Chapter 123 - 123: Do you like me, Nathaniel?

Words : 1296 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Zara went rigid. Mortified, her face heated up. "Get off me." She pushed at his chest. He didn't budge. His body was solid, unyielding, like a wall she couldn't shift. After a few futile attempts, she gave up, her arms dropping in defeat. "Can you move aside?" she asked, meeting his gaze. "I need to check on Zane." "It's Saturday," he replied smoothly. "No school today. Let him sleep a little longer. And you stay here with me. Let me hold you a bit more." He rolled onto his side, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her firmly against him. Zara didn't resist this time. Her cheeks burned, her heartbeat stumbling into a quicker rhythm. She had often imagined a morning like this—Nathaniel holding her close, showing her affection, making her pulse quicken. And now, it was happening, really happening. The moment felt like a dream fulfilled. She couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. She wished time could freeze right here. If only every morning for the rest of her life could begin like this. She knew it was just wishful thinking. Nathaniel had no feelings for her. He would soon grow bored with her and revert to his previous cold demeanor. But at that moment, she didn't care. She let herself sink into the feeling, her eyes fluttering shut. 'Let's stay like this a little longer.' She breathed in the comfort of his warmth wrapping around her, seeping into the deepest part of her. ~~~~~~~~~~ Riya stepped out of her room, her movements slow and heavy, hesitation clear in her demeanor. The sting of last night's humiliation still clung to her, making the idea of facing anyone in the house unbearable. She had decided she'd leave early for her shoot to avoid any interaction with the family members. But as she descended the stairs, she saw everyone gathered around the dining table. Laughter and chatter floated through the air. Paulina was smiling warmly at Zane as she handed him a glass of milk. Gracie was busy buttering toast, sliding it onto Zane's plate while chiming in their light-hearted conversation. Vincent glanced at them as he forked a piece of pancake into his mouth, with a faint trace of amusement in his eyes. Across from him, Nathaniel sat in his usual calm composure, his attention on the business section of the paper, pausing now and then to take slow sips of coffee. But Zara wasn't there. Perhaps she, too, was avoiding the group. Riya stopped midway through the hallway. Watching their warm interactions, untroubled, her heart ached. She waited there, half-expecting that someone might notice her and call her over. But no one looked up. No greeting. No invitation. It was as if she didn't exist. Or maybe they were deliberately ignoring her. The ache that tightened her chest worsened. The cold shoulder from her family was unfamiliar, jarring. She had never faced such a situation. She didn't know what to do. A part of her wanted to walk over and demand they remember she still existed, that they couldn't simply shut her out. But the other part was too ashamed, too hurt to face them. "I'm leaving for the shoot," she said, her voice louder than necessary, forcing them to hear her. All heads turned her way. She lingered there, expecting, almost willing, someone to stop her. If not her father or Nathaniel, surely her mother would stop her. Gracie had never let her leave without breakfast, no matter how rushed she was. Her mother would always insist that Riya at least drink her juice. But today, no one said a word. Not even Gracie. The sting of being ignored was unbearable. Her fists curled tightly at her sides, irritation threatening to boil over. She had just turned to leave when Gracie's voice cut through the air. "Breakfast is ready. Come and eat." But there was no softness in it, no trace of the warmth Riya had always known from her mother. The words felt hollow, spoken out of obligation rather than care. "No, I'm late," Riya shot back, her tone clipped. "I'll eat on set." Without waiting for a reply, she strode toward the door, her frustration fueling each step. Some part of her still hoped that someone would call after her, stop her from walking out like this. No one did. Hot tears stung her eyes as she crossed the threshold. Never before had her family turned cold on her, shut her out like this. And it was all because of Zara. "I won't forget this humiliation," she muttered through clenched teeth. Outside, the driver moved quickly to open the car door for her. "Give me the keys," she said sharply. "I won't need you today." The man handed her the keys. She brushed past him with a shove, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine. With a sharp press of the accelerator, she sped away. ~~~~~~~~ Zara stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. The bright sunlight poured into the room. She blinked, glancing around, only to realize she was alone. She had only meant to rest beside Nathaniel for a short while. But she had no idea when she had drifted off completely. The brightness of the windows told her it was late. She sat up quickly, snatching her phone from the nightstand. 11:30 a.m. Her eyes widened. "What? I slept this long?" Her stomach sank. She never slept in so late. How had she lost track of time like this? And this wasn't even Nathaniel's villa; it was the Grant family mansion. By now, the whole household was likely up and about… even Zane. The thought of walking out to face them made her hesitate. "Mommy, you are awake." Zane's cheerful voice broke her thoughts. She turned toward the doorway and saw him bounding in, Nathaniel following at a slower pace, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Zane scrambled onto the bed and wrapped his small arms around her, grinning from ear to ear. Zara hugged him back, ruffling his hair. "Did you have breakfast?" "Yes. A long time ago," he said proudly. "And we are going out now. Get ready quick." Zara's gaze shifted to Nathaniel, curiosity in her eyes. "Where are we going?" "Shopping," he replied simply. "Yes, let's go, Mommy." Zane tugged at her arm, his excitement bubbling over. "We are going to have so much fun." "Alright, wait for me. I'll freshen up first." Zara slipped off the bed. She stopped when she reached Nathaniel's side, a faint trace of embarrassment clouding her eyes. "Why didn't you wake me?" she asked in a low tone, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "It's almost noon. What will everyone think? It's… embarrassing." "You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to disturb you," he replied. A playful smirk tugged at his lips. Leaning down, he added in a low murmur, "Besides… you looked tempting while you were sleeping. I couldn't resist taking advantage of that." Heat rushed to her cheeks. She shoved him lightly and darted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She pressed her back to it, her chest rising and falling faster than usual. His words replayed in her mind, sending a flutter through her stomach. Slowly, a smile curved her lips as her fingertips grazed them. The image of him leaning down to kiss her while she slept made her pulse quicken. Was this really the same cold, distant man she had once known? 'Do you like me, Nathaniel?' she wondered silently.

Chapter 123 - 123: Do you like me, Nathaniel?

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