Chapter 14
Christina stared at the black card in her hand, her fingers curling around it. I don’t want anything to do with Nathaniel. How can I possibly accept his money now? The thought was both liberating and frustrating. She gritted her teeth, feeling a sharp pang of reluctance as she passed the card back to him.
“I don’t want your money. You can take it back,” she said, her voice more firm than she felt.
For a moment, Nathaniel didn’t move. His gaze lingered on her, a mix of amusement and something darker in his eyes. He saw through her hesitation—her desire to reject him, but also the reluctance to give up the comfort the card represented. She wants it, but won’t admit it. She’s truly something else, he thought.
With long strides, he closed the distance between them, his towering presence overwhelming her. Without taking the card, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him. His chest, solid and muscular, pressed against hers, and the intoxicating scent of him enveloped her. The warmth of his breath along the side of her ear sent a jolt of electricity through her, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.
Christina tensed. What is he doing? The walls she had built started to crumble, her breath becoming shallow as she felt his body heat radiating into hers.
She tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding. His fingers grazed her cheek, the touch deliberate, as if savoring the moment. He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her neck as if claiming ownership of every inch of her.
Her mind raced in panic. “W-What are you doing?” she stammered, trying to pull back, but his hold only tightened.
A sly smile tugged at the corner of Nathaniel’s lips. His eyes glinted with an unreadable emotion. “Have you thought it through? If you leave me, how are you going to explain to the Steeles?”
Her body went still. Her heart skipped a beat, the color draining from her face. She had been so focused on her personal plans that she hadn’t even considered what would happen without Nathaniel’s protection.
“You—how do you know about my relationship with the Steeles?” Her voice was low, tinged with disbelief and growing anxiety.
Nathaniel’s smile deepened, and he gently caressed her cheek, his fingers trailing along her smooth skin. “I’m just worried about you,” he said softly, his tone deceptively calm. He tucked another strand of hair behind her ear before letting his hand rest lightly on her neck, his touch sending a shiver through her.
“If you return, they might make things difficult for you or your mother…” His voice was quiet, but there was a heavy undertone in his words. The unspoken threat was clear, even though he didn’t elaborate.
Christina froze. He investigated me. All this time, he knew more about me than I thought… Her mind spun, anger flooding her chest. She had been so careful, so private about everything—yet Nathaniel had seen through her walls.
Her eyes narrowed, fury bubbling to the surface. “You investigated me!” she spat, her voice shaking with a mix of betrayal and outrage. “What right do you have to do that? Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you can pry into my life!”
Nathaniel’s smile only deepened, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. He seemed to revel in her reaction, enjoying the chaos he had stirred.
Christina, trying to mask her frustration, glared at him. “With so many women out there, why did you choose me as your wife? You could’ve chosen anyone else. Why me?” She fought to control the heat in her voice, but the question hung heavy in the air. There are so many women willing to be with him. Why doesn’t he just let me go?
Nathaniel’s expression hardened, the playful smirk vanishing in an instant. His gaze turned intense, resolute. “No, I can’t.” His words were final, shutting down any possibility of discussion.
Christina’s breath caught in her throat. Her emotions swirled—confusion, frustration, and something else she couldn’t quite place. She had expected more from him, but his three words silenced her completely. There was no room for negotiation.
She stood there in silence, feeling utterly defeated. Her pride, her arguments—they all seemed to crumble under his unwavering resolve.
Nathaniel, sensing her quiet defeat, softened his approach. He took in the pout on her lips, the way her shoulders sagged, and for a moment, a flicker of tenderness passed across his face. He reached out awkwardly and patted her head, trying to comfort her. “Be good now. I’ll help you find evidence and seek justice,” he said, his tone surprisingly gentle.
Christina recoiled, swatting his hand away in annoyance. “No, thank you!” she snapped, her voice sharp. She was done being the helpless pawn in his game.
But even as she rejected his offer, the weight of his words lingered in her mind. With his power and wealth, he could have this all figured out in an instant.
She had spent years fighting for control of her life, but with Nathaniel, it seemed everything was slipping from her grasp. She didn’t know how to break free from him. And, for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to.