71

Nathan had it tough, having to console a terrified Suzanne while waiting for the ambulance, concentrating on the chaos around him as the police arrived.

Several police officers approached them, and although Nathan was clearly exhausted, his expression was one of immense relief seeing his father being taken into custody.

"Well done, son," said the policeman, placing a hand on Nathan's shoulder.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, officers," Nathan said in a hushed voice, staring intently at the man who called himself his father.

He was more than that, the man who had taken away much of his family, and for whom he felt not a shred of affection, but quite the opposite.

A lump formed in his throat, and he shook his head, telling himself that it was all over now, though for some reason, the threat of Richard still lingered in his mind.

Despite him being in custody, Nathan couldn't stop worrying about his grandfather Jarek.

The arrival of the ambulance, though only a couple of minutes after the police, felt like an eternity. Seeing Jarek lying motionless on the ground, pale and frail, filled Nathan with a fear he hadn't felt in a long time.

Finally, the paramedics took Jarek away on a stretcher. Suzanne asked to go with him, and Nathan agreed to let the officers stay and guard the house while they went to the hospital.

In the car, Suzanne was biting her nails, a clear sign of her anxiety.

"Jarek is a strong old man, Suzanne," Nathan tried to console her, though deep down he feared losing him too.

The thought that Richard could take another loved one from him returned with force, echoing in his mind.

"I know, Nathan, but I can't help being scared," she replied with a trembling voice.

The road to the hospital had never seemed so long to Nathan. Every red light, every curve, felt like insurmountable obstacles.

Suzanne was silent, lost in her thoughts, and Nathan fought against the wave of memories and fears that assaulted him.

Upon arriving at the hospital, they ran to the reception, asking about Jarek. A nurse informed them that he was stable but would be kept under observation due to a severe heart attack.

Suzanne, with tears in her eyes, threw herself into Nathan's arms, seeking comfort.

"He's stable, Suzanne. He's stable," Nathan whispered, though he felt his chest tighten with worry.

Suzanne's closeness, after all that adrenaline, was the only thing keeping him standing.

Feeling her warm body against his reminded him of all those moments they had shared. Her hair smelled as it always did, that scent that had accompanied him in his dreams and nightmares.

Nathan kissed her hair, feeling a mixture of calm and nostalgia.

"Nathan..." she whispered, and their gazes met.

He felt a shiver run down his spine, and he saw the pain reflected in Suzanne's eyes, those sad eyes he loved so much.

He caressed her cheek, feeling her shiver under his touch.

"Suzanne..." Nathan murmured, and she closed her eyes, parting her lips slightly.

It was an invitation, one he couldn't resist. He kissed her, feeling his heart leap in his chest and his hands tremble.

Suzanne clung to the lapels of his suit, standing on tiptoe to deepen the kiss.

Nathan cupped her cheeks, feeling Suzanne's tears begin to wet his face. Their tongues met, merging in a kiss filled with desperation and nostalgia.

Suddenly, Suzanne started crying harder, and Nathan pulled back a little, looking at her with concern.

"Suzanne, what's wrong?" he asked, trying to understand her pain.

"It's just..." she tried to speak between sobs, "all this is so hard. I thought I had lost you forever, Nathan. I thought there would be no more us."

Nathan hugged her tightly, feeling her tears wetting his neck. He felt that he loved her more than ever and would do anything to see her smile and laugh again.

"I never lost you, Suzanne. Never. And I won't let that happen again," he promised, his heart racing.

They stayed there, in the hospital hallway, clinging to each other.

Nathan knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but at that moment, with Suzanne in his arms, he felt they could face anything together.

...

After an hour, Nathan and Suzanne were sitting in a waiting room, surrounded by empty chairs and outdated magazines.

The tension in the air was palpable, and the hospital's atmosphere filled them with an almost suffocating oppression as they waited for news about Jarek.

After a long time, Suzanne finally calmed down. Her eyes met Nathan's, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Nathan smiled, a gesture mixing amusement and tenderness.

"I've wanted to kiss you, Suzanne. For a long time," Nathan said, his voice laden with sincerity.

She opened her eyes in surprise, her blush deepening as she tried to process Nathan's words.

"Really?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Nathan nodded, his smile widening at Suzanne's reaction. They both seemed to be trapped in a bubble of happiness, oblivious to the outside world.

Their eyes reflected the feelings they had left unfinished and desperately sought to continue.

"You can go home with the kids," Nathan finally said, breaking the momentary spell. "I'll stay with Grandpa.”

Suzanne shook her head with a determined expression.

"No, I couldn't sleep until Jarek is completely well," she replied, gently squeezing Nathan's hand.

Nathan's smile turned sad, but he appreciated Suzanne's gesture. Before he could respond, a doctor came out of a nearby room.

"Mr. Jarek will have to stay for a few days to make sure everything is fine," the doctor informed them in a professional tone.

Nathan nodded, looking at Suzanne.

"I can call a taxi for you if you want."

Suzanne shook her head again, firmly.

"We leave together or stay together," she said without hesitation.

Nathan sighed and turned to the doctor.

"Can I see my grandfather?"

The doctor nodded, and Nathan entered the room. Jarek was surrounded by machines monitoring his breathing and heart rate.

Seeing his grandfather in that state moved him deeply. Jarek, who had always been a strong and imposing figure, now looked vulnerable.

Nathan approached the bed, taking the old man's hand.

"Grandpa, you have to get better. Richard can't keep hurting this family. You are the pillar of all of us," Nathan said, tears in his eyes.

Suzanne, who had followed Nathan, put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Suddenly, Jarek opened his eyes and looked at his grandson with a weak smile.

"Nathan, take care of Suzanne and her babies. I'm strong and just need a few days to recover," his voice was hoarse. "Suzanne, dear, don't worry... I made you a promise, and I will keep it."

Suzanne couldn't hold back her tears and kissed Jarek on the forehead.

"You are a good and amazing man, Jarek. You have to come home," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Taking Nathan's hand, Suzanne led him out of the room. They decided it was time to go home.

Nathan led her to his car, but just as they were about to leave, they were intercepted by a group of journalists.

"Nathan! Suzanne! How is Mr. Jarek?" one of them asked, holding a microphone.

Nathan and Suzanne exchanged a bewildered look, unsure how to respond to the barrage of questions being thrown at them.

The bubble of happiness they had been in burst abruptly, confronting them once again with reality and the outside world.