Chapter 55 Nonsense,
Christina’s voice was steady but icy, her words laced with a bitterness she could no longer hide. The memory of her past with Miranda was a wound that hadn’t healed, and now Miranda’s actions were pushing it wide open again.
Miranda’s face twisted in disbelief, her anger flaring. “You think you’re so righteous now, don’t you? What do you know about repaying your debts, huh? Your father did everything he could to raise you, and now you’re turning your back on him and this family?” She sneered, her eyes glinting with disdain. “But then again, you’ve always been ungrateful, haven’t you?”
Christina’s grip on her temper tightened as she leaned in closer, her eyes burning with fury. “Ungrateful? You sold me off to the highest bidder, Miranda. You think I’m going to forget that? And now, you’re manipulating my mother just to get what you want? That’s crossing a line.”
Miranda’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “You really think you can do anything to stop me? You think Nathaniel will always protect you? You’re nothing but a pawn in his world, and you know it.” Her words dripped with venom, each one calculated to hurt.
Christina’s heart thundered in her chest, but she didn’t back down. She had endured enough. “You’ll regret this, Miranda. I will never let you hurt my family again.” Her voice was low but unwavering.
The tension between them was thick enough to slice, but just as Christina stepped forward, a voice interrupted, cold and stern.
“Is there a problem here, Miranda?”
Both women turned to see Nathaniel standing just behind Christina, his expression unreadable. He had been quietly observing the scene, his presence commanding and strong as always. His eyes were hard, locked onto Miranda as if daring her to challenge him.
Miranda’s smug smile faltered, and she straightened up, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “Nathaniel! What are you doing here?” She forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you. I was just having a little chat with Christina here.”
Nathaniel’s gaze never wavered from her. “I don’t think you were just chatting. I think you were trying to make Christina’s life harder, as usual.” His voice was sharp, a warning that Miranda clearly didn’t want to provoke further.
Christina glanced at him, feeling a strange comfort in his presence, even though she knew the tension was far from over. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her chest.
“Do you have any idea how much you’ve hurt my family?” Nathaniel continued, his tone colder than Christina had ever heard it. “Christina doesn’t owe you anything, and I won’t let you manipulate her or her mother again.”
Miranda’s face twisted in anger, but she kept her voice controlled. “You’re siding with her? After everything Christina has done to you and your family? What about Xandra? She’s the one who truly belongs by your side!”
Nathaniel’s expression grew even darker, and Christina could see the storm brewing in his eyes. He stepped closer to her, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. “Xandra’s actions speak for themselves. I’m not interested in her games anymore. Christina is my wife, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”
The finality in his words was unmistakable, and for the first time, Miranda seemed unsure. She opened her mouth to retort, but Nathaniel’s gaze was so fierce, she closed it again. She knew when she was beaten—at least for now.
Without another word, she turned on her heel, storming off with as much dignity as she could muster, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
Christina let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and glanced up at Nathaniel. “I didn’t want to cause trouble for you,” she murmured, guilt creeping in despite everything.
Nathaniel’s face softened as he turned to face her fully. “You didn’t cause any trouble. Miranda’s the one who started all of this. I’m just making sure she understands that she won’t get away with it.” He paused, his eyes scanning her face with an intensity that made her heart race. “And I’ll always be here to protect you. Always.”
The sincerity in his voice melted some of the tension in Christina’s chest, and for the first time that day, she allowed herself to relax. Her mother’s condition still weighed heavily on her, but with Nathaniel’s support, she felt a little less alone in this battle.
“I just… I’m worried about Mom,” Christina said softly, her voice tinged with concern. “She’s been through so much, and now this happens. I don’t know how to help her.”
Nathaniel nodded, his expression softening. “We’ll figure it out. You’re not alone in this, Christina. We’ll get through it together.” He reached out and gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek in a gesture of comfort.
Christina closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel his warmth, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace.
“Thank you, Nathaniel,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He smiled, a small but genuine expression that made her heart flutter. “You’ll never have to find out. I’m not going anywhere.”
And for the first time in a long time, Christina allowed herself to believe it.