The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 185

She had watched every home video Franco’s mom ever made for his birthdays, from the day he was born until he turned seven.

Even as a little boy, Franco had that stubborn pride about him. But you could just tell, even then, that he was someone who grew up wrapped in love. He would pull silly faces for the camera or hand his mom the first bite of his birthday cake, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Back then, Franco was such a good kid. You could see he’d grow up to be the kind of man who was gentle and warm, the sort you could count on.

But her father... her father had taken all of that away. He had killed Franco’s parents and destroyed his happy childhood.

And Franco’s grandmother, the woman who had always loved her like her own granddaughter, never once hinted at the truth. She had no idea she was raising the daughter of her son's murderer, pouring all her care and kindness into the child of her enemies.

How was she ever supposed to face that? How could she look his grandmother in the eye, knowing all those moments of warmth and protection were given to the daughter of the people who wrecked her family?

How could she even face Franco? What right did she have to demand anything of him?

She was the daughter of the man who killed his parents.

She was whispering to herself in a daze when Aaron’s voice broke through, nervous and worried. “Petty. Petty…” He was obviously panicked, but even he couldn’t have guessed it was this serious. No one could help her here. Not him, not even Hans.

Petty’s tears started falling quietly, one after another. She looked up, dazed, and saw Franco across from her.

Franco’s fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were almost white. He stared straight at her, his jaw tense, and his voice was low and rough. “Will hating you bring my parents back?”

She couldn’t answer. She just stood there, mind blank.

Of course not.

Once someone’s gone, that’s it. They’re gone. Hatred only lasts because the loss never goes away.

Franco hated her. It made sense. She was the daughter of the man who ruined everything for him.

Now it all made sense to her, too. Why Franco always pushed her away, why he treated her like she was just annoying... why he gave away the things that mattered to her most, especially after they were forced to get married. Their relationship had always been cold, almost unbearable at times.

She finally realized it wasn’t just annoyance. It was hate. Real, bitter hate.

She nodded, a little lost, barely looking at him. “You’re right. There’s no point in hating me. I should just disappear from your life for good. That way, at least you won’t have to be reminded of what my family did every time you see me.”

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