Chapter 29: Nathaniel’s care – genuine or false?
Zara clenched her jaw so hard it throbbed. Every fiber of her wanted to yell, to resist, but the thought of creating chaos outside her friend’s apartment made her bite it back. Swallowing her fury, she stayed quiet, letting Nathaniel carry her out.
He took her silence as surrender, and it fed his pride.
A smug grin crept onto his face.
Outside, Roberto stood waiting with the car door open. As he approached the car, Nathaniel’s eyes locked on the security guard a little away from them.
Nathaniel stopped, turned toward the man, and raised his chin with quiet confidence. "She is my wife, and I’m not a stalker."
The guard’s face turned ghost-white. He dropped his gaze, flustered, and turned away without a word.
Zara caught the strange interaction and narrowed her eyes, sensing something off. But before she could voice it, Nathaniel gently set her down in the back seat.
Once he climbed in beside her, she turned, unable to hold back. "What was that about? Do you know him?"
Nathaniel glanced at her, then noticed her seatbelt still hanging loose. He leaned in. "It’s a long story," he murmured. "I’ll tell you someday." He pulled the belt across her and clicked it into place.
Zara froze. Her breath caught in her throat. His closeness felt overwhelming, too sudden, too intimate.
Nathaniel didn’t pull away. His eyes lingered on hers, dark and unreadable. "I changed my cologne." His voice grew softer. "It’s a milder one now. I hope you’d like it."