A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

Chapter 1385

After Yates finished speaking, he rose from his seat and left the room. In the wake of his departure,

Bernard felt the chilling countdown begin anew within his mind, the chip implanted in his brain ticking

away with relentless persistence.

The countdown, along with his remarks about Eleanor’s pregnancy, served as a stark warning to

Bernard-a reminder of the deal he had struck and Yates’ threat that he was a man of his word, and that

betrayal would not be tolerated.

Regardless of whether Bernard gave any hints or whether Eleanor could guess the direness of his

situation, it was futile. Yates’ condition was absolute: the two of them must part ways for good.

Otherwise, Yates could, at any moment and without a sound, endanger Eleanor’s unborn child.

And the chip in Bernard’s brain-it kept him tethered to Area Opaca, an invisible prison from which he

could not escape.

Trapped in Area Opaca, he couldn’t protect Eleanor or their child… He had to get out. He had to gather

all the help he could find to deal with Yates and set everything back on track.

But for now, their time together was destined to end in parting.

The thought alone made Bernard’s chest tighten, robbing him of breath, yet he kept his turmoil hidden,

simply lifting his hand to remove the mask from

his face.

At that same moment, Eleanor also took off her mask. Their eyes met, and both were filled with a

sorrow too deep for words.

They remained silent, eyes locked, until the intrusive beeping of the countdown penetrated their quiet

moment, pulling Bernard back to reality.

He stood before Eleanor, still weak from his ordeal, not crouching or sitting, just standing in the

backlight.

“You…” Bernard’s voice choked up as he started to speak, but he fought to keep his composure.

“Last time, you said it was over, that I’d never see you again. I thought…”

Eleanor looked up at him, squinting slightly as his silhouette was backlit, obscuring his expression,

“Isn’t it normal for couples to have fallouts and say harsh things in the heat of the moment? Are you still

holding onto that?”

Hearing her say this, tears threatened to spill from Bernard’s eyes, but he quickly shielded them with

his long lashes, “How could I hold onto that?”

Eleanor, slightly uncomfortable from looking up, gestured to a nearby chair, patting the cushion

invitingly for him to sit.

Once Bernard collected himself, he slowly sat down. But no sooner had he settled into the chair than

Eleanor leaned in close, her lips near his ear, “We’re under surveillance here, and it’s not safe to talk

freely. Let me whisper to you what I’ve found out, okay?”

Her voice was always gentle, like a stream trickling into his heart, prying open his very soul to pull him

out of the mire.

Bernard watched his adorable wife for a few seconds before nodding in agreement. He tilted his head

down toward her, allowing her to speak without straining and letting her warm breath tickle his ear,

igniting a spark of life within him.

This sensation reminded him that he was not just a shell of a man; he had a soul, a wife, a child-it was

a beautiful feeling.

Unaware of Bernard’s thoughts, Eleanor brought her lips close to his ear and began to share her plan

in a hushed tone.

“I won’t bother you with how I got to know Yates. Let’s focus on the essentials. You already know about

Yates’ identity, and I’ve secretly sent Area Opaca’s location to Aidyn. Next, I’ll use my clearance as 1-1

to grant you permission to leave Area Opaca. That way, you can meet up with Aidyn, and you two can

decide how to proceed. I’ll stay here and convince Yates to grant me access to every sector. When the

time comes, I’ll open the gates for you.”

Eleanor’s plan was seamless, almost perfect, and Bernard admired her brilliance. As he looked into her

eyes, it was as if he was gazing into a galaxy brimming with stars.

But even his clever wife couldn’t guess that the very surveillance she feared was embedded in his

brain, that Yates was privy to every word spoken, every plan conceived.

And Yates, ever the strategist, would never allow her to reveal Area Opaca’s location so easily.

Chances were that the moment she sent out the message, it was intercepted by a hacker.

Despite it all, his wife was brave-so incredibly brave-and she loved him, deeply. It pained Bernard to

think that he was about to fail her again.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Eleanor asked, pulling back to look at him when he didn’t respond,

her brows knitting together in confusion at his silent beauty.

Bernard, feeling the countdown hasten, sat up straighter. His gaze was downcast in despair, but when

he looked up, it was filled with complexity, “Eleanor, leave this to me.

“But…” She started to object, her brow furrowed in bewilderment, “How will you leave if he’s restricted

your moverments?”

He clenched his fists in his lap, the nails digging into his palms.

“He hasn’t restricted my movements. I… can come and go from Area Opaca as I please.”

His voice, no longer as cold as before, still sent shivers down Eleanor’s spine, leaving her feeling cold

and distant.

She stared at Bernard, the man sitting before her both the most familiar and the most alien presence in

her life, and she felt an overwhelming sense of separation…