Chapter 653

Nate finally brought it up. Lena had thought about it before, so when he asked her now, she didn’t even hesitate with her answer.

“What about you? Why not come back and work here?” she countered instead.

Nate stilled for a moment. “I can’t right now.”

He didn’t offer an explanation, and Lena didn’t push. Instead, she said, “I don’t want to move overseas.”

That was the end of it. Sensing her mood dip, Nate pulled her close. “I’ll apply to come back next year.”

“Okay,” Lena murmured, her eyes fluttering shut.

“You get some rest. I’ll take a quick shower,” Nate said, getting up and heading to the bathroom.

Lena opened her eyes but didn’t move, staring blankly at the ceiling. She’d always thought long-distance relationships were no big deal, but now she knew just how exhausting they could be.

Suddenly, Nate’s phone buzzed. Lena glanced at the screen, spotting the name. “Nate, it’s Retta,” she called out.

“Answer it,” Nate replied casually from the bathroom, his tone completely unfazed.

Lena smirked as she picked up the call. “Hi, Retta.”

There was a pause on the other end before Retta’s voice came through. “Where’s Nate?”

“He’s in the shower,” Lena replied, adding with a little extra cheer, “He told me to take the call if it was important.”

“I just wanted to remind him that Professor Ridley is coming the day after tomorrow. He needs to attend the meeting. He should head back as soon as possible.”

“Got it. I’ll let him know. Anything else?” Lena asked, keeping her tone casual, though she knew this wasn’t just about a reminder. Retta could’ve texted or waited. She’d called now, at this exact moment, for a reason.

Retta spoke again. “Lena, do you really think this kind of relationship with Nate can last?”

And there it was. Retta wasn’t even trying to hide her feelings.

“I don’t know,” Lena answered. “But I’m not worried about forever. I’m focused on the love we have right now.”

Lena wasn’t trying to pick a fight with Retta; she was just being real. Nobody could promise forever, but right now? Nate was the only one she cared about.

Retta went silent for a moment, then hung up without another word.

Lena snorted softly, setting Nate’s phone on the windowsill. With a quick tap, she opened the automatic curtains.

She glanced up at the night sky, but something below snagged her attention—a sleek black car parked outside. It was definitely not one she recognized.

The window was rolled down just enough for her to spot a figure inside. She squinted, trying to make out the face, but before she could, the window slid up, and the car drove off.

“What are you staring at?”

Nate was fresh out of the shower.

“Just the stars and the moon,” Lena said, turning back to him and handing over his phone. She relayed Retta’s reminder about the professor but left out the rest of their chat.

Nate knew exactly how Retta felt about him, and the fact he wasn’t doing anything about it said enough. If it didn’t matter to him, it didn’t matter to her.

The next day around noon, Lena texted me: [Do you want to see Nate while he’s here?]

I mean, duh. Of course, I wanted to see him—Nate didn’t visit often. But there was one small problem: I was still stuck in Lindale.

Not because I wanted to stay. No, it was because Demi refused to leave.

I’d seen the awful setup she was living in, and there was no way I could just walk away and leave her there.

I’d already spent a whole day trying to talk her into coming back with me, but she kept shutting me down with the same line: “Keira, you should go. I’m fine here.”

Fine? Yeah, right. I wasn’t buying it.

“Demi,” I said, “If you don’t give me the real reason you’re staying, I’m not leaving. I’ll stay here with you.”

She caved under my stare. “Keira,” she finally said, her voice shaking, “if I go back, I won’t survive.”

She swallowed hard before continuing. “I… I accidentally found out someone’s secret.”