The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 525

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She stared at those final two words—*mutual affection*—as the light in her eyes slowly dimmed.

She remembered back when she was hospitalized recently, Jamie had pleaded for a chance to talk things out properly.

He had brought up the early days of their marriage. How, late one night, she had talked in her sleep, crying out for someone not to leave her. From that moment on, the seeds of misunderstanding had been planted, and he had intentionally shut her out.

Human nature was a fickle thing. Once suspicion took root, even the slightest breeze could fan the flames of doubt. And with the cascade of incidents that followed, everything had only spiraled worse and worse.

Back then... had he actually harbored feelings for her too?

Why did Richard's description sound so much like they were discussing his 'dream girl'?

Had she truly been the embodiment of the wife he had always envisioned?

And his desire for 'mutual affection'—was that really what he wanted with her?

Despite the revelations swirling in her mind, Suzie slowly pushed his hand away. After a heavy silence, she finally spoke.

"Yes, your grandfather did mention this to me. But my answer to him was: no. I don't want to marry you. You were injured, so maybe your grandfather just hasn't had the chance to tell you yet."

Her voice was light, incredibly calm as she spoke.

At the very beginning, he had wanted to build a real life with her. But misunderstandings had festered in his heart. Given his ruthless nature, his volatile personality, and the overwhelming "evidence" stacked against her back then, it wasn't surprising that he had driven himself mad enough to try and terminate her pregnancies.

Honestly, if it were any other man, they probably would have snapped under those circumstances too.

But by that same token, Suzie had snapped too. She was the one who had been wrongfully accused, humiliated, and forcibly dragged to a hospital against her will.

Even now, knowing the entire truth behind why he had iced her out—knowing it was all one giant, tragic misunderstanding—it didn't matter.

She knew they could never go back.

The trauma and injustice she had suffered were embedded in her very bones. They were a part of her now. She simply didn't have it in her to forgive him...