Chapter 388 Predestined

Maggie stood in silence for a few moments, unable to find her words.

But Nathael persisted, waiting patiently for her response.

After a prolonged pause, Maggie met his gaze with innocence and murmured, “Because you’re attractive.”

Nathael nearly choked on his breath, caught off guard by her straightforwardness.

So, I have my looks to thank for this?

Observing his reaction, Maggie softened her tone and added, “Being good-looking is a talent too, and you were so tough and strong back then.”

Maggie wasn’t claiming to be perfect. She confessed that his looks had drawn her to him, leading her to want to spoil him with gifts.

Even though she was broke, that didn’t stop her from sharing what she had.

Besides, as she mentioned, he was tough and strong. Who wouldn’t want a friend who was both strong and good-looking?

“Are you implying that if someone better looking came along, you’d ignore me?” Nathael tightened his grip on her hand, his voice turning chilly.

Clearly, he was struggling to contain his frustration.

Maggie softened her gaze and reassured him, “The point is, no one’s more attractive than you; you’re the most handsome.”

Nathael wasn’t satisfied with her response, his jawline tensing as he fell silent.

Maggie couldn’t deny that he was just so good-looking that he seemed to belong on a pedestal, deserving all the beauty in the world, and she would willingly give him everything.

She couldn’t help but wonder if her attraction to Nathael stemmed from more than just his looks, but also from an inexplicable aura he exuded.

She couldn’t explain it; she just felt drawn to him, wanting to treat him well.

Perhaps she had feelings for him then.

Maggie wasn’t sure. Even if it was love, the love she felt back then was too immature, and it didn’t necessarily mean anything.

Even if it was, it might not be much different from loving a pretty dress or a delicious meal.

“What about after that?” Nathael’s voice broke the silence.

Maggie paused, reflecting on their relationship. Eventually, she came to see him as a friend.

He was quieter than the other children in the orphanage, yet he possessed a quiet strength that drew her to him.

Later on, he stood up for her, scaring off bullies and always managing to bring good food. Their bond grew stronger over time.

Maggie’s life became richer, partly due to her understanding of the rules and partly because of his protection.

“After that, I realised you were genuinely a good person!”

With those words, Nathael’s expression darkened, his lips pressed into a tight line as he looked towards the nearby old buildings.

Those buildings, separate from the teaching area, were likely untouched and used for storage.

He had spent half a year there.

The day she left the orphanage, she visited him in new clothes and brought him delicious treats.

“Hey, Little Mute, guess what? Someone adopted me. I’ll finally have a home,” Maggie exclaimed.

Leaning against the wall, he watched silently as the things Maggie had brought and placed beside him.

“Aren’t you happy for me?” Maggie asked, unable to contain her excitement.

Of course, she was thrilled; no one would want to stick around this gloomy place, even though she secretly felt sad about leaving Little Mute behind.

But the Camerons already had a son, so they wouldn’t adopt Little Mute, especially now that he was older and had memories.

Nathael stayed quiet for a while, struggling to say that he was happy for her.

But he could sense her happiness, at least.

“Congrats,” he finally managed to say softly.

Maggie grinned. “If I can, I’ll come back to visit you. Just tell me if you need anything.”

Though Maggie wasn’t sure what life with the Camerons would be like, they seemed nice enough.

As long as they weren’t too strict, she figured she could save up somehow.

“Okay,” Nathael replied softly.

Maggie waved goodbye. “I’ll head off now!”

Nathael watched her leave, feeling a lump in his throat as he fought the urge to ask her to stay.

He wanted to tell her to wait a bit longer.

Wait until he got back to the Harrises and then they could leave together.

But he couldn’t. Even though he could leave the orphanage and had people serving him, he knew she’d be safer without him.

There were dangerous enemies out to get him, and he couldn’t even guarantee his own safety, let alone protect her.

Nathael clenched his jaw, remaining silent.

Maybe the Camerons are the right choice for her.

He stood by the window for a long time, watching her leave with the Camerons, along with a handsome but somewhat arrogant boy. Nathael felt strangely unsettled.

It wasn’t until the car disappeared into the distance that Nathael realised she was gone from the orphanage for good.

He wondered if she’d look back, or if she’d remember her promise to come back. He just felt a pang of regret that he was too young and powerless.

“Alex, keep an eye on how the Camerons treat her,” Nathael said, his voice hoarse with bitterness.

He couldn’t explain the feeling in his chest, but he knew he couldn’t shake the urge to keep her with him.

Their farewell was brief, without hugs or promises, just a cheerful goodbye, “Little Mute, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself.”

Maggie and Nathael wandered around the orphanage before finding a snack shop nearby.

“I did come back to see you, but you were gone. That’s when I ran into Leo nearby.”

A boy who always seemed battered and bruised.

Back then, Leo wasn’t as fierce as Nathael, but he was stubborn. Because of his mother, he often got beaten, but he refused to beg for mercy or back down.

Maggie felt like she could see herself from the past. She remembered standing by the railing at the orphanage, staring at a bun in his hands greedily. He threw one to her with a disdainful look.

Yes, disdainful.

But despite that, Maggie still remembered the warmth, the taste of the bun, and, most importantly, Leo’s unintended kindness.

Many things seemed predestined between people.

Maggie never imagined she’d meet the two most important people in her life in such a cramped, old place.

“Nathael, you still haven’t told me, did you already have feelings for me back then?” Maggie suddenly asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.