He stared blankly at our intertwined hands, looking daring, a little hesitant for a moment.

I lowered my voice, speaking softly, “Everyone faces highs and lows in life, but don’t give up so easily.”

“Victoria, I know you’re trying to get me to look on the bright side, but honestly, a falling out with the Chancellor Family is unavoidable right now—they’re furious,” Nathan said bitterly, shaking his head. “But I don’t regret my choice.”

“Nathan, you’re an adult. Don’t let pride or impulse drive your decisions,” I sighed softly. “The Chancellor Family just wants their daughter to have a good future.”

Nathan nodded. “Yeah, I understand their intentions. I even talked things over with Emily Chancellor. When you broke things off with me, I considered trying to make it work with her, but I just couldn’t force it.” He gave a wry smile. “Emily really is a good person, but staking her whole life on me—it wouldn’t be fair to her. She deserves better.”

I looked at Nathan, knowing he was being completely honest with me. He gave it his all, but it just didn’t work out.

“Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t have gotten involved,” I said, guilt washing over me. I was the reason everything got so complicated. Nathan suddenly grabbed my hand, his voice clear and unwavering. “Victoria, if you hadn’t shown up, I’d have spent my whole life regretting it.”

I was stunned for a moment, realizing just how bittersweet a secret crush could be; maybe it really would have turned into a lifelong regret.

“Let’s not dwell on that. Let’s talk about your company instead,” I said, steering the conversation back.

Nathan gave a helpless smile. “Not much to talk about. I brought this on myself, so I’ll handle whatever comes.”

I could see how powerless Nathan felt, and honestly, that was the outcome I dreaded most.

“Let’s eat first,” I said softly, seeing how much pressure he was under—I couldn’t bear to let him keep worrying.

Nathan smiled as he ate. “You coming to see me is a rare surprise.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. We’re adults—don’t let romance run your whole life,” I said with a helpless shake of my head.

But Nathan just laughed. “But that’s what keeps me going. If my heart’s not full, how am I supposed to face all the stress and challenges every day?”

I couldn’t help but laugh too. “You know, you actually make a good point.”

“Exactly.” Nathan’s gaze was intense, burning with days of pent-up longing as he looked at me.

It hit me—I really did love this man. When I saw the clarity in his eyes, like he’d found something priceless, I couldn’t help but want more.

‘Just one more time,’ I thought. ‘Let me have him again!’

Funny enough, Edward wanted me to find someone for a fake marriage. But why bother faking it when there’s someone real who actually wants to marry me?

Truth is, I didn’t even need to get married. As long as I could pick things up with Nathan again, that’d pretty much fulfill Edward’s request.

After we finished eating, Nathan and I got ready to leave.

“I want to swing by my place,” I said. “I came back in such a hurry, I didn’t get a chance to bring anything with me.”

Nathan nodded. “Alright, I’ll ride with you.” He told his driver to head off, then slid into the passenger seat of my car.

We’d barely been driving a few minutes when Nathan said he needed a quick nap and, just like that, he was fast asleep, completely wiped out.

Seeing his brows still furrowed even in sleep, my heart ached for him. The pressure he was under was way more than I’d ever imagined, but he just made it sound like no big deal when we talked.

When we pulled into the parking lot of my apartment complex, Nathan jolted awake. He blinked a few times, looking at me, and slowly came back to reality.

“Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping well lately,” he said softly.

“It’s fine. Let’s head upstairs,” I said gently.

He followed me upstairs.

There were still two sets of Nathan’s clothes hanging in the guest room closet—left behind from before. I hadn’t been back to Hachester in ages, so I never got around to putting them away. It was like a part of him had always been here, waiting.

I told him I was going to take a shower, and he said he’d use the guest bathroom to freshen up.

When I came out in a camisole, Nathan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window with just a towel around his waist, gazing out at the city lights.

“Still refusing to put on some clothes?” I couldn’t help but tease him.