Chapter 56 Dream On
Christina let out a startled gasp as Nathaniel’s grip on her tightened. She could feel the heat from his anger, but also the tenderness of his touch as he gently pressed her down.
“Don’t you dare do anything like this again,” Nathaniel’s voice was low and cold, his eyes flashing with intensity. “I don’t care if they’re your family, Christina. No one should lay a hand on you, especially not him.”
Christina blinked, taken aback by his outburst. She had never seen him so furious before, not even when they had faced much worse situations together. His protective nature, while comforting, also made her realize how deeply he cared for her.
“I’m fine, Nathaniel,” she whispered, trying to ease his anger. She reached for his hand, the one that had been gently massaging her bruise moments earlier, and held it softly in hers. “I’ve dealt with worse. It’s just a bruise.”
But Nathaniel didn’t seem to care. He stared at her, his jaw clenched. “You should never have had to deal with them on your own. I’m here now, and I won’t let anyone hurt you again, not even your so-called family.”
Christina felt a surge of emotions — gratitude, relief, and something deeper, a connection to him that grew stronger with every passing moment. She met his gaze, her voice soft but steady. “Thank you, Nathaniel. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He gave a small, rare smile, his expression softening. “You’ll never have to find out,” he replied before lowering his face and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their little bubble of comfort and warmth. Yet Christina couldn’t shake the gnawing worry about her mother’s situation, and the unresolved tension with Miranda and Gideon.
Nathaniel pulled back slightly, sensing the shift in her mood. “What’s wrong?”
Christina hesitated, then spoke quietly. “It’s my mom… I don’t know how I’m going to come up with the money for her surgery. Everything feels so hopeless.”
Nathaniel’s expression grew serious again, his protective instincts kicking in. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.”
Before she could protest, he gently pressed a finger to her lips. “You’ve already done enough. Let me take care of this.”
Christina stared at him for a moment, overwhelmed by his words and his unwavering support. She finally nodded, the weight on her shoulders feeling just a little lighter. “Thank you.”
Nathaniel leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, reassuring kiss. “We’ll get through this together.”