Nathalie fixed her gaze on Lizzy, her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "You never used to chatter this much," she observed. Lizzy''s thorough exnation felt almost tooplete, leaving Nathalie with a lingering unease.


    She slowly sat up, her body still aching from the previous night, and a flicker of fear crossed her face. Memories of Mick and Colby encouraging her to drink reyed vividly in her mind. As she pieced together the fragments of her hazy memory, a chilling thought crept into her mind, sending a shiver down her spine.


    Could something have happened to her?


    Her face turned pale as the blood drained away. In a moment of desperation, Nathalie clutched Lizzy''s hand. "You''re not lying to me, right?"


    Lizzy raised her hand, swearing earnestly, "If I''m lying, may lightning strike me down."


    Nathalie took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Maybe she was overthinking things. If Lizzy had exined everything, surely she could trust her.


    "Okay, I get it,” Nathalie finally said.


    Downstairs, Morris kept ncing towards the staircase, worry evident in his eyes. When Nathalie appeared, looking pale and unsteady, supported by Lizzy, Morris''s grip tightened on his wheelchair. His eyes reflected a storm of guilt, anxiety, and tenderness.


    Nathalie joined Morris in the living room, settling beside him on the couch. Morris masked his guilt with aposed expression as he looked at her, the marks he''d left on her neck still visible.


    A blush crept up his face as he remembered the previous night''s wildness, a wave of self-reproach washing over him.


    “Nathalie, are you hungry?” he asked, his voice gentle.


    "They already cleared lunch. How about I whip up some spaghetti?" Morris offered with a warm smile.


    Nathalie rubbed her tired legs, muttering, “Why am I so exhausted today? Nathan, I''m starving. Make sure to add extra meat to the spaghetti."


    Morris chuckled. "Got it."


    He hurried off to the kitchen, where he prepared a mini feast for Nathalie, including a hearty bowl of spaghetti with poached eggs. Once everything was ready, Lizzy brought the dishes to the dining table.


    Morris emerged from the kitchen, dismissing Lizzy with a wave. "Lizzy, could you give us a moment? I need to talk to Nathalie." Content Belongs


    semerged from the kitchen,


    Lizzy nodded and left the room. “Sure.”


    Nathalie stared in disbelief. "Since when did she start listening to you so well?"


    Morrisughed. "She cares about you, Nathalie. Naturally, she extends that care to those close to you."


    Recalling Lizzy''s previous cluelessness, Nathalie murmured, "Looks like she''s finallye around."


    Morris nudged her, “Nathalie, how''s the spaghetti?”


    She twirled some pasta around her fork and took a bite.


    “Mmm, it''s good.” As she continued eating, surprise shed in her eyes.


    "This taste..."


    It was strangely familiar, even though it was Nathan''s first time cooking for her. Morris watched her closely, noticing her surprise. His fingers trembled slightly. "Nathalie, I''ve decided to start at Vincent Corporation next Monday."


    Nathalie snapped out of her thoughts, her fork paused mid-air. “So soon?"


    Morris smiled warmly. "The


    now Maybe I can make a real


    "}


    difference and impress Jules.''