Chapter 24 24
Jack turned to face Rayan. His expression was serious. “I’ve left everything behind for Bee. I want her to forget Nathan and build a life of her own. That’s why I don’t want anyone from Silverbrook to know where she is, especially Nathan.”
“I took a risk trusting someone close to Nathan. Don’t make me regret it,” Jack said to Ryan, his eyes fixed on his daughter, Brooke, sitting quietly in the waiting area.
Ryan shook his head. “I won’t, Doctor Turner,” he said firmly. But a flicker of guilt pricked at him. He'd nearly broken that trust during their car ride.
He paused, his voice softening slightly.
“I also don’t want you to update Bee on anything concerning him. It wasn’t part of our agreement, but it’s just as important. She’s finally beginning to move on, and that’s all I want. For my daughter to find happiness again, doing something I know she loves.”
Ryan’s guilt deepened. He nodded slowly. “I promise to keep my word, Doctor Turner.” This time, he meant every syllable.
He’d wanted to tell Brooke the truth about Keren. how she’d been manipulating Nathan, how she’d gone so far as to stage her own assault just to draw sympathy and attention. Matt had been feeding him updates from Silverbrook, including Nathan’s belief that Ryan had something to do with it all.
But now, Ryan knew silence was the better choice.
Jack continued, his tone calm but filled with regret. “Bee sacrificed everything to be with Nathan. He couldn’t do the same. I don’t blame the boy entirely. He wasn’t ready for marriage at such a young age.”
Jack exhaled softly, the weight of old mistakes in his voice. “I blame myself for letting it happen and Robert, for pushing the boy into it. Still, Nathan could have tried harder. He didn’t.”
He glanced again toward his daughter through the glass, watching as Brooke turned a page in her book, calm and distant.
“Anyway,” Jack let out air from his mouth. His attention turned to Rayan. “Bee’s on the right path now. She’s bright and determined. She'll finally fulfill her dream”
"I am telling you this because I need you to understand. If anything is happening in Silverbrook that could tempt her into wanting to go back there. I don't want you to ever bring it up to her. I want you to keep all that to yourself." Jack added.
"I understand that doctor Turner." Ryan acknowledged. "But to some extent, I understand where Nathan is coming from."
"First, he and Matt had plans that after college, they were going to go on a world tour. They wanted to explore different parts of the world. That already has lots of places they wanted to go and things they would like to do. After that, he will come back and build the family business. Expand his own empire by extending the family business to other territories."
"Marriage wasn't part of his plan that early. Honestly, to some extent, I understand where Nathan is coming from. His whole plan was ruined."
Ryan continued, sitting on a chair close to him.
"I am not saying divorce was the solution to the problem. He was also put in a situation where he would be confused about what to do."
"Although, if I were him, I would never divorce a person like Bee -"
Ryan was cut off by Jack as he began to speak.
"It is all in the past now. We have already made wrong decisions for the kids. Now it's time for me to make things right for my daughter. She will have an opportunity to begin her life afresh. I feel this is a better decision for us all. In the end, it will make Bee happy and also her mother and I." He ended with a small smile.
Two days has passed
Back in Silverbrook, Matt is driven past the checkpoint set near their street. He shook his head with a small laugh.
"Oh, Nathan is too serious about finding Keren as if she had committed a grave offense." He said to himself.
Nathan made sure to request for police checkpoints all around the city to find Keren. He was not going to let it go so easily. Since the city owed him a lot for the things he contributed to, it was easy for him to have his way with the security.
Matt was about to open the gate to their mansion, when the automatic operator refused to work. He had to get down from the car to open the gate automatically.
Soon, he noticed the same car that he saw some days ago leaving the Parks mansion, leaving again. He finally opened the gate but then, the same car drove back to the Parks gate.
Mr Parks stepped out of the car and went to open the gate. He looked older than the last time Matt saw him. Mr parks also looked like he was pissed at someone.
Matt decided to approach the man and find out if the man was back with his family. He crossed to the other side of the road.
"Hell, Mr Parks. It's great to see you again. It's been a while. Have you finally decided to return to Silverbrook?"
Mr. Parks gave him an unknown look with a knitted brow.
Matt went ahead to introduce himself properly. It is possible that the man has forgotten who he is.
"I am Matthew Michael. I attended high school with your daughter, Georgina Parks."
"Oh! Right. Matthew." Evan said with a smile. "No. I am just here for a short visit." Evan said nervously.
Matt couldn't help but notice the figure inside the tinted car. The lady is clearly a blonde.
"That is Georgina. She also came with me for the short visit but we will be leaving soon." Evan said before he was even asked.
"I have to go now." Evan said, without giving Matt a chance to say another word.
He got into the car and drove into the house.
"I guess Georgina doesn't enjoy having red hair after all." Matt said out loud.
He only gave a short wave. The behavior of the man was just so strange. Matt raised his shoulders and let them fall before walking back to his own car and driving into their own house.