M was startled, and the memories came flooding back to her. She realized that Nathan had gotten it


    all wrong from the very beginning. “You''re fine with a loveless marriage, but have you considered my


    feelings?" Nathan asked. He tried to control his emotions even though he felt hurt.


    M stomped her foot in anger. "Nate, I didn''t marry you just because Grandma wanted me to."


    "Why, then?"


    “I''ve been secretly crushing on you for three years!" M blurted out. Nathan froze and stared at her


    incredulously.


    M''s cheeks grew warm. She shyly lowered her eyes and whispered, “I''ve had a crush on you for a


    long time."


    Nathan grabbed her shoulders in excitement and looked her in the eyes. Tears welled in his eyes, and


    his hands trembled as he asked, "Did you just say you had a crush on me?


    M blushed and nodded, unable to look him in the eyes.


    "For three years?" Nathan asked again. He was still in disbelief. "From the time you knew me when you


    were still Suzanne?"


    M nodded once again. She could feel her heart beating faster. It was only now that she realized how


    embarrassing it was to confess.


    She couldn''t shake off the feeling of awkwardness that was overwhelming her.


    Nathan smiled warmly, though tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "But you also told me that you


    weren''t in love with me. How am I supposed to know what to believe?"


    M raised her head defiantly and gazed into his teary eyes. "Why would I carry your child if I weren''t in


    love with you? And wouldn''t a sperm bank give me more options if all I wanted was good genes?"


    "You''re such a bad girl," Nathan whispered. He pulled her into a tight embrace as if he never wanted to


    let her go.


    M was overwhelmed by his hug. She held onto his waist, feeling the thud of his heartbeat and the


    warmth of his breath.


    "Nate, I''m sorry," she whispered back. It pained her to see Nathan suffer so much in the past six


    months.


    She felt guilty as she continued, "I didn''t mean to treat you badly, but I couldn''t bring myself to admit my


    feelings. I was scared that if I did and I couldn''t get back to you, it would hurt you even more."


    Nathan''s voice was full of emotion as he whispered in her ear, "And what about after you got back?


    Why do you still treat me that way?" M sniffed, feeling a pang of jealousy in her heart as she replied,


    "Why did you have to get so close to Fenna? I would have kept it from you until the baby was born if


    my pregnancy hadn''t been discovered.” Nathan took a deep breath and buried his face in her shoulder.


    He murmured, "How could you have been so bad?"


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    M couldn''t help but find his usation somewhat amusing. Her sadness was slowly fading away.


    She gently caressed his waist tofort him. "Nate, are you trying to be adorable with me?"


    "No way," Nathan responded. His tone was firm at first but then softened as he added, "But I''m willing


    to give it a shot if it makes you happy.”


    "Great, now say “darling’ for me in a cute voice," M teased.


    Nathan released her and stood straight. With a nk expression, he took her hand and led her forward.


    "Let''s go home."


    As they walked, M nced up at him with a yful grin. "Oh,e on. Give it a try. Say “darling’ to


    me in a cute voice."


    Nathan''s face became serious. With a furrowed brow, he reminded her, "Keep your eyes on the road.”


    "Nate," M called out. She drew out her words in a soft, loving tone of voice.


    Nathan''s serious facade vanished instantly. He pressed his lips together to hold back augh, but the


    warmth and affection in his eyes were impossible to hide.