Morris had this icy vibe about him that you couldn''t ignore. Ashley, feeling the chill, pulled her coat tighter, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.


    "Nathan, do you have a thing for her?" she asked.


    Morris didn''t say a word. His silence spoke volumes, confirming Ashley''s worst fears.


    Ashley felt a wave of irritation wash over her. "You shouldn''t be into her. I straight- up asked her, and she said she sees you as nothing more than a brother."


    To prove her point, Ashley whipped out her phone and yed a recording, letting Morris hear the verdict firsthand.


    Morris''s handsome face turned to stone, his lips pressed into a tight line. It was obvious he was ticked off. Really ticked off.


    Feeling a bit smug, Ashley tried her luck and reached for Morris''s hand. But he recoiled like she was a rattlesnake, ring at her with a dark, intense look.


    Panicked, Ashley blurted out, "Nathan, why are you looking at me like that?"


    Morris''s deep voice wasced with disdain. "Ashley, I can''t stand sneaky little games right in front of me."


    The recording was just too obviously tampered with.


    Done with the conversation, Morris didn''t even give Ashley another nce as he walked away.


    Ashley was left in a daze, staring at Morris''s retreating figure. "Nathan, why won''t you believe me?"


    Morris didn''t bother answering. Angry and frustrated, Ashley kicked the wall, only to end up hurting herself and bursting into tears. Her heart ached with the unfairness of it all. "Why are you so cold to me?"


    A gentle spring rain swept away the world''s pretense. At Stewart Estate, the trees and flowers were a burst of vibrant colors, reds zing like fire.


    Nathaliey slumped on the windowsill, gazing nkly outside. Even though the day had crept into the afternoon, she stayed in her in white pajamas, her eyes empty, her thoughts scattered.


    Through her eyes, the flowers and trees morphed into Nathan''s face He waved at her like a yful kid. "Nathalie, I''ll be back soon. Wait for me so we can have dinner together."


    The scene shifted to Nathan holding her, his cheeks a rosy red, his voice a husky whisper filled with longing.


    "Nathalie, I don''t just want you as a sister. I want you as my wife."


    He leaned in to kiss her, but his lips only touched her forehead.


    Nathalie muttered to herself, confused, "Are you in love with me, or is it just a crush?"


    If it was just a crush, why did he keep teasing her? Making ripples in her onée calm heart. But if he really loved her, why didn''t they have the bond of a real couple?


    Out of nowhere, she reached out, trying to hold onto Nathan. But Nathan''s face transformed into Morris''s.


    His cold face was always hidden behind dark sunsses, shutting down any emotional connection.


    "What are you doing here?" Nathalie mumbled, vaguely recalling that Morris was still in prison.


    Morris approached her slowly, his gaze filled with such warmth, such tenderness.


    "Nathalie."


    Through her tears, Nathalie asked him, "Nathan, are you the one who wants me to be happy?"


    "The one who says he loves me?"


    "The one who wants to protect me forever?"


    "You''re


    orchestrating


    Nathahe onewords to me. I


    you also the one who makes me cry?"


    Morris didn''t answer, just kept looking at her with those gentle eyes. And


    suddenly, Nathalieughed.