Chapter 921

“Should we drink a little today?” Lena asked.

Nate nodded. “Let’s have a drink.”

They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by.

“Lena,” Nate called her softly.

Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely “not bad.” It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them.

“Thank you,” Nate said softly.

Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their work. She smiled faintly. “Let’s not talk about work today.”

“My thanks have nothing to do with work,” Nate said, his deep, earnest gaze meeting hers through his glasses. His clean, neat hair was tied at the back, and his face, untouched by heavy makeup, retained a natural and delicate charm that was simply pleasing to look at.

“I’m thanking you for agreeing to have dinner with me tonight. And… for being a part of my life.”

His words caused Lena to freeze for a moment, though she didn’t feel uncomfortable. After all, their shared history was undeniable. In truth, she had agreed to this dinner to find closure for both of them.

“I should thank you, too, for completing my youth,” Lena replied. As a student, she had secretly loved and admired him. That crush had blossomed, though it ultimately bore no fruit.

Nate’s gaze darkened slightly, understanding her meaning. She was telling him, in her gentle way, that there was no future for them.

Even so, he wanted to make one last effort. Some things, he knew, needed to be heard from her own lips before he could truly let go.

“Lena, I don’t want to just exist in your youth. I want… to be part of your present and future,” Nate said, nervously picking up his cup.

Lena wasn’t surprised by his confession. She smiled gently. “But you are. As long as I’m alive, you’ll always be a part of my life. As long as I don’t forget you completely, you’ll always be there.”

“Lena, I meant…” Nate started to explain further.

Lena interrupted him. “Nate, I did love you. I loved you very, very much. But I don’t love you anymore. I’m a one-way street, and I only move forward. Once something is over and let go, it becomes a part of the past.”

Nate’s face showed a mixture of sadness, helplessness, and, finally, acceptance. He raised his glass toward her. “I thought love was about ups and downs, breaking up and making up. I thought we were just like any other couple. I didn’t expect that one mistake would mean losing you forever.”

Lena chuckled at his words. “Well, at least now you know not to repeat this in your next relationship. Consider it a lesson. When you get married, don’t forget to toast me at your wedding.”

Her words left no room for doubt, and Nate realized there was nothing more to say. He raised his glass and said, “For now, let me toast you.”

Their glasses clinked lightly, like the meeting of two old friends by the tranquil riverside.

When Lena returned home, her steps were a little unsteady from the alcohol. She paused at the door, forcing herself to clear her head before stepping inside. After a few steps, she stopped, noticing someone on the sofa. “Uncle, why are you still up?”

Aaron raised his gaze, his eyes landing on her slightly dazed expression and flushed cheeks. “Waiting for you,” he said simply.