Chapter 24 

The Huffman family home was tense. Patrick had no idea what was coming for him–he only had one thing on his mind: finding Malsy. 

He kept sending gifts, hoping to win Patrick over–expensive things, heartfelt letters, even having Deanna’s old gravestone restored. Every single gift came back untouched. Not a thank you, not a word–just sent right back. 

But Patrick didn’t give up. He told his assistant to keep sending more, as if persistence alone. could fix everything. 

At the same time, the people he sent overseas to look for Maisy at the Gilmore family’s estate were all turned away at the border. They couldn’t even get out of the country. 

“What did you just say?” Patrick shot up from his chair when he heard, yet again, that his people had been blocked from leaving. 

Back when Patrick was first thrown out, a thought had struck him. He didn’t know if Maisy had really forgiven him, but he figured Patrick’s return home must have had her silent approval. If she’d wanted to make trouble, she would have done it already. So she had to be abroad. And there was only one place he hadn’t searched–the Gilmore family estate. The place he’d always been sure she’d never go back to. 

At first, he wasn’t completely certain. But after his people kept getting sent back, he was sure. Maisy was with the Gilmores. 

As soon as he realized, he rushed out the door, telling his assistant to buy the next available plane ticket. 

But he didn’t get far before a sharp voice stopped him in his tracks. 

“Stop right there!” 

Patrick turned around and saw Grandpa Huffman standing at the top of the stairs, leaning on 

his cane. 

“If you’re planning to leave the country to look for Maisy, forget it,” Grandpa said flatly. 

“Grandpa!” Patrick’s heart sank as he took a few steps back toward him. “Why?” 

A year ago, Grandpa Huffman had left for treatment overseas. He’d barely been gone a year, and already his grandson had made a disaster of things. 

He’d tried to talk sense into Patrick at the start, but Patrick had been too obsessed with Melinda to listen to anyone. 

Now that it was all over, Patrick finally wanted to make things right–but it was too late. 

Grandpa fixed him with a cold stare. “You know why.” 

Patrick’s hands curled into fists. “I know I messed up. But I need to talk to her. She divorced me 

without my consent!” 

Grandpa’s eyes narrowed. “And did you ask for her consent before you cheated?” 

“I-” Patrick started, but the words caught in his throat. Old memories hit him hard. 

When he first told Maisy he wanted an affair, she’d been devastated. She’d even asked for a divorce. But Patrick had refused, promising it was just a phase–that he’d come back when it 

was over. 

Eventually, Maisy stopped bringing it up. He’d thought she’d accepted it. 

But her actions after that said it all. 

“She never agreed, Patrick, Grandpa said quietly. “She just gave up. That’s why she left.” 

Patrick’s face changed, pain flickering in his eyes. 

“Leonard, I warned you not to take her for granted. Now you’re living with the consequences. Don’t expect her to come back. From now on, you’re on your own.” 

He turned to the butler. “Watch him. Make sure he doesn’t cause any more trouble.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

Patrick didn’t argue. He just trudged back to his room, shoulders heavy. 

He didn’t come out for days. 

For a while, even the gallery outside was quiet. The annoying figure who used to pace the stone path was gone. Patrick could finally relax, at least a little. 

He hadn’t been back in nearly five years, and it had been just as long since he’d spent any real time with his wife. Now, he figured he’d just stay home and leave all the overseas business to Maisy. 

Soon, his first birthday abroad rolled around. Maisy still didn’t come back to celebrate with him. Instead, she sent a birthday gift from overseas–delivered by someone else, not a word attached. 

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