Nathalie strolled over and wrapped her arms around him from behind, teasing, "Did you swipe my knife?" Nathan felt a flicker of guilt, more surprised that she noticed the missing knife. He stammered, "What do you need the knife for?"


    Sensing his unease, Nathalie yed along, "Oh, you know, just in case I decide I can''t take it anymore and want to make a dramatic exit."


    "No way," Nathan blurted out, rmed. "You promised me you''d stick around for life."


    Nathalie turned serious, "My promises are rock solid; they won''t ever change."


    Nathan was taken aback, realizing she was just messing with him about the whole suicide thing.


    His worried expression softened, "I really care about you."


    "What''s there to worry about? Everything I''ve been through has made me tough as nails. I''m not about to throw it all away over some guy who ditched me."


    Nathan chuckled, "You''re right. A luckydy doesn''t walk through unlucky doors. If the Stewart family can''t see your worth, that''s on them."


    Nathalie couldn''t help but giggle at his words.


    Nathan gently brushed her puffy eyes, "Please don''t cry anymore. It breaks my heart."


    With tears in her eyes, Nathalie said, "Nathan, promise me you won''t leave me. Okay?" Nathan shook his head emphatically, "I''ll never leave you."


    Nathalie smiled warmly, "I trust you."


    Still, Nathalie had a rough night. Every time she closed her eyes, she was haunted by nightmares- Miranda sneering and calling her names, Patrick threatening her with a knife, Cameron scolding her forparing herself to Greta...


    Nathalie jolted awake time and again.


    But waking up in Nathan''s


    Cembrace each time was


    like a


    for her soul. She


    snuggled closer and drifted back to


    sleep.


    Yet the nightmares persisted. In one, Nathan, tearfully, confessed, "I''m sorry. I never meant to deceive you. I love you."


    Nathalie''s fragile heart shattered, and she sobbed uncontrobly in her dream.


    Nathan woke to find Nathalie crying in his arms, his once-clear eyes turning dark with anger. "Regan," he muttered through gritted teeth.


    Three monthster, the Rond family''s business empire crumbled. Supply issues sent costs soaring, wiping out their profits. Desperate, they turned to Nathan for help.


    en


    But they forgot Nathan was behind their downfall. So when Gavin begged for mercy, Nathan didn''t budge.


    "Mercy? Did you offer any when my mom begged you toe home?" Nathan shot back.


    Gavin was silent.


    "When Benjamin and his mother hunted me down, did you ask them to spare me?"


    Gavin pleaded, "What will it take for you to forgive me?"


    Nathan''s eyes burned with resentment, Either dere bankruptcy and live like everyone else or hand over thepany to me and announce publicly that ''m the Rond heir. From now on, I caff the shots."


    "Is there a third option?" Gavin asked, defeated.


    Nathan''s gaze was steely, "There is."


    Gavin''s eyes brightened, "What is it?"


    "I can let you stay as the family head, but you''ll be my puppet. I want you to go after the Stewart family for


    me."