A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel 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."

So that was it...

As understanding 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 brain?"

"You're a smart man," Yates complimented, not stingy with praise, even as Bernard's lips curled into a sardonic smile.

"Shouldn't you cherish the family you've finally found? Why be so cruel to her?" Bernard hadn't even pondered who Eleanor's kin was; he was simply heartbroken for her. Having grown up without family, she must yearn for that bond. Yet her own grandfather was using him as an executioner to strike at her heart.

Yates neither confirmed nor denied Bernard's words. Instead, he extended a gloved hand and tapped Bernard's temple 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, she'd never forgive me."