Chapter 104: Stay With Me

The ward boasted elegant furnishings, and the bed was noticeably larger than a standard hospital bed. Despite the ample space, it felt cramped for the two of them; they tacitly avoided mentioning the extra family companion bed.

Nathael removed his coat and settled beside Maggie, drawing her close. He murmured in a deep voice, "Being near you is comforting."

A smile touched Maggie's lips; she felt the same. His chest radiated warmth and strength, carrying the familiar scent of cedar she found reassuring. He often held her like this in her previous life, offering solace.

"I confessed my feelings for you," Maggie said softly. "Aren't you happy?"

Nathael met her gaze, breathing in the scent of her hair. "I am."

Maggie pressed her lips together, silent. But why can't I feel his happiness? she wondered.

"I was lying to Ronald and the Camerons that day," she said gently, feeling the need to explain. "The Camerons have always conspired against me, but I realized it too late. I just didn't want them to catch on. I knew what was up, so I couldn't openly support you. But I had to devise a good excuse, because I was supporting you."

It was a rare moment of calm where he listened. Turning to him, she added, "I explained myself tenderly, to make sure it made sense."

They lay close, a hand's breadth apart. Moonlight illuminated Nathael's features, allowing Maggie to see the depth of his eyes. She wondered if he would believe her, considering her past mistakes. However, things would get better eventually, right?

Silence fell. Nathael felt Maggie's breath and his own racing heartbeat. It felt like a heart thawing in the cold, warmed by the sun; the scent of grass and a gentle breeze were soothing.

After a moment, Maggie thought he wouldn't speak. Then, his hoarse voice broke through: "I understand."

"Can you forgive me now?" she asked, touching his nose.

"Of course," Nathael replied, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead. His eyes…

She might not have known it, but he longed to see her defend him publicly. However, her words to Ronald felt like a plunge into icy water.

How quickly could one shift from extreme joy and anticipation to profound disappointment and sorrow? Nathael didn't know, but he knew it had taken him twenty-three minutes and forty-eight seconds to rush from the company to the press conference and hear those words. His joy had lasted only those twenty-three minutes and forty-eight seconds. People could be cruel, enduring pain for a little happiness.

"Nathael," Maggie whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Can you trust me a bit more from now on?" she asked. "Not a lot, just a bit, because in the long run, it means everything."

She had been too naive to expect his trust again, but self-preservation was human nature. Once bitten, twice shy. Maybe he had been too trusting and forgiving. Nathael cleared his throat, his eyes showing restraint as he said roughly, "Maggie, stay with me."

Maggie blinked in confusion. Stay with him? Was that a confession? Before she could process it, he softly kissed her lips, seeking an answer while fearing it.

"Go to sleep," Nathael whispered, his eyes intense. "Goodnight."

He might have acted hastily, but certain desires surge repeatedly. No matter how suppressed, they eventually erupt.

That night, Maggie slept soundly. As dawn approached, Nathael glanced at her, wrapped around him. He gently removed her leg from around his waist. She grunted.

Maggie frowned in her sleep, tossed, turned, and then snuggled back into his embrace. Noticing her flushed face and sweat, Nathael sighed, feeling a tug at his heartstrings.

He reluctantly peeled himself away for a quick cold shower. His movements stirred Maggie, who awoke and blinked at the unfamiliar room. Realizing she had spent the night holding him close, a small grin spread across her face. Her mood lifted.

Listening to the running water, Maggie decided to join him. She wandered around before deciding on breakfast downstairs. Remembering Nathael's taste, she made a mental note not to disappoint him.

Phone in hand, she hummed a tune as she made her way downstairs. Despite the early hour, the hospital bustled. On a mission to find the fancier private kitchen, she weaved through the lobby. Passing through the first-floor lobby, she spotted a woman with a pale face.

The woman wore a modern take on a traditional outfit—simple yet elegant, moon-white fabric embroidered with pink flowers. She seemed like a picturesque scene from a misty water town.

Maggie's humming ceased. She slowed, captivated. Seated alone in the lobby amidst the hustle and bustle, the woman drew lingering looks. Her gentle aura stirred a protective instinct in observers. Maggie stood frozen.

That woman was her mother, Ms. Fiona Xavier, or Mrs. Adam. Maggie hadn't anticipated this encounter. In her past life, their interactions were minimal, and her memories of her mother were faint. Their only recent meeting had been at Master Adam's birthday party a few months ago, where she had caught a glimpse from a distance. Maggie's gaze lingered, her eyes misting.

She realized she had a mother who never stopped searching for her.

Just as Fiona rose to move, she stumbled and fainted.