Let's Start All Over Again, Shall We?

Chapter 389: We Need Some Time Apart

"Yeah," Nathael replied, without denying it.

A slight curve tugged at the corner of Maggie's lips; her smile was hard to contain.

Nathael wasn't sure if what he felt back then could be called love; he just felt like he'd begun caring for her.

He found himself keeping tabs on her from time to time, unable to resist the urge to bump into her by chance. But maybe it had been too long, or perhaps life in the Camerons was so fulfilling that she seemed to have forgotten him.

Those by her side included a man named Joseph, along with Leo and Sebastian. Her life was far more interesting than his, and now that he was back at the Harrises' residence, he had to make the most of every moment to get stronger quickly.

Charlie's death hit him hard. Grandpa's expectations and the plotting from all sides felt like invisible threats, leaving him no choice but to navigate a world of chaos and danger. Sometimes, late at night, he couldn't help but remember them crammed into that tiny storage room together.

In the afternoon, Maggie accompanied Nathael to the office. But as the sun set, it was as if a switch flipped, extinguishing her earlier good mood. She sank into Nathael's chair, closed her eyes, and rocked gently back and forth.

The phrase "breaking up" danced on her lips, rehearsed countless times. Yet, it always felt bitter. Before she could utter a word, Maggie felt the weight of saying something meaningless, but she kept delaying. She had to see Iris for treatment. Maybe breaking up now was for the best in the future—if there was a future. This was the only way Maggie could comfort herself, even though she couldn't shake off the feeling of gloom. Actually, she deliberately chose his workplace for the conversation; she feared that at home, he wouldn't let her go. As for her belongings, Maggie had it all planned. She intended to have her brother help her later. She doubted she'd ever return to that villa.

Chapter 389: We Need Some Time Apart

Just then, the door swung open. Maggie's heart skipped a beat, feeling squeezed tight, trembling with nerves.

Nathael glanced up. His voice was serious. "Tired? Why not rest on the bed?"

His office had a lounge area where Maggie often relaxed and played games.

"My back's killing me from lying down; I'll just sit for a bit," Maggie said, then fell silent, unsure where to begin.

Nathael set aside the papers in his hand and asked gently, "Hungry? I can order something."

Maggie wasn't in the mood for food. She stood, looked at him, and said slowly, "Nathael, there's something I need to talk to you about." Perhaps it had been a while since she'd spoken to him so formally, or perhaps her expression was simply too serious and tense.

Nathael paused, looking at her. "Go ahead."

Their eyes met, and Maggie's heart raced. His long, deep-set eyes were intense and mysterious, both beautiful and shadowed. Maggie felt her throat tighten, but she tried to remain composed as she spoke slowly, "I think we need some time apart."

The words felt stuck in her throat. When they finally came out, there was no relief. Instead, they brought an invisible weight. The office suddenly felt colder, and the relaxed atmosphere vanished. It was like stepping into the depths of winter, with dark clouds looming overhead, making it hard to breathe. Maggie's hand at her side curled slightly as if she was forcing herself not to retreat. After all, when discussing serious matters, she needed to maintain a serious tone. She couldn't afford to falter at the start. Otherwise, how could they continue the conversation? Nathael's once captivating eyes visibly dimmed; his black pupils resembled cold obsidian stones.

He locked his gaze onto Maggie, intent on catching any hint of her emotions, as if a vast distance already separated them. Yet, he maintained his calm demeanor. "What do you mean?" Nathael's thin lips parted slightly as he spoke, his voice still gentle, almost as if he were asking a casual question.

But the gentler he seemed, the more uneasy Maggie felt. It was like the calm before a storm, as if chaos could erupt at any moment.

Maggie's throat tightened as she looked at him and said slowly, "Remember when you asked if I still had those dreams?"

Nathael remained quiet, patiently listening.

Chapter 389: We Need Some Time Apart

Maggie spoke slowly, "I dreamt that I fell for someone else, and dealing with your feelings made it even harder for me." Her words came out slowly, each one feeling like a stab in her own heart. But she knew that simply asking for a breakup wouldn't convince him. That dream was the perfect excuse. And Maggie planned to approach it more gently.

"We need some time; I need to clear my head, okay?" Maggie looked at him cautiously.

Nathael didn't reply, only asking, "Anything else in your dreams?"

Maggie was quiet for a moment before speaking softly, "A lot of things."

"I dreamt that we ended up resenting each other, that you stopped loving me but refused to let me go. You you drove away the person I later fell in love with, and we were both in pain." Maggie couldn't help but marvel at her ability to fabricate stories. But she knew deep down that what she was saying would resonate with him most. Nathael was possessive and intense, which is why she worried he wouldn't easily let her go.

Hearing this, Nathael stepped closer, and Maggie's heart skipped a beat as she instinctively backed away. She knew she shouldn't be afraid of him. Even though others might hurt her, he wouldn't. But at that moment, she couldn't shake this inexplicable sense of unease. Maggie had nowhere else to go, her back against the edge of the bookshelf, her breaths coming in irregular spurts.

Nathael reached out and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her neck, and asked softly, "Nana, who was the person you loved later?"

Maggie pressed her lips together as his warm breath washed over her neck, sending a strange tingling sensation down her spine, making her shiver. His voice was low and husky, devoid of any anger or rage, even carrying a hint of coaxing. But his hand on her waist was tighter than ever.

Maggie was held tightly in his embrace, her gaze lowered, unable to utter any name, nor would she.

"That was just a dream. I won't let you have the chance to fall for someone else. Plus, didn't you say we'd always be together?" Nathael murmured against her neck, his voice filled with restrained emotion and a hint of pleading.

Maggie's eyelashes fluttered lightly; a touch of moisture formed at the corners of her eyes.

"I lied to you. In the dream we didn't end up well—"

Chapter 389: We Need Some Time Apart

Nathael let out a bitter laugh. His gaze darkened beneath his long lashes, a heavy weight settling in his chest. His voice was hoarse as he spoke, "It's not fair. It was just a dream."

[1] (The "[1]" seems like a leftover artifact and should be removed.)