The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 301

Hayden Wycliffe continued, "Suzie, I can go back and take over the family business. If we liquidate this studio and everything we currently have, it will be more than enough to cover the damages."

Tears shimmered in Suzie Sterling's eyes. Her trembling lips parted slightly. "Hayden. From now on, you're family to me. My real family."

Hayden slipped his hands into his pockets, a teasing smile on his face.

"What? It takes a massive favor for you to finally claim me as family?"

She let out a watery laugh, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"I've always thought of you that way." Suzie's voice choked with emotion. "Honestly, I'm so tired of hiding these past few years. Every time I took the kids to the park, the playground, or anywhere else, I had to bundle us up in hats and sunglasses just to take a picture. I didn't even dare take them out to a restaurant myself. Every single trace of my identity had to be masked using your information, or I had to rely on Oliver and Stella to cover my tracks. I've been an endless burden to everyone around me."

A fresh wave of emotion crashed over her. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry, and took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Later, when I finally saved up a little money, I thought about taking them overseas. But the thought of uprooting our lives felt too much like fleeing. If I did that, I'd probably live with the guilt forever. So, I've made up my mind."

Suzie looked up at Hayden, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I'm done running. I'm not hiding anymore."

A myriad of emotions swirled in Hayden's chest. He met her gaze, his voice dropping to a cautious whisper.

"Suzie, you need to tell me the truth. Did he ever abuse you? Did he ever hit you, or anything else?"

Suzie shook her head. "He just believed I betrayed him, and his pride couldn't handle the blow."

Hayden frowned. "Couldn't he have done a paternity test during the pregnancy? If he had doubts, why not just wait until the babies were born to find out for sure?"

"Hayden, I'm not acting on impulse, and I'm not doing this for anyone else. I'm just sick of being a ghost. I want to start a real, fresh life."

The intense worry etched into Hayden's features slowly melted into a look of proud relief. He gave a slow nod.

"Alright. Just like your friends, I'll support whatever you decide, unconditionally. But from now on, do you want me to assign a few bodyguards to tail you?"

Suzie offered him a faint smile, turning her gaze toward the bustling city skyline beyond the glass window.

"No need," she murmured, her voice drifting off as if she were speaking to herself.

"It's been over four years. A man who never truly cared about me to begin with has probably forgotten I even exist. I let my own paranoia convince me to hide from him for all these years."