The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 170

She met his gaze without flinching, her expression practically shouting, *I didn't say a word.* If she couldn't avoid Richard, she might as well use him to get Jamie a well-deserved lecture.

In the study, the atmosphere was every bit as tense as Suzie had hoped.

Richard glared at Jamie, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Do you think that just because your parents are abroad, no one can control you?”

Jamie inclined his head respectfully. “No, Grandpa. I’ve always listened to you.”

“No?! Then why don’t you explain to me exactly how you’ve been bullying Suzie?!” Richard’s voice grew even sharper. He pulled Suzie down to sit beside him on the sofa.

Turning to her, his tone softened immediately. “Suzie, my dear, don’t be afraid. I’m here now. Whatever wrong you’ve suffered, you tell me, and I’ll make it right.”

Suzie faltered. She had started this as a game to torment Jamie, but now, it all felt hollow. The only person who had ever shown her true, familial love was Richard. The rift between her and Jamie had forced her to deceive him, and the guilt had been weighing on her heavily.

When Richard promised to stand up for her, his words struck a deep chord. She had only ever known coldness and cruelty from the people who were supposed to be her family; no one had ever spoken to her with such protective care.

Tears welled in her eyes. She gripped Richard’s arm, her voice trembling. “Richard… I’m so sorry.”

The apology was for deceiving him, a confession of her own guilt. As she thought it, the tears began to fall.

He paused, then added, his voice laced with a subtle threat, “Go ahead. Tell him what really happened.”

Suzie hesitated, unsure what to say.

Richard leaned in closer to her. “I don’t believe a word he says. Suzie, you tell me yourself why you were hiding in that closet. Why are you so upset? And don’t you dare hide anything from me…”

Suzie lowered her head, not knowing where to begin. Her emotions were still tangled in her guilt over deceiving Richard, and she twisted her hands nervously in her lap.