A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1386

Beneath Bernard's furrowed brows lay a pair of striking eyes, akin to peach blossoms in full bloom—subtle yet profound, like a star-studded night sky, complex and unreadable.

Eleanor found herself transfixed by those eyes, searching for something within them, only to realize that the stars were too distant, too elusive.

A wave of suffocation coursed through her heart, in a painfully disconcerting manner. It was as if after her heart transplant, it had become intolerant to distress. Consequently, a dull pain took inception whenever sorrow was in the offing.

But having weathered life's tempestuous seas, she seemed more rational than before.

Like now, she managed to suppress the pain, remaining composed as she gazed at Bernard.

"Why can you come and go freely from Area Opaca, yet choose not to return home? Why haven't you contacted me?"

Her voice was devoid of accusation, merely calm, seeking an answer.

Bernard, who had been looking down, finally lifted his eyes after a few seconds of silence.

"I don't want to go back home, and... I don't want to contact you."

Eleanor's heart seized, struggling to breathe. Such simple words, strung together, could be so cruel. She stared at Bernard, at the face she had longed for, and spoke softly, "Is it because of Sophie Ratliff?"

A thin smile played on Bernard's lips, his eyes curving with the gesture.

Behind the shallow mirth, he concealed the sadness in his gaze and spoke lightly, "Yes."

That single word felt like a hammer to her chest, painfully poignant. Eleanor bore the pain, peering into the eyes brimming with false gaiety.

"Bernard, you've used Sophie to hurt me three times. Once when our agreement ended, once to force a divorce from me, and now this. Each time cut deep. But...

You say it's because of her you won't come home or contact me, I don't believe it. If you could fall for Sophie, you would've done so long ago, without a thought for me."

After saying her piece, Eleanor reached out to grasp Bernard's hand, clenched at his side.

His words eased the pain in Eleanor's heart, and she gripped his hand back firmly.

"I knew you there were other reasons that forced you to stay here and not coming home. You must be under some kind of restraint by Yates Sharp that's kept you from returning."

Bernard looked helplessly at Eleanor, who was convinced of his lack of freedom, and smiled gently, "Eleanor, he hasn't restricted my freedom."

The second denial left Eleanor stunned. This time, she didn't seek reasons but simply mirrored his smile, "So, what you're saying is... you still don't want to come home or contact me?"

As Bernard nodded, the countdown in his head ceased its rapid pace, resuming its normal speed.

Without Sophie's involvement, Eleanor was evidently more rational. After a long stare at Bernard, she persisted with her theory.

"Bernard, even if you don't want to go home or contact me, you could have reached out to Aidyn or Cedric. But you didn't, which tells me you're not as free as you claim."

If Bernard was as unobstructed as he claimed, he could have left Area Opaca at any time to deliver messages to the Siren Organization or to reassure his family, specifically Evan and Gianna. But he hadn't, and for an agent on a mission to remain silent—it surely meant Bernard was anything but free.