Chapter400


    Mmusteredafaintsmile,maskingherinnerturmoilwithanairoposure.“I’mfine.<strong>I’m</strong>gonnago,”shesaidcasually.


    Withthat,sheswiftlypulledawayfromNathan’sembrace,dashedoutofthewalk–incloset,andlefttheroom.


    Nathanturnedtowatchherdepartingsilhouette.Hisheartchurnedwithconflictingemotionsashestruggledtprehend M’smotives.


    Whydidshecontinuetoseducehimifshedidn’tlovehim?


    Herwordsechoedinhismind:“Ifyoureturn,wecanstillbehusbandandwife.”


    Nathanrested hishandsagainstthemirror,closinghiseyesandbowinghishead.Ashedrewinadeepbreath,apangpiercedhischest.


    Hewaswell–versedinthepoliticalstrategiesemployedbyvariouscountries.Mstillhadfiveyearsleftonhercontract,andSuntendcertainlywouldn’tpermithertostayinNorvania.Regardlessofwhetheritwasfiveyearsorfifteen,Nathanwaspreparedtowait.


    Nheless,hecouldn’thelpbutwonder.WouldtheMofthefuturefeelthesameasshedidnow?Didshetrulywishtobehiswife?


    Washermentionofcontinuingasamarriedcouplemerelyapassingwhim,ordidshegenuinelyseehimasasuitablelifepartnerwithwhomshecouldbuildafuture?


    Regardless,NathanpromisedhimselfnevertoharmMforhisownselfishsatisfactionbeforetheyexchangedvows,whichincludedrefrainingfromphysicalintimacy.


    HefearedtheprospectofMregrettingiteron.


    Inthelivingroom,Msatonthesofa,wearingagloomyexpressionasshegazedatabook.Herthoughtswerescattered,andshewasunabletoconcentrateonthetextinherhandsasherminddriftedtoNathanupstairs.


    Suddenly,footstepsdescendedthestairs.


    Puttingthebookdown,M ncedup.


    Nathanlookedimpressiveinhissleekcksuit,projectingan airofdignity.Theattireplementedhisnobledemeanor,entuatinghisalreadystrikingandcharismatic


    presence.


    SeeingNathan’shandsomeappearance,Mcouldn’thelpbutfeelherheartraceastadmirationfloodedherbeing.


    “Nate,areyouheadingout?”sheasked,kneelingonthesofawithherhandsrestingonitsback.


    NathanadjustedhiscufflinksandapproachedM,hisgazetenderashemethereyes.“Aforeigndeputyprimeministerisvisiting,andthere’sastatebanquettoweehim.I’m


    obligedtoattend.”


    Mwasmomentarilystunned,suddenlygraspingthesituation.


    Coveringhermouthinsurprise,shestoodthereindisbeliefforamomentbeforefinallysaying,“Earlier,whenFennacamelookingforyou,shewantedtoapanyyou,didn’tshe?


    Nathanofferedafaintsmileandnodded.


    Mfeltarushofembarrassment,hangingherheadlow.“So,whatIjustdid…”


    Nathangentlycaressedthebackofherhead.“It’sokay,”hereassuredher<strong>,</strong>“aslongasI’mnote,Idon’tnecessarilyhavetogowithher.”


    “So,youwon’tbebackintimeforlunch?”M asked.


    “Youdon’tneedtowaitformetohavelunchordinner,”Nathanreplied.


    “Alright.”Macknowledgedwithanod.


    AsNathanturnedandtookafewsteps,M’svoicecalledoutfrombehind,“Nate,staysafe.”


    ncingback,Nathanfelthisheartsoftenashemetheranxiousgaze.


    Retracinghissteps,Nathangently cuppedM’sface,gazingdown atheraffectionately.”M,waitformeathome.”


    “Ofcourse,”Mrepliedwithasweetsmile,hereyesshimmeringwithadorationasshelookedathim.


    Nathanwastemptedtokissher,butherestrainedhimself,reluctantlylettinghergoandturningaway.


    Watchinghimleave,Mhurriedlyslippedonherslippersandchasedafterhim.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    AsMnearedthedoorway,shenoticedColestandingoutsideacar,apaniedbyFenna.


    ToM’ssurprise,Fennahadn’tleftandhadbeenwaitingoutsideforNathan..


    Mfeltanunprecedentedsenseofunease,whichstemmedfromFenna’s sincerityanddetermination.


    UnlikeSally,whodisyedarroganceandonlyknewhowtomakedemands,FennawaspreparedtomakesacrificesforNathan.


    Hergenuineconcernforhimwasevidentinherconsistentsupport,standingbyhimwithout.fail,evenasafriend.


    NotoncedidsheseekanythingfromNathan.


    IfNathanhadnotfalleninlovewithMfirst,hemighthavealreadymarriedFenna,consideringtheirsimrprofessions,sharedvalues,andmutualinterestsinconversation.


    AsMdwelledonthesethoughts,heruneaseanddistressintensified.Leaningagainstthetoweringpirnearthedoor,sheobservedsilentlyastheydepartedSudvitogetherinthe car .