Chapter 84
RAINA
My heart was racing, and couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling coursing through me. Enever thought I’d be in this kind of situation again–confronted by doubts, and mistrust not this early and definitely not with Nathan. But I had to admit, I didn’t know enough about him to be certain he wouldn’t put me In this position.
Nathan’s expression was unreadable as he looked around the room. Without a word, he gently be firmly took my arm and led me to the side of the room. Another day, another poll. If this kept up, my arm was going to need its own lawyer.
“What did Vivian tell you?” he asked, his voice calm but with an edgy of irritation…
ויה
1 folded my arms, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of sidestepping my question, “No, Nathan. You first. Who is she?”
He sighed, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words. “Vivian’s a coworker,” he explained. “Unfortunately, one who confessed that she flood me. I told her I wasn’t interested, but apperently, that wasn’t enough for her,”
The sincerity in his voice was hard to igre, but my mind wasn’t letting go so easily. He looked genuine–earnest, even but wasn’t that a lawyer’s greatest skill? To mask their emotions so well that no one could tell what they were really thinking? Or maybe he was telling the truth. A small part of me ching to that possibility like a lifeline.
My stomach churned as my thoughts spiraled Why would Vivian say something like that if it wasn’t true? Was she lying? Was Nathan?
1 hadn’t even realized I’d zoned out until Nathan snapped his fingers gently in front of my face. “Raina,” he said, his tone softer now, his eyes sear
searching
I blinked, snapping back to reality. Before I could say anything, he pulled out his phone and swiped through it, holding the screen out to me. There, clear as day, were dozens of texts from Vivian. The messages were blatant–confessions of love, pleses for attention, and outright declarations that she wouldn’t give up on him.
Η
“Oh,” I breathed, the weight in my chest lifting slightly, “She’s.. persistent.”
“Obsessive,” he corrected, his jaw tightening “I should’ve dealt with this somer. I’m sorry you put dragged into it
I beloved him then. Maybe it was foolish, but seeing the prout made me trust him. Vivian wasn’t just interested she was obsessed, crazier than Eliza had ever been with Alexander
But then Nathan smiled, catching in off guard. “What’s funny?” I asked, narrowing my eyes
“You,” he said simply, his tene light. “You’re jealous”
“This isn’t about jealousy,” I shot back, though I could feel the best rising to my chocks, “It’s about
“What Vivian said to you,” he interrupted, his expression dickening. “What did she say, exc
Thesitated, the memory of Vivian’s smug look flashing in my mind. “She implied.. that you two were together last night.”
him.
in seemed to
Nathen’s for clenched, and without another word, he turned on his heel and strode across the room. “Nathan!” I hissed, chasing after hin
Before I could stop him, he had pulled Vivian out of the conversation she was having and stood her directly in front of me. The entire room pause as beads turned to watch the scene unfold
“Apologize,” Nathan demanded, his voice low but firm.
Vivian blinked, her confidence faltoring for a moment. “What? Why?” she stammered, feigning innocence
“You know why,” he snapped. “Apologize to Raina,”
Vivian’s eyes flicked to me, and the look she gave was anything but apologetic. “Sorry,” she muttered, her tone insincere,
Nathan wasn’t done. His voice rose slightly, mough to capture the full attention of everyone around. “Your obsession with me stops now,” h firmly. “I don’t want you. I’ve never wanted you. The only woman I want is standing right here.”
he said
Nathan took my hand firmly in his, his grip warm but steady. He turned to the onlookers, his voice calm but resolute “Apologies for the outburst,” he said, addressing the gathering crowd. “But because Vivian has caused Raina distress, I’ll be driving her home.”
Without waiting for a response, he led me toward the exit, his hand still warm around mine. My cheeks burned, but not from embarrassmit. I was stunned–no, amazed–by his actions. He had defended me so openly, so unapologetically.
In the car, he let out a long sigh, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly before he turned to face me. “I’m sorry,” he said again, his tone calmer now. “That wasn’t how I wanted tonight to go. Vivian just… pushed me to
my
“I get it,” I replied, my voice quiet. “But I still don’t understand why she thought it was okay to come up to me like that.”
