?Chapter 1395:


    She figured she was already broken beyond repair anyway. Even if she said no to Arlo, her life was already in the gutter. Things couldn’t possibly get worse.


    But if she said yes, at least there was a chance.


    In just a few heartbeats, she made up her mind. “Fine. I agree.”


    She knew Arlo wanted Ste, so she’d find a way to deliver her.


    When he heard her answer, Arlo let out a deep, satisfiedugh. “Hah, I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Nina. Can’t wait for your good news!”


    After she hung up, she sat on the edge of the bed and took several long, shaky breaths.


    She’d nned to rot away in that room forever, never expecting she’d crawl back to the Carter family.


    That same night, Nina dragged her battered body through a light rain, skipping the umbre on purpose, and pounded on the gates of Carter Mansion.


    The one who opened the door was Lance.


    The moment she saw him, tears poured down her face like they’d been waiting years for permission.


    “Lance, I’m so sorry. I know I was wrong, I really do!”


    She dropped straight to her knees in the drizzle, looking small and wrecked as she stared up at him.


    Lance froze. He hadn’t expected her to show up at all. He frowned, staying in the doorway, refusing to let her in. “What are you doing here?”


    Nina kept her eyes down, letting the rain soak her through. “I came to apologize. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. I know how much pain I’ve caused you and Ste. I hurt both of you so badly. I’ve thought about it for days before I worked up the nerve toe here. Lance, please… can you give me one more chance to make things right?”


    As she spoke, she reached out and clutched the hem of his coat, swaying like she might copse any second.


    I@?e$t ￠н@???я$ ?η ???и?vε??.c?m


    The hand gripping him was the one missing a finger.


    Lance started to tell her no, but when his eyesnded on her damaged hand, something soft flickered across his face.


    “Nina, you did this to yourself. You have no one else to me,” he said.


    “I know, I know… it’s my fault. I didn’t appreciate what I had when I had it.” Nina nodded over and over, her voice shaking. “I had a good life, but I let jealousy ruin everything.”


    Tears clung to hershes as she looked up at Lance. “But I swear, I really understand now. I won’t plot against Ste anymore. I’m done coveting William. I mean it—I swear!”


    She shuffled closer on her knees, nearly clinging to him.


    “Lance… we grew up together. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? Can you really just turn your back on me like this? I know I’ve disappointed the family. I know I’ve made a mess of everything. But I just need one more chance. Just one.”


    All her life, Nina had carried herself with the pride of being a Carter. Even thest time Lance visited, she refused to lower herself or admit defeat.


    But now? She was on the floor, kneeling in front of him, practically begging.


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