<b>Chapter </b><b>312 </b>


    I said with a smile, “Nothing. I just thought of something that feels like it happened ages ago. It’s kind of surreal.”


    83%<b>1 </b>


    “Seriously? Ages ago? You’re not even that old. Most people don’t remember anything clearly before they’re ten, and you’re barely out of your teens,” Nathan teased, grinning.


    Not wanting to go into it with Yvonne sitting right there, I just let it go andughed together with him.


    …..


    -23


    After ourte–night snack, Yvonne and I hopped into Nathan’s car. “Where’s your driver?” I asked him.


    “I asked him to go home and to get some rest,” Nathan replied, taking the wheel himself. From the back seat, I noticed his long, clean fingers on the steering wheel and his crisp white shirt.


    “Mom, is Nathan going to be my new dad?” Yvonne suddenly blurted out.


    Both Nathan and I were caught off guard.


    Nathan tightened his grip on the wheel, almost like he was waiting for me to say something.


    Instead of answering, I turned the question back to Yvonne. “Why would you ask that?”


    Yvonne sighed like an adult. “I haven’t seen you smile at your dad like that for a long time. You don’t like him anymore, do you? You like Nathan now, right? You only smile that happily when you’re with him.”


    Nathan’s hand, which had been tense on the wheel, rxed, and he held it more casually and elegantly.


    I wondered why I was paying so much attention to his reaction. Maybe I was just feeling guilty.


    “Yvonne, I’m not nning on getting married anytime soon,” I said softly. I didn’t want to give Nathan any wrong ideas or let Yvonne’s imagination run


    wild.


    Yvonne just murmured, “Okay.” Then she curled up against me again.


    When we pulled up to the vi, I got out and walked Yvonne to the gate. That was when I saw Jared sitting on a bench in the yard.


    He was already waiting at the gate when we arrived.


    “Dad!” Yvonne ran over to Jared.


    I turned to Jared and said, “Take good care of her. I’m leaving now<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    Jared’s eyes were heavy and gloomy as he stared at the car with its headlights still on. “So, are you two nning to spend the night together?” he asked, his voice icy,


    I thought Jared was overstepping, so I snapped back, “That’s none of your business. Sweet dreams.” Then, I turned and got into the passenger seat next


    to Nathan.


    Nathan turned the car around and drove down the driveway. He could tell I was deep in thought, so he didn’t try to make small talk. He just drove quietly.


    I turned on his music, and a ssical music track began ying softly. The woman’s voice in the intro sounded so sad and haunting, like everything had slipped away in an instant.


    08:51 Sat, 23 Aug Mti


    ???? 83%E


    +23)


    I leaned back in my seat, feeling almost trapped. Just being back at that familiar house and standing outside the gate made it hard for me to breathe.


    That house had been my pride and joy for years. Every single thing inside was something I’d picked out myself. Even the pine tree by the door–which I’d trimmed over and over–had grown so much.


    As the sad song yed, memories came rushing back. They were blurry but vivid, tugging at my heart and making my eyes sting.


    There was just one more traffic light before we reached my ce. Nathan nced over at me and said, “It’s gettingte. Maybe you should rest early when you get home.”


    I was surprised when I looked up and saw my apartment building. I didn’t expect to arrive home so soon. I shook off all the mixed emotions and forced a smile as I asked him, “Are you tired?”


    Nathan replied in a slightly rough voice, “I’m good. It’s up to you.”


    I smiled at him. “I’m going to head up and get my ce ready. If you want toe, bring your belongings upstairs.”


    Nathan chuckled and nodded. “Alright.”


    08:51


    Sat, 23 Aug