<b>Chapter </b><b>459 </b>


    Nathan’s expression froze on his face, those deep eyes–usually calm–now flickering with shock.


    For a split second, it was like he couldn’t even process what I’d just said. He let out a short, almost disbelievingugh. “Victoria, what are you even saying?”


    I let out a quiet sigh, lifting my eyes to meet his. “I’m saying we should break up.”


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    “Break up? Is that just for a while, or… forever?” Nathan’s voice turned rough, and if you listened closely, <i>you </i><i>could </i>hear it


    trembling.


    I turned my face toward the window, my voice softening. “Forever.”


    Nathan clenched his jaw, his lips pressed into a tight line. After a long pause, he set his fork down, his voice tinged with self–deprecation. “Is what Mr. Hob said true? Was it really you who went to the Jennings family to get me out of


    trouble?”


    My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately looked at him. “Why would Jared tell you that? Isn’t he sticking his nose in too


    much?”


    “It’s not his fault. I asked him to tell me the truth.” Nathan suddenly stood up and moved to sit next to me. He reached out and took my hand. “Why are your fingers so cold? Victoria, did Ryan ask you to break up with me?”


    I took a deep breath, gently pulling my hand back from his grasp. “It’s not exactly a condition, but he did help out. Nathan, you know better than anyone how hard it’s been for you to get here. Let’s try to be rational about this.”


    Nathan’s eyes suddenly reddened, and the next second, his voice cracked with emotion. “Thank you, Victoria. Thank you for helping me when I was lost.”


    “I’m always happy to help out as a friend…”


    “So losing you is the cost I have to bear?” Nathan cut me off. He wasn’t angry–just sounded like fate had drained the fight out of him, leaving him a little hollow inside.


    “Nathan, these are two different things. Us breaking up… it’s because of me. I’m not someone worth waiting for. I told you before, I’m not the ending you’re looking for.” I stood up, my thoughts all tangled and messy.


    “I never wanted anything in return. Honestly, just stealing a moment with you in the middle of our busy lives already feels like a luxury. That’s enough for me.” Nathan stood up too,ing to stand behind me, his voice raw with pain.


    I knew he never asked for much, but since this was the deal I made with Ryan, I had to keep my word.


    “Nathan, you should focus on your career. I truly believe you have a brilliant future ahead of you. Love… it’s just something insignificant in your life…”


    “No.” Nathan suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me so tightly that my mind was in turmoil.


    “No, it’s not insignificant. To me, it’s a weight I can hardly bear.” Nathan’s voice broke again, thick with emotion.


    10:30 Sat, 30 Aug


    I was at a loss for words. Time seemed to freeze between us.


    But when ites to love, the worst thing is to drag it out and leave things unresolved.


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    23


    Nathan stood rigid, his grip on my wa


    unyielding. His breath was hot against my neck as he murmured, “Did you fall for


    him?”


    I stayed silent.


    “Not answering means yes.” Nathan gave a self–mockingugh. “Victoria, are you really going to be like a firework- dazzling for a moment, then gone without a trace?”


    A dull ache throbbed in my chest. Nathan’s long, silent crush had finally bloomed for a brief moment, only toe full


    circle and end where it began.


    “Nathan, don’t do this. Let’s both calm down.” I reached for his hands, trying to pry his fingers away.


    Nathan actually let go, stepping back a couple of steps. “Alright, let’s talk this out calmly.”


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    10:30 Sat, 30 Aug