<b>Chapter </b><b>458 </b>


    I was here tonight to say goodbye, not to get swept up in all these feelings.


    But as soon as I reached out, he caught my hand in hisrge, warm grasp. The next moment, he pressed his cheek into my palm, closed his eyes, and murmured softly, “Victoria, whatever you want me to do from <i>now </i>on, I’ll do it. I’ll listen to you.”


    I waspletely thrown off. Nathan tonight was all soft edges, unusually gentle.


    “Don’t… don’t do this,” I stammered, my heart pounding with guilt and nerves. “Whatever it is, big or small, <i>you </i>should decide for yourself.”


    “Nope,” Nathan shook his head. “I want to be your loyal puppy.”


    The serious mood was shattered by Nathan’s childish words–I had to bite back augh.


    “Nathan, are you still tipsy from lunch or something? Seriously, listen to yourself,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.


    Nathan looked at me, a little hurt. “Victoria, I’m being serious here. Why are youughing at me?”


    “Come on, we’re adults. Let’s not talk like kids anymore,” I said, getting up–didn’t want him looking up at me like that. I walked over to the window and stared out at the crowd. “In the grown–up world, there’s no escaping money and status. Nathan, just keep chasing your dreams. Don’t let anyone drag you down.”


    Nathan nodded. “Alright, I’ll keep moving forward–and I want you running right beside me.”


    I turned to look at him.“You don’t need to worry about me. Just focus on your own path and run all the way to the top.”


    “Victoria, don’t say that. If you’re not with me, I won’t have the drive to keep going,” Nathan said with a smile, stepping up to pull me into his arms. But I twisted away at thest second, smoothly dodging his embrace without making it obvious.


    Nathan looked at his arm, frozen mid–air, and stared at me in bewilderment. “Victoria, what’s wrong?”


    Right as I was about to speak, a knock sounded at the door.


    The waiter came in, pushing in a food cart.


    “Alright, let’s eat and talk,” Nathan said as the food was served. He took my hand and guided me back to our seats.


    I looked at the table full of dishes he’d ordered just for me, and my heart ached in ways I couldn’t even put into words.


    Nathan was trying so hard to get closer, but even though it hurt, all I could do was push him away.


    I closed my eyes, feeling like I was stabbing myself in the heart. ‘Feeling sorry for a man? That’s just a recipe for a lifetime. of heartbreak,‘ I thought bitterly.


    “Victoria, try some beef…” I opened my eyes and saw he’d slipped a piece of nicely browned beef into my bowl.


    Nathan was reaching for my ss, ready to pour me some red wine.


    I stopped him right away. “I can’t drink, I drove here.”


    10:30 Sat, 30 Aug


    “Don’t worry, I’ll take you home. I brought a driver,” Nathan said, but he poured me half a ss anyway.


    “I really can’t drink tonight,” I insisted.


    ? ? 59% °


    Nathan finally picked up on my mood. Heced his fingers together and pressed them to his lips, his eyes dark and searching as he looked at me. “Victoria, what’s wrong? Why are you so distant tonight?”


    I bit my lip and let out a quiet sigh.


    “Did something happen? Let me help you,” Nathan said, his voice full of concern.


    I shook my head. “Nothing like that.”


    Nathan’s unease deepened, and then he lowered his voice. “Did you make some kind of deal with your ex–husband?”


    I looked up at him, giving him a shocked look.


    Nathan grabbed his ss, walked over to the window, and knocked it back in one go. “Did you sign some deal with Mr. Hob just to help me out with the money?”


    I froze, totally thrown. Why would Nathan think I’d still have anything going on with Jared?


    “Victoria, if you’ve ever helped me, I want you to tell me. No matter what it is, I need to know,” Nathan said as he came back to the table, leaning forward, his eyes tinged with red. “I want to remember everything you’ve done for me. I hate owing people, but with you, it’s different. If I owe you, I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you–and I won’t ever regret it.”


    I just sat there, lost for words, not sure how to respond.


    Seeing me stay silent, Nathan’s voice softened. “Okay… can you talk to me now?”


    Under the table, my fingers twisted together so tightly they hurt. With my heart aching, I finally steeled myself and said, “Nathan, let’s break up.”


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    10:30 Sat, 30 Augu


    <b>Chapter </b><b>459 </b>