Chapter 57
Nellie went as pale as a ghost, quickly pulling Nathan behind her for protection. Cameron’s raised fist never came down; instead, he just stared at Nellie, dumbfounded. As he watched her stand up for another guy with such determination, something inside him began to crumble. The once timid Nellie had only ever shown courage for him. But now, her courage was no longer his alone. He finally realized he had lost the girl who once loved him so completely.
Seizing the moment of Cameron’s distraction, Nellie grabbed Nathan’s hand, and they dashed off. They stopped on a deserted street, where Nellie tried to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling. Then, she gave Nathan a playful punch on the chest, her anger more bark than bite. “He’s like the most important person of the Capital. Even your big brother’s careful around him. Are you trying to make life hard for yourself in the Capital?”
Nathan put on a mock hurt face. “He had it coming.”
The thought of Cameron with a black eye made Nellie secretly pleased, but she was also worried about Nathan’s safety. She kept reminding him, “When we’re back in the Capital, keep your head down until you’re more powerful.”
Nathan’s smile was like the sun breaking through clouds. “Of course, I’ll do as you say.”
Nellie felt a huge relief wash over her.
“Nathan, while I’m off doing my internship, I won’t be around to look out for you. You need to stay sharp and not get caught up in anything sketchy.”
Nathan’s eyes sparkled like stars, his smile pure and innocent. “You’re starting to sound like a worrywart. You’re only 22” Nellie paused.
Yeah, she was just 22. But she felt like she’d lived through a lot more.
Despite her youthful age, her heart had been through too many goodbyes and tough times.
This wasn’t how her fresh start was supposed to be.
She forced a bright smile for him. Nathan beamed back. “You look amazing when you smile. Keep doing that, okay?” “Will do.”
Out of the blue, Nathan presented a velvet box to Nellie. “Here, a little gift for you.”
Nellie gasped, covering her mouth. Nathan coming all this way to see her was already the best gift. She hadn’t expected anything else. His sincerity meant so much more than her so–called husband or her fake family.
“Thank you, Nathan.”
“Go on, open it.”
Inside the box was a stunning green ladies‘ diamond watch.
Nathan added, “You’re now Jasmine’s student and will be leaving soon for some intensive internship. It’ll be ages before I see you. Promise me you’ll come back for my birthday?”
“Of course, I promise.”
The tension in Nathan’s eyes melted away.
He cheerfully said goodbye, “There’s a countdown to my birthday on the watch. It’ll remind you when to come back. So, it’s a deal. I’ll be waiting for you in the Capital.”
Nellie smiled warmly. “Take care, Nathan.”
Turning around, she headed towards her apartment building.
Outside her building, Cameron was standing like a statue, staring in the direction Nellie was coming from. The cigarette butts scattered on the ground told the story of his troubled mind.
Nellie intended to walk right past him, but Cameron grabbed her arm. “Nellie, can we talk?”
Nellie looked at him with a lazy gaze.
“Talk about what?”
Her indifferent expression made Cameron feel a sharp pang in his heart.
So, love really could fade away.
“Nel, do you hate me for taking your kidney?”
