Chapter 96
Eliana wasn’t in the mood to argue with him, so she just thanked him again like he wanted, hung up, and rushed out the door.
Nathan watched the call end, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he set his phone down on the table.
Richard watched him and let out a soft scoff. “So, you asked me out for dinner tonight, but I can tell you’ve got an ulterior motive, huh?
“What if I turn her down later? Wouldn’t all that bragging you just did blow up in your face? You’d totally lose face in front of her, wouldn’t you?”
Nathan’s expression changed in an instant. He hurried to say, “I’m serious, man. You really can’t mess with me like this today.
“Any other time, do whatever you want to mess with me, but today, no way. Not when it’s about her.”
Richard perked up, grinning. “Looks like I hit the nail on the head. There’s definitely something going on here.
“So, since she’s not here yet, are you gonna give me the inside scoop now and let me enjoy the drama early, or should I just wait and watch the fireworks live?
“Nathan, you know watching you squirm is my favorite thing ever.”
Richard said this totally seriously, not joking around at all.
“Richard, did you forget who gave you all my spare cash when you were starving and couldn’t even afford a meal?” Nathan shot back.
He added, “Is this how you pay me back? You know that’s called biting the hand that feeds you, right?
“Man, you’re a lawyer. How can you act like this?”
But Richard just cracked up. “Come on, Nathan, are you really gonna keep bringing up that one hundred and fifty bucks forever? Is that your go–to story for life now?
“After all the times I’ve helped you out over the years, that’s gotta be worth way more than that, right? You still trying to guilt–trip me with that? Sorry, man, that trick’s worn out. Try a new one.”
Nathan let out a heavy sigh and fixed Richard with a serious look.
He knew Richard loved to stir things up, and if he was curious about what was going on between Nathan and Eliana, he wouldn’t stop until he’d pried out every secret.
He might not actually turn Eliana down as he joked, but he’d have no problem grilling Nathan about everything, stuff that’s fair game and stuff that’s totally off–limits, right in front of her.
So, Nathan figured he might as well spill the beans himself.
Chapter 96
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With that in mind, Nathan said, “Honestly, there’s not much to tell. It’s not some epic love story like you’re imagining. It was just my first love, that’s all.
“We dated in high school, but you know how things went. I left, and we just drifted apart naturally.
“I didn’t even know if I’d ever come back, or if I could even make it out of that mess in one piece. So, I didn’t explain anything to her, and I didn’t even say goodbye when I left.
“We were fighting at the time, and she brought up breaking up. I just went along with it, and then I left the country.”
“So, she got married, but ended up with the wrong guy?” Richard cut in.
“It was my fault,” Nathan admitted. “She acts as if none of it matters now, but I know she’s actually really sensitive and perceptive.
“Back then, even a joke from me could make her upset for days. It even got so bad that she wanted to break up with me. So, when I left without a word, that must’ve hit her even harder.
“Honestly, I can’t even let myself think about it too much. I just don’t get how someone as proud as her could let herself compromise for Logan all those years.
“She’s always had that prickly personality, you know?
“Lately, I’ve been wondering if when I left, I took all her pride and confidence with me.
“She only mentioned breaking up once during a fight, and I just disappeared without a word.
“That must’ve really messed her up, made her doubt herself so much that in every relationship after, she kept sacrificing who she was just to avoid getting hurt like that again.
“So, yeah, it’s my fault. I owe her…”
Nathan was pouring his heart out, but Richard was busy polishing off almost everything on the table.
“Nathan, you’re so stingy. Is this all you ordered? Who’s this supposed to feed, huh?” Richard teased.
Hearing that, Nathan shook off the heavy mood for a moment and called the waiter over with a laugh.
“You still love her, don’t you?” Right then, Richard spoke up again.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Nathan shot back, bristling.
Here Nathan was, trying to pour his heart out, and all Richard cared about was stuffing his face.
Nathan had laughed, thinking maybe he was taking things too seriously and was about to order more food for Richard, only for Richard to suddenly whip the conversation right back to Eliana.
‘Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?‘ Nathan thought. ‘Even for someone with a wild imagination, this is just too much.’
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Chapter 96
“Nathan, you’re asking me for help and still cussing me out?” Richard shot back.
“Just this once, can you please act like a normal person?” Nathan gritted his teeth, glaring at Richard.
A
હા મૂકવા ક
If Richard wasn’t so damn good at handling divorce cases, Nathan would never have introduced him to
Eliana.
To Nathan, Richard was basically a walking time bomb, scary as hell.
“Alright, fine. Just answer my question, and I’ll behave,” Richard said, polishing off the last bit of dessert and wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Nathan’s brow knitted together as he mulled over the question Richard had just thrown at him.
He knew exactly what was in his heart, but putting it into words was never easy.
But with Richard, somehow it felt easier to be honest.
Just as Nathan was about to admit it, Eliana called out from behind, “Sorry, I’m late.”
Richard sighed, teasing, “Actually, you’re early.”
Seeing Nathan frown, Richard quickly stood up and politely offered his hand to Eliana. “Richard.”
Eliana hurried to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Luther. I’m Eliana Lyons.”
“Please, Ms. Lyons, have a seat,” Richard said, pulling out a chair for her.
Once he’d finished, he sat back down and looked at Eliana. “Ms. Lyons, you’re here about a divorce case, right? Can you tell me a bit about you and your…”
He was about to say ‘husband,‘ but caught Nathan’s look and quickly cleared his throat. “I mean, can you tell me what the current situation is between you and Logan?
“Is it that things have fallen apart between you two, or is there something else going on? Just speak freely and give me as many details as you can. The more I know, the better I can help.”
“Okay,” Eliana replied, instinctively glancing at Nathan.
To be honest, Eliana had never imagined there could be anything left between her and Nathan, but having to talk about all this in front of him was so awkward it made her skin crawl.
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Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
