Chapter 32


    As they walked back to their car, their armsden with the newly acquired items, there was at palpable


    sense of satisfaction in the air. Hazel, moved to buckle her children up in their seats, ensuring they


    were snug and secure.


    Once settled in their car seats, the kids clung to their new toys, their eyes wide with wonder and


    excitement. It was as if the magic of the toy store still lingered, and they reveled in the joy of their new


    toys. They giggled, yed, and chatted animatedly.


    Their journey home began, The city seemed to be winding down, transitioning into the soothing


    embrace of evening, the end of a day. As the minutes passed, the children’s boundless energy waned.


    Exhausted from the fun-filled day, the kids gradually sumbed to the irresistible allure of sleep. Their


    small frames slouchedfortably in their seats, their eyes growing heavy with drowsiness.


    The car pulled over gently, signaling their arrival home. Daisy, the lighter sleeper of the two, stirred


    awake immediately. She yawned sleepily, her eyes blinking in the dim light, as she readied herself to


    head into the house..


    Nathan, with Liam cradled in his arms, led the way into the building, guiding them towards the elevator.


    While Hazel, carrying the groceries in bags followed closely behind.


    Once they reached their floor, Nathan carried Liam into their cozy apartment. Hazel, with her dropped


    the groceries at the kitchen.


    Nathan made his way to the bedroom with a soft step, conscious not to disturb Liam’s peaceful


    slumber. He gently helped him remove his shoes, ensuring hisfort as he tucked him in gently.


    Hazel, standing by the door, observed this tender scene with a small, affectionate smile.


    With Liamfortably settled, Nathan walked quietly to the door, avoiding any obstacles that might


    cause a disturbance. He closed the door behind him, mindful not to make a sound that might stir the


    sleeping child.


    Nathan headed to thr kitchen where Hazel stood at the threshold her gaze locked onto Nathan, her


    heart filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. She needed to express what words alone couldn’t


    convey.


    Thank you, Nathan,” she began, her voiceced with warmth and sincerity. “For everything.”


    Nathan met her heartfelt gratitude with a gentle smile, his azure eyes capturing the essence. of his


    feelings. Those eyes had an almost mesmerizing quality when he looked at her this way, and Hazel


    found herself unable to break their connection. She stared back in daze.


    While they stood there, lost in a silent exchange of emotions, Hazel decided to extend her appreciation


    through a simple yet meaningful gesture. “Would you care for a small dinner?” she offered.


    “Nothing fancy, just a light meal


    Nathan, without hesitation, epted her offer, his eagerness apparent. He wanted to spend more time


    there.


    Sure, he replied, a yful grin on his face. Infact, 1 can make a mean sauce.


    With that, he moved gracefully into the kitchen, taking the initiative to wash his hands and prepare for


    their impromptu dinner. Hazel, positioned herself as his trusty assistant, chopping and preparing


    ingredients with precision.


    Together, they embarked on the task of preparing a modest dinner, their synchrony evident as they


    moved about the kitchen. Momentster, they were done and ready to eat.


    Seated at the kitchen table, bathed in the soft, dim glow of the lights, their surroundings took on an


    intimate and romantic ambiance. The low lighting cast alluring shadows, lending the room an aura of


    closeness and warmth.


    As they began their meal, Nathan noticed that Hazel seemed lost in thought, she kept moving her food


    around her te. Her absent-mindedness didn’t escape his keen. observation, and he couldn’t help but


    inquire, “What’s on your mind?”


    Hazel looked up, her smile seemingly forced. “It’s nothing,” she replied, though her eyes held a hint of


    something that she hesitated to share.


    He gently probed, “How’s Daisy’s healthing along?” It had been a while since he’d received an


    update on her condition and the impending surgery. Thest he heard was that Hazel was supposed to


    meet with a specialist to expedite Daisy’s surgery.


    “He’s retired,” Hazel responded with a touch of sadness. “I’ll have to find someone else.” Her voice


    carried a mixture of uncertainty and sadness.


    Hazel went on exining the events that had transpired, the fear she felt and everything.


    Nathan listened attentively, allowing Hazel to voice her concerns and fears. She spoke openly, sharing


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    her worries and doubts. “I’m sorry,” she eventually murmured, her thoughtsing back together.


    She had babbled off for a long time.


    Nathan was quick to reassure her. “No, it’s fine,” he said, his tone gentle and understanding.


    “Thank you, Nathan, for everything.” Her gratitude was genuine, and it held a depth that words could


    barely encapste. She knew that without his timely intervention that her twins might not have


    survived. And now, he was still present in their lives, a reliable person she could trust.


    Nathan nodded, his smile reflecting his appreciation for her words. Their dinner concluded, he stood


    up, signaling his intention to leave. “Well, goodnight,” he said, heading to the door. Hazel followed


    closely behind.


    However, before he made his exit, he shared some news with Hazel. “I’ll be away for business, he


    exined softly. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.”


    Hazel’s immediate response was heartfelt, “We’ll miss you.” Her words tumbled out without. much


    thought, revealing the truth of her feelings.


    Nathan’s eyes widened for a moment, his surprise evident.


    Hazel corrected herself with a light chuckle, “I mean, the kids. They’ll miss…” She trailed off.


    A wann smile graced Nathan’s features as he continued. “I’ll miss them too. And you as well


    With a final farewell, he turned to leave, heading toward the elevator. Just before entering, nced


    back one more time, catching sight of Hazel still standing there. She wore a


    radiant smile as she waved to him, her eyes filled with genuine affection. He reciprocated her smile and


    wave, a silent exchange of sentiments, before stepping into the elevator. In moments, he was gone,


    leaving Hazel with a sense of warmth.


    “Mommy.” Liam called grudgingly from his sleep walking to her while rubbing his eyes.


    “I want to pee” He whined.


    “Okay. Okay. Aming.” Hazel replied.


    Nathan lingered for a few moments in the car park of Hazel’s apartment a sense of reluctance tugging


    at his heartstrings. He had just bid farewell to Hazel. As he gazed up in the direction of their t, a quiet


    contemtion enveloped him. What would it be like to have a permanent ce in their lives? It was a


    question he had pondered countless times in silence.


    The thoughts of returning to his solitary and dimly lit home loomed before him hauntingly.


    It was a ce devoid of the lively chatter of children. The absence of someone waiting for him at home


    gnawed at him, leaving a hollowness that was hard to ignore.


    Unable to bear the weight of these thoughts any longer, he turned away from the direction. of Hazel’s


    t heading to his office. The familiar drive led him through the gates of the impressive corporate


    headquarters that bore his name. The security guard, a middle-aged man who had seen Nathan’s


    “Good evening, sir, the security guard began, his eyes filled with a quiet curiosity. “Would you be


    spending the night here again?”


    Nathan’s expression betrayed a mixture of resignation and determination as he sighed. The question


    touched upon a choice he had been making more frequentlytely. His office, with its polished exterior


    and vast spaces, offered him a refuge from the solitude of his home. It was a ce where he could lose


    himself in work, momentarily pushing aside his thoughts. and demons.


    He met the security guard’s inquisitive gaze and replied, “Yes, I’ll be here for the night Timothy, Nathan


    replied quietly.


    Timothy nodded in acknowledgment.


    “Goodnight, Nathan said as he turned to leave.


    Timothy inquired, “Should I order the usual from that store?”


    “No, don’t bother,” he replied. “I already ate.”


    Timothy, keenly aware of Nathan’s habits and knowing his boss most times ski p p e d dinner, pressed


    gently, “Are you sure?”


    Nathan sighed and hesitated for a moment.


    Yes, Timothy. I ate with… a friend.” The slight pause was telling, revealing that this “friend” held a


    special ce in his thoughts.


    With that, Nathan took his leave, heading towards the solitude of his evening at the office.


    As Nathan’s retreating figure disappeared from view, Timothy stood there for a few moments, a


    thoughtful and somewhat mncholic expression on his face. He couldn’t help. but wonder about his


    boss’s life. Nathan seemed to have everything wealth, power, and


    sess and even good looks. Yet, he was unhappy and lonely.


    He shrugged off his contemtive mood, reminding himself that at least Nathan had eaten this night


    and even eaten withpany this time around, a small victory. With a resigned. sigh, Timothy returned


    to his duties.


    Nathan set foot on the familiar grounds of his corporation, embarking on another night of work and


    solitude. The contrast between the vibrant moments he had shared with Hazel and her children and the


    quiet solitude of his office was disturbing.


    As the night wore on, Nathan found himself lying in bed, unable to sleep and staring up at the ceiling in


    the dimly lit room. Restlessness clung to him like an unweepanion, and he reached for his


    phone on the bedside table, he dialed a number he already knew by heart due to how often he called.


    On the other end, the phone rang several times before it was finally answered. “Jasmine,” Nathan said


    softly, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. ‘I hope I didn’t wake you.”


    In response, Jasmine, still groggy from sleep, sat up in her bed, instantly alert. “No,” she replied, her


    voice clear despite thete hour. I was just finishing up some work.”


    “Okay, good,” Nathan acknowledged, his tone reflecting his exhaustion. “I need you to find. Dr. Gomez


    first thing tomorrow morning. He’s a retired heart specialist.” He paused, his voice sounded low and


    exhausted.


    Jasmine, well-trained and ustomed to her boss’s instructions, responded promptly with a firm,


    “Understood, sir.”


    The line fell silent for a moment before Jasmine bid him goodnight, her voice filled with a mix of respect


    and empathy. “Good night, Sir.”


    Nathan, however, remained restless and unable to find sce in sleep. Nighttime was a torment for


    him, a time when the world was hushed, and his inner demons found their voice. Frustrated by his


    inability to find rest, he rose from the bed and crossed the room to hisptop, the soft glow of the


    screen casting an ethereal light on his face. There, he threw himself into his work, engrossed in


    creating new codes for hispany, the only sce he could find in the depths of the night.


    Meanwhile, Jasminey awake in her own bed, her mind racing with thoughts and concerns. She had


    been awakened by the unexpected call from her boss, and her instincts told her that it had something


    to do with one of the twins. She had seen Nathan that evening at the mall while shopping for her


    personal needs, with those children, and he had appeared genuinely happy and fulfilled. However, the


    tone of the man on the phone had been starkly different empty, sad, drained of energy.


    Worry gnawed at her as she considered the enigmatic man she served. Unable to find rest herself, she


    reached for her phone, determined to research Dr. Gomez. She knew that the only way she could truly


    be there for Nathan and assist him was by executing her work with precision and timeliness, ensuring


    that his orders were carried out wlessly.