Chapter 257 What ce Do


    I Hold In Your Heart


    "Save your thanks," Karina warned, her tone stern. "Should you ever bring sorrow to Corrine or harm her, rest assured, I''ll make you deeply regret it."


    Just outside, Corrine heard the exchange and felt a sharp pang in her heart.


    Karina''s words touched the most sensitive parts of her being.


    Emotions surged within Corrine, bringing tears to her eyes unexpectedly. Yet, there was also a sense of relief mixed with the sorrow.


    Growing up in a troubled environment, Corrine had resigned herself to the notion that love was not meant for her.


    She had prepared herself for a lifetime of neglect and disappointment.


    However, Karina''s presence in her life began to shift that bleak outlook.


    The realization that she had someone like Karina, who genuinely cared, lightened the burden of her past miseries.


    Drying her tears, Corrine entered the room with a gentle smile, saying, "I''ve returned."


    The meal went longer than typical, shedding any stiffness of a formal engagement and instead, adopting the rxed tone of friends sharing a respite.


    But, like everything good, it couldn''tst forever.


    They said their goodbyes in the parking lot. After Karina departed, Corrine and Nate


    headed to their car.


    “Karina''s quite direct; don''t take her words to heart," Corrine said.


    As Nate adjusted his tie, he looked at her quizzically. "Are you ying peacemaker?"


    Corrineughed lightly. "I''m more concerned you''ll hold a grudge against her."


    Raising an eyebrow, Nate''s smile grew teasing. "Shouldn''t you be worried about


    me


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    Chapter 257 What ce Do I Hold In Your Heart


    instead?"


    "What is there to worry about with you?"


    Although she had only seen a slice of Nate''s true character, her intuition assured her he was never one to be easily overshadowed.


    Corrine''s tone warmed as she said, "Before meeting Karina, I felt quite alone. I''ll always support her. It''s best if you steer clear of her."


    Nate''s expression grew thoughtful as he leaned closer, his hand delicately framing her face while his thumb grazed her lip.


    They were inches apart, their proximity charged with the tension of an imminent kiss.


    "You really are remarkable," he whispered. "To defend her so fiercely in front of me- do I mean so little to you?"


    Nobody had ever confronted him so boldly before. Karina''s words, "I will make you deeply regret it," echoed in his mind.


    He had already treated Karina with utmost courtesy.


    Corrine raised her head slightly, her lips grazing his as she whispered, "I needed you to see how much Karina means to me."


    "And where does that leave me?" Nate questioned, his gaze intense, his tone hinting at ownership.


    Corrine blinked softly, her eyes conveying a mix of emotions.


    Nate''s touch shifted, his hand sliding to cradle the back of her neck, his fingers weaving through her hair to draw her nearer. His whispered, "Darling, what ce do I hold in your heart?"