Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3357

When he stepped outside, the first person he saw was Norah waiting for him.

Norah looked as lovely as ever, greeting him with her usual polite and well-bred demeanor. "Grandpa Hanson!"

Simon's expression was filled with shame. "Norah, I'm sorry you had to see our family make a fool of ourselves."

Norah shook her head gently. "Do you remember what I told you last time at your house?"

Simon looked a bit lost.

Norah enunciated clearly, "I told you that no matter what happened, you must believe Gonzalez. You are his father, his closest family. If you don't trust him, it will break his heart."

Simon froze, a dull ache spreading through his chest as his face flushed with profound guilt. "I... I failed him!"

"Even if he was completely drunk, he would never lay a finger on Yvonne!" Norah's gaze was clear and unwavering. "If I can be so certain of that, why couldn't you?"

"At the time..." Simon had no excuse to offer.

Norah continued, "If you had believed him sixteen years ago, he wouldn't have left you to wander out there alone for over a decade. If you had trusted him this time, Hannah and her daughter wouldn't have dared to be so arrogant, and none of this mess would have happened."

"I know it's not my place to speak to you like this, but I truly hope that the next time someone doubts him, you'll stand by his side. Please?"

"Norah!"

Gonzalez strode over.

Simon looked at his son through tear-filled eyes, too ashamed to even face him.

Gonzalez didn't even glance at his father. He simply grasped Norah's hand and led her away.

*

Back in the car, Gonzalez received a call from Damian. "Boss, that family took the kid home, so we headed back to the restaurant!"

Fearing someone might try to harm the child, they had kept watch outside all night without sleeping. Now, Zachary was already snoring in the passenger seat.

Norah pressed her lips together and nodded. "Yeah."

Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "Don't tell them I've got my memory back. I want to prank them when we go!"

"Plotting again, are we?" Gonzalez rubbed the top of her head, his tone laced with absolute adoration.

Norah playfully swatted his hand away, feigning annoyance. As she turned to look out the window, a genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

When they arrived at the apartment, Norah walked in first. The moment he turned around to close the door, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"I should have met you sooner and become your friend. That way, the first time you were wronged, I could have stood by your side so you wouldn't have had to leave for all those years."

Her soft, sweet voice was laced with an undeniable heartache that sent a surge of heat straight to Gonzalez's chest.

He turned and pulled her flush against him, his large hand cupping her cheek before he dipped his head to capture her lips.

Norah draped her arms over his shoulders, rising on her tiptoes as she closed her eyes and kissed him back with everything she had.