Chapter 159: I Miss You

Due to anesthesia, Nathael didn't immediately awaken and was transferred to the ICU. Alex saw Maggie's incoming call but didn't know how to respond, so he ignored it. After leaving the ICU, Nathael gradually regained consciousness and was finally out of danger.

"Mr. Harris, Ms. Adain has called several times, probably to inquire about you," Alex reported, gently adjusting Nathael's bed.

Nathael frowned and said, "Give me the phone."

Just then, a recent message from Maggie arrived.

Hearing his voice, Maggie's worried heart settled. Her lips pursed, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Maggie?" Nathael swallowed, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Maggie looked down, hiding her tears. She grumbled, "I thought you'd moved on so quickly!" Nathael paused, then solemnly replied, "No, there will be no one else. There was no one else in the past, and there will be no other woman in the future. It was always you."

"So, why were you unreachable for so long?" Maggie wrapped herself in a coat and stepped onto the balcony to continue their conversation. She didn't truly blame him; it was just a creeping unease and fear she couldn't articulate.

"The adversary created some complications; it took a little longer," he explained warmly through the headset. The sound from the other end was oddly satisfying. Maggie remained silent for a long time. Nathael sensed a shift in the atmosphere and instinctively straightened up. "Maggie, are you angry?" he asked.

She pulled her coat tighter and sniffled. "Where are you? I'll come to you." She'd never believed that absence made the heart grow fonder; she found herself longing to rush to him. She wanted to see him, regardless of the late hour or the cross-city journey to the airport. She needed to see him and hold him; it seemed the only way to calm her panic.

Nathael swallowed. "I'm not in Misk City."

Maggie's steps slowed, her disappointment palpable. Was he already gone? It was regrettable.

Chapter 159: I Miss You (Continued)

"I'll have Nolan drive you in the morning; he's returning to the country on business. I'll send him to accompany you," Nathael said gently, coaxingly. Maggie's mood soured by the missed encounter, she idly fiddled with the buttons on her coat and said indifferently, "A man and a woman? Are you that trusting? Aren't you worried about what might happen?"

"Maggie Adain!" His temples throbbed as his blood pressure rose. She had a maddening ability to push him to the brink with just a few words. His tone sharpened. Yet Maggie pursed her lips. Finally, she conceded. "I know; I'll wait patiently for your return."

A childlike joy bloomed on Nathael's face—the kind that comes with the melting of ice or the arrival of spring, a brilliant ray of sunlight piercing the dawn, heralding a new beginning. She would wait for him. She would actually wait for him.

Alex watched, his thoughts complex. He'd never seen Nathael so genuinely happy. He hoped Maggie was worth it.

Before Nathael could respond, Maggie murmured, "But don't make me wait too long. I'm not known for my patience, and if someone else treats me well, I might wander off with them." Nathael's gaze darkened. "I dare anyone to try."

Maggie laughed softly. "Nathael, I miss you." Though they'd parted only recently, it felt like an eternity to Maggie. Nathael's Adam's apple bobbed; if only his injury hadn't been so severe, he would have rushed to her.

"Have you resolved the trouble? How's it going?" Maggie changed the subject.

"It's temporarily settled," Nathael replied gently.

They continued talking until Maggie, overcome by sleepiness, ended the call.

Meanwhile, Lucas had gone home and immediately began tracking Nathael's location for Maggie. But Nathael was difficult to find. He seemed skilled at counter-surveillance and evading cameras; even when caught on film, it was usually just a glimpse of his profile or back, surrounded by his entourage. Someone was also helping him cover his tracks. Lucas spent the entire night on the task. By early morning, he located Nathael's current position and uncovered photos of a bloodied Nathael amidst ruins.

"Damn, the guy's a survivor! Can anyone survive that much blood loss?" Lucas muttered, sending the photos and Nathael's location to Maggie.