Chapter 99
His tone was sharp, protective, and relentless. I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to shake him off. “One of Nathan’s coworkers,” I admitted reluctantly.
The second the
- lelt my lips, Dom’s expression shifted. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Nathan,” he repeated, his voice laced with
“Don’t start,” I warned, slidestepping him.
He followed me, his footsteps heavy with purpose. “He’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about,”
1 spam around, my patience officially depleted, “What now, Dom? Let me pass–lir’s intrestworthy, digrons, not word my time?
Bam’s face hardened, “You know I’m right. Alex has been telling you the same thing, and you’re too sudilon to listen. That guy is trouble, Raina“.
I threw my hands in the air. “I don’t even know where Nathan is! He’s gone, okay? And it’s my fault. Don’t you think I’m painishing myself enough without you pling on?”
Dom flinched at the sharpness of my words, but his frustration illdn’t weer. “You
“Enough,” Tarapped, my voice trembling with exhaustions and anger. “I’ll lipine it out
the tears
I turned on my heel and stormed to my room, slamming the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as I leaned against the door, willing thei to stay at bay. Whatever Deen and Alex though they low about Nathan, they didn’t understand. And right now, I wasn’t sure I did either.
The next morning, I trudged into my office, mentally preparing for annilser day of unanswered questions. But as soon as I stepped inside, my breaths hitched. Nathan was there, stated lung clade, waiting for me.
Aflood of emotions crashed over me. Heliel, anger, and seething softer. Happiness? My throat ghters, and for a moment, I couldn’t move.
He stood as I approached, closing the distance between us. His hand reached for my fare, his thursh brushing lightly against my cheek. “Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice low and filled with re
I blinked, caught off guard. Of all things, that’s what he wanted to know?
“Thrand what happened and got on the first flight back,” he explained, his eyes searching mine. “I missed you, Rain. I’m sorry I left. I needed to clear my head.”
I stepped back, creating space between us. “It’s good you’re olay.” I replied, keeping my come neutral. “I just wanted to make sure,
Switching gears, I brought up the court case. “The hearing’s coming up. Are you st@l humidling it, or should I find someone else?”
Nathan’s expression softened. “Are you mad at me?” he asked quietly.
I didn’t answer, and after a beat, he nodded. “It’s okay, I’ll make sure Llana comes home to you.”
Before leaving, Nathan paused, his hand lingering on the edge of the desk as it unsure whether to say something. His voice was calm, but there was a softness I hadn’t heard in a while. “Are you free for dinner tonight?”
The words hung in the air. For a moment, I frose, caught between wanting to say yes and the fear of what that might me. My heart screamed at me to take the leap, but my mourli betrayed me.
“I can’t,” I replied quickly, brushing him off with a dismissive wave of my hand. “I’m swamped”
His jaw tensed, just slightly, but he nodded, “Alright.” Without another word, he turned and walked out, the door clicking softly behind him.
The moment he was gone, regret crashed over me like a tidal were. The rooms felt emptier without hins, the silence deafening. I sank into my chair, pressing my hands against my temples.
Why couldn’t I just say yes?
My chest Lightened as I replayed the look on his face, the way his eyes lingered on me before he left. Was it disappointment? Resignation? Either way, I hated myself for putting it there. What was so afraid of?
The answer came too easily everything
An hour passed before my phone buzzed with a text from Nathan. Then another. And another. After weeks of silence, he was suddenly answering everything. The last message caught me off guard:
Do you still want to get to know me? I’m ready to answer anything
I didn’t reply, Instead, I buried myself in work, ignoring his the way he’d ignored me. But Nathan didn’t give up. Howers arrived twice a day, their vibrant colors and sweet scents chipping away at iny resolve.
1/2
+25 Bonus
Days later, Alex showed up at my office with Liam in row. He wanted to spend time together, and I couldn’t say no. Liam’s bright smile warmed my heart, be the moment Nathan walked in, my chest tightened,
D
