Favo Novel
Chapter 1521
Finn's voice carried a gentleness that felt almost tangible. For a brief moment, it transported Janine back 20 years to a life that felt like a dream. Back then, their marriage in that little countryside village had been the envy of everyone. Everyone admired their love for each other.
People would say, "If you're looking for a husband, find one like Finn who treats his wife like a queen. And for a wife, there's no one better than Janine -understanding and kind. With a couple like that, life can only get better and better."
Janine looked at Finn, her eyes meeting his. He appeared apologetic. However, something about the look in his eyes seemed off. There was no genuine remorse in them.noveldrama
She froze.
Despite the 20 years that had passed, Janine knew him all too well. They had been married for years, and before that, they had known each other for much longer. Despite the two decades apart, Janine could still sense that Finn's apology wasn't as sincere as it appeared.
This realization brought a wave of calm over her. Her years in the workplace had honed her composure, giving her the ability to face even the most urgent situations with a level head.
By now, Janine had shifted from her initial shock to a state of composed detachment. Her voice was calm as she said, "I won't lie I'm surprised." Finn's expression shifted. He hadn't expected this reaction. He was well aware of how deeply Janine had loved him more than two decades ago. After so many years apart, seeing Janine again, so indifferent, left him with an uncomfortable feeling he couldn't quite describe.
Clearing his throat, Finn launched into the explanation he had prepared on the way over. "When I woke up after the accident, I realized someone had saved me. By the time I could walk again, months had passed. During that time, I heard people saying there had been another accident, and they believed you were all gone.
"I couldn't bring myself to go back. I thought it would be too painful, to see the place we shared, filled with memories. It must've been so hard for you all these years."
He had rehearsed this narrative meticulously, confident it would evoke Janine's sympathy. She had always been so simple, so pure. She would believe him if he shared his struggles.
In hindsight, he regretted not telling the same story to their children.
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But their reactions had been too intense. The hostility they harbored toward him was palpable. When he first approached them, he had naively assumed his reappearance would bring them joy. Surely, every child would want their father back.
Instead, he found nothing but distance and resentment in their eyes.
Janine's gaze flickered slightly at Finn's words. She didn't respond immediately, instead staring thoughtfully at the man before her.
Finn grew visibly uneasy under her scrutiny. He avoided her eyes and focused instead on the coffee cup in his hands.
"I understand this must be a lot to take in all at once. The truth is, I owe you an apology. These past years, I've let you shoulder everything alone- raising the kids, running the household."
Janine's expression didn't change.
Instead, she calmly replied, "Since you've managed to find me, it's clear you've known we were here in Jipsburg for a while. Charles
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now.
"As his father, you must have recognized him long ago. If you're only approaching me now, there must be a reason. So, tell me, what do you want?" Finn was caught off guard by her straightforwardness. "What... Why would you think that?" he stammered.
"You've been gone for 20 years, Finn. I can barely accept your excuse, but even if I try to believe you, you've had no contact with your own parents either.
"You watched me take care of them until the end. That alone tells me your departure wasn't an accident. It was planned, wasn't it? And if I'm right, you've likely started another family."
Her analysis was calm and measured. With age came perspective. Life's challenges, the complexities of human behavior—Janine had seen them all.
The inte had also broadened her
understanding of just how absurd and unpredictable people could be. Compared to some of the stories she had encountered, Finn's actions didn't seem all that unusual.
20 years had passed and her children had all grown up now. As for this man, who had suddenly reappeared in her life, she felt no expectations toward him.
Finn's face flushed and paled in turns as her words sank in. He hadn't expected time to change not only himself but Janine as well. She wasn't as easy to fool as before.
More than that, it stung to realize that Janine had no emotional attachment left for him. If she had, she wouldn't be this distrustful, this indifferent.