Chapter 1362
Thinking of her final video message, where she declared that she’d forget him, forever banish him from
her memory, Yates felt the moisture welling up in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
“Your grandmother, she was always so impatient. If she had only waited for me, your mother would
have had a happier life…”
Pauline had always favored her daughter, so she sent her away. Was it only to protect her, or was it
also to spite him?
After some thought, Yates could only conclude that this must have been the reason for her to tell him in
her video that she only had two children.
After all, their entire relationship was based on competition. From their very first encounter, she was
always pushing against him.
“Do you think Pauline would get so angry over you marrying another woman that she’d give away her
own child? Was there something else?”
“Yes.”
Eleanor thought he would deny it, but to her surprise, he nodded.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I stepped between her and her first love. She’s held a grudge ever since.”
He did not disclose much, but Eleanor was able to grasp the crucial information.
“Who was her first love?”
Yates sharp eyes clouded over, “An annoying man.”
Before Eleanor could probe further, Yates cut her off, steering the conversation in a different direction.
She studied his troubled expression for a moment before continuing, “So, Pauline hated you more than
she loved you, didn’t she?”
Yates didn’t take offense at her pointed question and simply chuckled, nodding in agreement.
“You could say that.”
“Then why did she have children with you?”
Yates straightened, locking eyes with Eleanor’s inquisitive gaze, “That’s a more complicated question.
You should be able to relate.”
Eleanor knew what he was implying that she had also loved two men. Her face darkened, but Yates
continued, “In life, we tend to love a few people. The question is, who do we love the most?”
With that, he gave Eleanor a meaningful look.
“You loved Bernard most, so you were willing to have his child. It was the same with Pauline.”
Eleanor, her emotions laid bare, did not argue with Yates.
“I don’t know the details of what happened between you and Pauline, and you don’t know what
happened between me and Bernard. Let’s not compare.”
Mention of Bernard reminded Yates of the man who had nearly died from an infected wound in the
biohazard zone. He grimaced but did not share the truth with Eleanor.
“Everyone has their own stories. I won’t judge your past, and you should not judge mine. Let’s just
discuss whether you’ll come home with me.”
“No.” Eleanor’s answer was firm and decisive.
Yates looked at Eleanor, taking a moment before speaking again.
“I know you have grievances against me, but if I could do it all again, I would not choose the second
option. I would marry her, no
matter what.”
With that, he thought of Vanya, who had died on the streets. A rare look of pain crossed his aged face,
“Then, your mother wouldn’t have met such a fate, and you… and your sister…”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmYates paused, reaching out to gently pat Eleanor’s hand as she prepared the tea, “Eleanor, I’m sorry
for coming too late and causing you so much hardship.”
His words brought a tear to Eleanor’s eyes.
“It’s over now. I don’t need anything.” She replied.
“But you do.” Yates grabbed her hand, pleading earnestly, “Come home with me. Let me make up for
all the wrongs in the time I have left.”
Eleanor hung her head, remaining silent as Yates continued, “I don’t want to live the rest of my life in
regret. I hope you can give me a chance to reunite with my daughter’s children.”
Eleanor remained quiet, and Yates tried to appeal to her emotions, “I’m in my seventies, I don’t have
much time left. Let me do something for my granddaughter before I go.”
At this, Eleanor looked up at the old man sitting in front of her. His hair was white and his face covered
with wrinkles, clearly showing his age.
She wasn’t sure how much time he had left, but she could see the guilt in his eyes.
“If Pauline hadn’t tricked me back then, I would have found Vanya, no matter where she was.”
Yates seemed to be trying to make up for his regret over Pauline by focusing on Vanya’s daughter.
Her other two sons were well cared for, but he had come too late for Vanya.
The old man felt guilty and wanted to make up for his love for Vanya by caring for her daughter.
Eleanor understood why Yates wanted to take her home, but Canada was so far away…