She was determined to uncover the mastermind behind this nightmare and metaphorically tear his heart to shreds.


    Number 13 fell into an uneasy silence... eventually shaking his head with a kind of desperate resignation.


    Nathalie wrapped her arms around him and said, "Nathan, listen to me. You''re still young, and you''ve got your whole life ahead of you. Keep your head down in there, and try to get out as soon as you can. I''ll be waiting for you."


    "When you''re out, we can go see the Northern Lights, the ocean, and the first snowfall together. What do you say?"


    Number 13 let her hold him, his wandering soul finally finding a ce to rest. His once restless heart seemed to finally find peace.


    He had always wanted to see the Northern Lights, the ocean, and the first snowfall with Nathalie. But could his worn-out body make it to that day?


    "I''m sorry. I''ve already seen the Northern Lights, the ocean, and the first snowfall," he confessed.


    He had seen them plenty of times-on TV. Every time he watched, he wished Nathalie could be right there beside him, experiencing the Arctic''s lights and the sun setting over the sea...


    But he had wandered off the path, ending up in a mess.


    He tried to cut ties with her altogether.


    But Nathalie was as stubborn as ever: "Nathan, I''ve decided to take out all the money from the Maple Company ount to pay off your debts. I know you probably don''t agree, but you have to understand,pared to you, money doesn''t matter to me. I just want you to be okay."


    "Officer Baldwin mentioned that if we clear all your debts, they might reduce your sentence a lot."


    "Then, you could donate your electronic surveince system to the country. How about that? It''d be seen as a good deed and might even lighten your sentence further."


    Number 13 stayed silent, just giving Nathalie a look that was hard to read.


    Nathalie gave him a sweet smile: "I know I shouldn''t make decisions for you. But I miss you so much. Could you do this for me, and try toe back soon?"


    Number 13 sighed, saying with a hint of exasperation, "Even if you want to help, you should ask Officer Baldwin how much is actually needed. There''s no need to withdraw everything." That was the hard-earned money he made for her, for her future.


    He couldn''t stand seeing her waste it all.


    Nathalie beamed: "So, you''re saying yes?"


    Number 13 turned his head, trying sound indifferent despite the


    nate tone: "It''s r


    because you''re so persistel neo


    Nathalie, overjoyed, replied, "Yes, yes, I''m too persistent."


    She managed a smile through her tears.


    Seeing her radiant smile, a soft warmth spread in his chest.


    He felt so lucky. He might have lost his own happiness, but at least she could still have hers.


    Nathalie felt a wave of relief wash over her, having achieved what she came for.


    Just then, Officer Baldwin came over and said, "Ashley, visiting hours are over. You need to go."


    Nathalie''s mind went nk for a moment, and she grabbed Number 13''s hand tightly. Her expression, full of fear at the thought of leaving, cut through Number 13''s heart like a knife.


    Officer Baldwin, feeling a tug of sympathy, didn''t rush her.


    He stood by, patiently waiting for them to say their goodbyes.


    "Nathan, what''s your real name?" Nathalie asked. "I mean, your real name."


    "My name is Morris," Number 13 finally said.


    Nathalie stood frozen, like a statue...


    In her memories, Nathan had told her more than once: "My name is Morris, I''m a child of the Rond family. Also a child of the McCoy family."


    Nathan was Morris.


    Morris was also Nathan.


    So all these years, it seemed like Nathan was with her, but it was Morris who had


    truly been by her side all along.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!