Chapter 70
Nathan replied calmly, “You just made a U-turn on a double yellow line. She’s not fully at fault.” The driver froze and had no answer.
“Settle this privately,” Nathan said firmly. The driver looked annoyed but admitted he had cut across the double yellow line quickly, so he was partly responsible.
“Fifteen hundred dollars,” Nathan said straight.
The driver wanted more, but Nathan’s strong presence made him back down. “Fine, you guys have more backing. You decide.”
I quickly turned and grabbed money from my car. When I came back, the driver got in and drove off. “Didn’t he want the money?” I asked, surprised.
“He got it,” Nathan said, frowning as he watched me closely. “Is your husband’s cheating stressing you out? You shouldn’t be driving. Ride with me.”
“I’m fine,” I said and tried to get into my car. Nathan grabbed me suddenly. “You’re risking your life.”
I looked at him, shocked. “It was really an accident.”
“Don’t drive.” Nathan pulled me toward his car.
His driver then came down and politely said, “Ms. Murphy, don’t worry. I’ll drive your car back to the city.”
Nathan pushed me into the back seat without arguing. After I sat down, he didn’t close the door right away. His eyes landed on my forehead. “You got a bump. Let’s get you some medicine first.”
I touched my forehead and felt a sharp pain. My car also had a broken headlight. I asked Nathan to have his assistant drive my car to the dealership. Luckily, it was in my name, so Jared wouldn’t find out.
The driver had already left with my car. Nathan drove his Maybach and stopped in front of a pharmacy. He went inside to buy medicine.
Through the glass, I watched his tall figure enter the store. He talked with the staff at the counter, asking questions about the medicines.
I rested my chin on my hand and suddenly remembered a minor accident I had three years ago. I had smashed a row of guardrails and got a swollen forehead.
Jared didn’t come; he sent his assistant. On a cold, windy street, I stood in a thin coat for over an hour. The assistant bought me a hot coffee and took me home.
Jared never called. Nathan came back with the medicine and opened the back door. A cool early summer breeze came in. He smelled like Dylan Blue cologne.
“Come closer. Let me see,” Nathan said, frowning.
I didn’t lean in but held out my hand. “Just give me the medicine. I can put it on myself.”
“Let me disinfect it first,” Nathan said. “You got a little scrape.” I softly said okay and moved a little closer.
Nathan dipped a cotton swab in disinfectant. When he tried to touch the wound, I flinched. Then he said gently, “Don’t be afraid. It won’t hurt.”
I looked up at him. He was looking at my wound. When our eyes met, he looked a little embarrassed. “Don’t be sad. Whatever happens, just fix it. It’s not the end of the world, and life goes on,” Nathan said kindly.
“I’m not sad,” I said, looking down and smiling. “Really.”
Nathan thought I was fooling myself, pretending to be okay. Everyone knew I loved Jared. It seemed I was singing a farewell song to hold on to my dignity before love broke me.
“Alright, stop overthinking. Don’t put men on a pedestal. No matter how strong or talented a man is, he has his plans. If you’re not part of his world, don’t be upset,” Nathan said. It was clear he believed I was about to divorce.
“Thank you. I’ll remember that,” I smiled at him. He finished applying the medicine and asked where I planned to go next.
“To the dealership. I need to get my car fixed today,” I said, tired.
“Your headlight’s smashed. They won’t fix it in half a day,” Nathan said. He thought I was rushing because I was scared Jared would blame me. He felt even more sorry for me.
I looked at him. Nathan said nothing and drove me to the dealership entrance. His driver quickly came over and handed me the car keys.
I thanked him. Suddenly, Nathan’s phone rang. After he finished, he said to me, “Jared didn’t take Tracy to the OB-GYN. They registered in internal medicine. Tracy has a cold.”
I was shocked. I thought, ‘Isn’t it supposed to be morning sickness?’