Chapter 457

I hadn’t expected Nathan to show up so soon. I thought he’d need at least two more weeks to finish things on his end. His note said he had to meet someone important and have lunch with them, but he’d only be free to see me in the evening.

I looked at the fresh bouquet of red roses, gently plucked a petal, placed it in my palm, and blew softly on it. Looks like tonight, there are things that just have to be said.

I couldn’t focus on anything all afternoon, not until Nathan called and told me he’d booked a restaurant and wanted me to meet him there.

As I drove, I kept checking my surroundings, honestly worried that Edward might have sent someone to follow me again. But I had no idea how to spot a tail, so even if someone was following me, I’d never know. Man, what a headache.

When I got to the restaurant, it was a cozy little private room. Nathan hadn’t arrived yet, but his gift had already been dropped off. On the table sat a beautifully wrapped box, and it looked like it was packed with all sorts of surprises. Nathan was definitely getting more romantic these days, and honestly, it made me feel a bit uneasy. Back when I was Mrs. Holcomb, Jared was always the one giving me gifts. Whatever he picked out, I just accepted it – never had to worry about stuff like this.

It was almost six-thirty when Nathan hurried over. It was early fall, and after a bit of rain, the air had a chill to it. Nathan must’ve been meeting someone important, because he was dressed in a sharp business suit with an iron-gray shirt underneath. His whole vibe was on another level – short hair perfectly styled, radiating confidence and energy. He looked like nothing could stop him tonight, totally in his prime.

When Nathan saw me, there was a gentle warmth in his eyes, his smile soft and reassuring. “Victoria, have you been waiting long?” Nathan asked, his voice tinged with apology.

I shook my head. “Not at all, I just got here myself.”

“Why haven’t you opened the gifts yet?” Nathan paused, a bit surprised. “I picked them out with you in mind. Don’t you want to know what’s inside?”

I glanced at the gift boxes on the sofa and shook my head. “I feel like I haven’t earned this. It’s a lot all at once, and honestly, it makes me a little uneasy.”

Nathan lowered his gaze, a gentle smile on his lips, but his tone was sincere. “I just wanted to thank you for coming back to Hachester to comfort me when I was at my lowest. Victoria, those days were really tough. I was exhausted, inside and out. But when you showed up, it was like a ray of light breaking through the gloom, giving me hope when everything felt bleak.”

As he spoke, Nathan stood up, walked behind me, and gently wrapped his arms around me from behind, like a lost lion cub searching for comfort, burying his face in my hair. “You showed up for me twice when I was at my lowest. That has to be fate.”

I shivered, my heart wound tight with tension.

“Nathan, this was a trial you were meant to face. The fact that you made it through just means you were lucky – it had nothing to do with anyone else,” I said softly, trying to comfort him.

“You’re not an outsider,” Nathan said, his voice gentle with a hint of affection. “You’re the one who brings me luck. Whenever I’m with you, good things always seem to happen.”

I turned to look at him, my gaze fixed on him, stunned.

Nathan leaned down and kissed my forehead softly. “It’s true. I’ve always believed you’re the one who brings me luck.”

I looked down, feeling a pang of guilt, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. “I’m not your savior. I’m just an ordinary woman.”

Nathan, as if the closeness between us wasn’t enough, suddenly crouched down in front of me and looked up. In that moment, I could see the depth of his feelings – burning with passion, like the brightest camellia blooming wild and free.

Wait, comparing a man to a camellia? That felt a little off.

But with Nathan’s strikingly handsome, refined features and those deep, affectionate eyes, somehow, he really did embody the beauty and intensity of that camellia.

“Come on, don’t be like this. Stand up,” I said, reaching out to grab his arm, unable to meet the burning intensity in his eyes.