“Where are you taking me?” M asked as they walked.


    Nathan reinained silent. He held her wrist as he led her through several garden paths. They stopped in


    front of a room in the Alpine Estate when Nathan let go of her hand.


    M looked around. The surroundings were beautiful, with lush greenery, and it was peaceful.


    Nathan sat on a nearby bench and said, “Stay with me.”


    “Nate, what do you mean?” M asked nervously.


    Nathan gazed deep into M’s eyes and smiled helplessly as he said, “I won’t touch you. All I want is


    for you to be here with me.”


    M stood still as she gazed into his intense eyes. She felt like she was about to lose control. Turning


    her eyes to a nearby nt, she said calmly, “It’ste. It’s inappropriate for a man and a woman to be


    alone together.”


    Nathan scoffed and replied disappointedly, “I never once thought of forcing you when we were married


    and shared a bed. But now, you’re afraid that I’ll hurt you?”


    M bit her lip and held on tightly to her phone.


    Nathan leaned back against the bench. His eyes were prating as he said earnestly, “It doesn’t


    matter if you’re Wanda or Suzanne, I still love you.


    “I used to think I was a man who got bored easily and was quick to move on. But now I realize I’ve


    loved only one person my whole life. I’ll always have feelings for you, no matter who you are or what


    your name is.”


    M froze at his sudden confession. Her heart was in her throat, and her breathing grew irregr. She


    was too nervous to know what to do.


    “Nate, you’re drunk,” M murmured nervously. She noticed the flush in his ears, neck, and cheeks.


    She wasn’t sure if it was because he was embarrassed or drunk.


    “I’m not drunk,”


    n said. His elbow…


    on the bench’s arm as he cupped his throbbing


    forehead. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    “Wanda, I’m not forcing you to love or marry me. I just hope that you won’t avoid me. Please never cut


    off contact with me like you did ten years ago, no matter what our rtionship is.


    “I won’t cling to you or cause you any problems. But can youe to me when you need apanion


    to share your happiness or sadness? Like when we were kids? It’s fine if you don’t want to meet.”


    Nathan looked up at her, his eyes reddening as he forced a bitter smile before adding, “Just call or text


    me when you’re free. Just so I know you’re okay and that you’re happy.”


    M couldn’t help but turn away from him. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at the lintel of the


    room.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    She couldn’t breathe because it hurt so much. It felt as if a knife was stabbing her in the heart, and


    waves of agony caused her body to tremble. She felt something choking her and was unable to speak.


    “Wanda, please don’t treat me that way unless you hate me.” Nathan sounded hoarse and shaky.


    M couldn’t take it any longer. Tears began to flow uncontrobly down her cheeks.


    She quickly wiped them away and cleared her throat, pretending to be calm. “Nate, you’re truly drunk.


    I’ll get Cole to take you home.”


    “Don’t worry. I’ve booked a room at the estate for three days to rest up,” Nathan replied.


    “Then you should get back to your room and get some rest. I should head back as well,” M said. She


    pulled out her phone to book a cab.


    “Wanda, can’t we at least be friends?” Nathan asked softly. His voice was choking with emotion.


    M’s heart ached so much that her fingers trembled. She couldn’t even tap a thing on her phone.


    Tears began to stream down her cheeks again. She hadn’t expected her heart to hurt so badly.


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