A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

Chapter 1379

Yates brushed off Bernard’s questions, continuing to lay down the terms with a sense of urgency that couldn’t be mistaken.

“Once you’ve seen each other, you can’t breathe a word to Eleanor about how Area Opaca’s been messing with your freedom, or that there’s a chip lodged in your head. You’re not to tell her about the forced divorce or our deal. Just play it cool and keep your role as Agent 2-9.”

Bernard, clueless about Yates endgame, knitted his brows as he listened to these bizarre demands. Without spilling the beans to Eleanor, how was he going to explain his 23 days of absence, the lack of contact, and the Sophie incident that pushed her towards divorce?

As the gears turned in Bernard’s head, a sudden realization dawned on him, and his frosty gaze lifted to meet the dark mask before him. “Are you related to Eleanor?” Only a family tie would explain Yates’ fear of Eleanor learning about Bernard’s ordeals in Area Opaca.

Bernard’s sharp insight caused Yates’ fingers, resting casually on his thigh, to twitch involuntarily. “Since you’ve already figured it out, I might as well come clean.”

Yates had never intended to keep it a secret; it was a truth that would be evident the moment they met. Standing up from the couch, he approached Bernard and looked down at him from his greater height. “I saw Eleanor on surveillance, noticed she bore a striking resemblance to my late wife, and sought her out for a DNA test. Turns out, she’s my granddaughter.”

that was it…

washed over him, the light in Bernard’s eyes dimmed. “You want me to keep quiet because you’re afraid she’ll despise you if she finds out about the chip in my

not stingy with praise, even as

he was simply heartbroken for her. Having grown up without family, she must yearn for

as if to emphasize a point. “That chip in your head? It’s a ticking time bomb, liable to take you out any day now. If Eleanor knew you died because of it,

if it were removed, the residual toxins would spread the moment his skull was

implanted, his days were numbered. But if

his gaze dropping to his trembling hands, Bernard clenched his fists as if gathering all his strength. “I won’t tell Eleanor

she’d live in constant worry, she would never be

willing to bear the silent slipping away of his life rather than let Eleanor live in sorrow over his

long as she was alive and he wasn’t yet dead, there was a chance for them, as long as

cause.