take it. One night, when Jeremy and I were just teenagers, she decided she couldn't go on and took her own life."

Suzanne brought a hand to her mouth, horrified.

"Oh, Nathan, I didn't know..."

He nodded, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"After that, Jeremy and I tried to escape his control, but... we couldn't. Jeremy also died because of him. I tried to protect him, but I failed. It was a nightmare."

A heavy silence settled between them. Suzanne felt a lump in her throat, barely able to hold back tears. Finally, she asked:

"And your father? Is he in jail?"

Nathan shook his head.

"No. He escaped recently. I think he's responsible for the attacks on my businesses. I'm afraid he wants to harm the people I love."

He looked at Suzanne meaningfully, and she felt her heart race at the implication. She couldn't believe Nathan was hinting that he loved her, especially when she thought he hated being married to her.

Her emotions were hard to control, especially since he had hidden that part of his life from her.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Suzanne reproached, her voice a mix of pain and frustration. "I was your wife, Nathan. I could have supported you."

Nathan sighed, feeling more guilty than ever.

"I didn't want to worry you. You already had enough with my boorish behavior. I could barely tell the therapist about this. It's a part of my life that's come back to haunt me."

Suzanne couldn't help but move closer to him and wipe a tear from his cheek. Her touch was gentle and comforting, and Nathan closed his eyes, savoring the contact.

For the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of hope.

"I'm very sorry for bringing up the subject and reproaching you for not telling me," Suzanne said sincerely. "But you should have trusted me. I've always been here for you."

Nathan looked at her, realizing how deeply he had hurt her.

"I know, Suzanne. I was an idiot. Because of my foolishness, I let go of a precious gem. I regret my bad decisions every day."

She looked at him with tenderness and sadness.

"Nathan, we all make mistakes. What's important is to learn from them and move forward. Now you know you're not alone."

Nathan felt warmth in his chest hearing those words.

"Thank you, Suzanne. I don't know how I could have treated you so poorly when you've always been so good to me."

They stayed there, under the slowly darkening sky, sharing a moment of connection that seemed to have been lost forever.

Although Nathan's past was full of pain, at that moment, he felt there might be a chance to redeem himself and rebuild what he had once destroyed.

…

The soft light of the bedside lamp bathed the room, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Suzanne and Nathan had just put the babies to bed, their small bodies breathing rhythmically under the blankets.

They were in the living room, sharing a moment of calm after the exhausting routine of feeding and caring for the twins.

Suzanne fidgeted uncomfortably in the armchair, trying to find the courage to ask the question that was eating her up inside.

She had seen Nathan with Valery in a gossip column, and it said they were back together. She felt bad about it, but she didn't dare ask about his love life.

"Our relationship ended a long time ago anyway, I don't think it's wise to ask..." she thought doubtfully, feeling a knot in her stomach.

Nathan, unaware of her thoughts, approached and, without warning, hugged her. Suzanne stood still and tense, her heart racing rapidly.

She felt the warmth of his body, the familiar and comforting scent of his skin. She blushed intensely, and almost immediately, he let go of her, taking a step back.

"I'm sorry, Suzanne. I apologize for crossing that line," Nathan said, clearly embarrassed.

She lowered her gaze, feeling bad despite everything.

She thought the line was drawn because he had someone. Surely Valery.

"I understand, it's because of her..." Suzanne murmured, stopping abruptly as she realized her comment.

Nathan frowned, the expression on his face reflecting confusion and a hint of curiosity.

"Her who?”
"Valery," Suzanne replied in a barely audible voice, slowly lifting her gaze. "I know you're together now..."

Nathan interrupted her before she could continue.

"We are not together, Suzanne."

"But that magazine..." she hesitated, and he understood immediately.

"What you saw in the photo and the rumors you heard are not true."

Suzanne looked at him, trying to process what he was saying.

"But I saw the photo, you looked so happy..."

Nathan gave an awkward smile.

"That's tabloid journalism for you, Suzanne. I don't have a relationship with Valery and I never will. It was just business."

"Just like our marriage, right?" Suzanne blurted out, feeling a mix of sadness and bitterness.

Nathan immediately became serious, his gaze hardening.

"Suzanne..."

She sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted.

"I'm sorry. I knew what it was from the beginning, but foolishly, I believed..."

Nathan leaned toward her, the intensity in his eyes increasing.

"What did you mean by 'foolishly believed'?"

Suzanne blushed, looking away.

The words she wanted to say were stuck in her throat, and just as she was about to respond, Nathan's phone rang. It was his friend Jamie.

Nathan answered the call, and his expression quickly changed to one of concern.

"What? Where?" he asked, his eyes dark and filled with urgency.

Suzanne watched him, her heart pounding as she saw his expressions. Nathan hung up the phone, his face tense and pale.

"Jamie saw a man in dark clothes lurking around the company building," Nathan said gravely. "I have to move before my father attacks again."

Suzanne felt a chill run down her spine.

Nathan looked at her for a moment, with a mix of apology and determination in his eyes, before quickly leaving the room.

She remained there, alone with her thoughts and fears, wondering what else fate had in store for them and if they would ever find the peace they so desperately longed for.