A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1451

Eleanor waved off Peterson casually, her tone light and unaffected, “It’s none of your business, Peterson. You were following orders. Besides, you helped me out.”

Peterson’s gaze dropped, masking the guilt in his eyes. When he looked up again, it was to the swell of her pregnant belly. “Have you picked out a name for the little one yet?”

Following his gaze, Eleanor glanced down and shook her head. “Not yet, got any suggestions?”

His eyes flicked to the man standing nearby, waiting patiently for Eleanor. “With him around, I wouldn’t dare suggest a name for your kid.”

Eleanor looked up at Bernard, tall and striking, his handsome features edged with a noble chill. “He may seem frosty on the outside, but he’s soft on the inside. You’ll see, Peterson, once you get to know him.”

Bernard was always good to those he wanted to protect, those he valued. It was why guys like Caleb, Aidyn, and Scott had pledged their loyalty to him for life.

“Get to know Bernard?” Peterson chuckled, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll come visit you and the little one, but as for him, well, we’ve had our brawls in the Area Opaca.”

And because of Grandpa’s legacy, a cordial relationship between them was next to impossible. Of course, if Peterson could settle the score for Grandpa and if Bernard was willing, he might let bygones be bygones for Eleanor’s sake.

“You’ve fought with him?” Eleanor’s eyebrows knit together. “And… did you win?”

Challenged, Peterson rolled up his sleeves to reveal his muscular arms with a cocky tilt of his chin. “You don’t think I can win?”

Eleanor laughed at his bravado. “So, you’re pretty strong, huh?”

Peterson grinned. “You just think your husband can do no wrong.”

Their banter was cut short by Yates, who had been waiting patiently. “Time to board, kiddo.”

He looked Eleanor up and down, a note of approval in his voice. “You’re looking better, healthier, and a bit plumper than a month ago. Seems you’ve been doing well.”

Eleanor’s good mood soured at the sight of Yates, her impatience clear. “I’m back in my own home, free from captivity, of course I’m doing better.”

Her words were laced with sarcasm, leaving Yates feeling awkward and apologetic. “I’m sorry for what happened before, but I really did think Bernard was bad news because of his beef with Area Opaca. I didn’t want you mixed up in that.”

Eleanor had no interest in his excuses. “From now on, we keep to our own paths. If you threaten my husband again, don’t expect any kindness from me.”

Yates’s heart sank at his granddaughter’s coldness. “Honey, I won’t threaten Bernard anymore. I won’t interfere with your life together.”

Eleanor gave him a frosty look and turned away, leaving Yates without a reason to stay. He stepped back to give Peterson a moment to say goodbye.

Peterson, sensing the finality of their parting, opened his arms for a hug. “Let’s hug it out. Until next time.”

Eleanor, touched by her cousin’s affection, embraced him briefly before letting go.

Peterson stepped back with a wave. “If I think of a good name for the baby, I’ll let you know.”

Eleanor waved back, watching him blend into the crowd of suited and tied men heading into the airport. When he was gone, she turned to Bernard, “Honey.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s go home.”

“Alright.” Bernard took her by the waist and helped her into the car.

Eleanor’s back ached from standing too long, so Bernard massaged it tenderly all the way back to Fiord Roundabout.

Being seven months into her pregnancy, Eleanor often experienced discomfort, regardless of whether she was standing or sitting. Whenever her legs went numb or cramped up in the middle of the night, Bernard was always by her side, massaging them to relieve the discomfort. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

He was attentive to every sigh, every uncomfortable shift, and his concern was palpable, wishing he could take on the burden of pregnancy himself.

Meanwhile, Evan relayed news that Yates had confronted Xavier, their clashes evenly matched until a desperate Yates forced Xavier to surrender.

Xavier claimed innocence, blaming their fathers for past wrongs, and argued he shouldn’t pay for their sins. Yates didn’t kill him, but when Xavier’s treachery left Peterson injured and nearly dead, Yates’s hand was forced.

Xavier’s death at Yates’s hands was foreseeable, yet Evan grieved, having thought Xavier might save himself by revealing his lineage to Yates. But Xavier never did.