“Sir, the soup is ready.”
Corrine’s eyes shifted to the tray, noting the simple porcelain bowl that radiated a soft warmth.
Nate stood, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing strong forearms.
“I’ll take it,” he said, his tone calm but firm.
Tanya smiled knowingly, glancing at Corrine with a hint of amusement.
“Miss Holland, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
With that, she exited once more, quietly shutting the door behind her. The room fell into a silence that carried a faint note of awkwardness.
“You had acute gastroenteritis last night, which caused a high fever,” Nate explained, his fingers skillfully stirring the soup in the bowl. He blew on it gently to cool the liquid before bringing the spoon to her lips
“Here. The doctor said you need to eat light for a few days.”
“I can manage,” Corrine said quickly, averting her gaze as she tried to take the bowl herself.
But Nate didn’t budge. His persistence was firm yet unyielding, the spoon hovering near her lips.
After a brief hesitation, Corrine relented, opening her mouth for a sip.
The taste of the soup was bland, its warmth soothing but uninspiring. After a few spoonfuls, she shook her head.
“I’ve had enough.”
“You barely touched it,” Nate countered, his tone softer now, almost coaxing.
“Just a little more, and then I’ll take you for a walk in the garden. Deal?”
Corrine looked up at him, her eyes tinged with a hint of reluctance, almost like a quiet plea.
“But I really can’t take another bite,” she said softly.
Her own words startled her. When had she last sounded so fragile?
For as long as she could remember, sickness had been something she dealt with alone. She’d learned to soldier through, suppressing any sign of weakness. But Nate’s calm, unwavering care had unlocked something buried deep within her-an ache for tenderness she didn’t even know she carried.
The words hadn’t been rehearsed; they’d slipped out naturally.
Perhaps, when faced with unyielding affection, everyone secretly longed to let their guard down-to allow someone else to bear the weight, even if just for a moment.
Corrine was struck by a wave of regret over her earlier lapse into sentimentality and opened her mouth to explain. Before she could utter a word, Nate leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, a flicker of panic flashing in her trembling gaze as her breath hitched.
The kiss was firm but not forceful, tender yet charged with passion. Unspoken emotions seemed to pour out, drawing her in with a warmth that made her forget to resist.
Her lashes fluttered, and slowly, as if surrendering to the tide, she let her eyes drift shut. Her fingers curled into the sheets beneath her, gripping them tightly as if to anchor herself against the whirlwind of emotions.
The kiss deepened, intoxicating and all-consuming, stripping away the noise of the world until it felt like they were the only two people left in existence. The air around them grew heavy with heat, wrapping the room in an intimate embrace.
It wasn’t until the kiss became more fervent, stealing the breath from her lungs, that Corrine began to come to her senses. Her eyes flew open, meeting Nate’s with a jolt.
His dark gaze burned with intensity, searing through her defenses and igniting something unfamiliar within her. Her heart raced wildly, a frantic rhythm caught between fear and exhilaration. She pushed against his chest with trembling hands, her breaths uneven as she stammered, “Nate, that’s… enough.”
The words escaped her lips in a voice so faint it lacked conviction, only encouraging his resolve.
His passion surged, a force as relentless as it was overwhelming
Desperate to break free, Corrine bit down on his lip without hesitation. The sharp pain snapped him out of his fervor, and the metallic tang of blood lingered between them, cutting through the haze.
Seizing the moment, she shoved him away with all her strength, stumbling back to escape the intensity of his embrace.
His dark eyes glimmered like molten embers, a hypnotic vortex that threatened to swallow her whole.
Corrine tore her gaze away, her pulse still racing as her chest rose and fell unevenly.
“So, this is what you look like when acting like a spoiled child.” Nate’s voice was low and sultry, laced with a teasing edge that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Corrine’s cheeks burned with a rush of heat. She drew in a sharp breath, quickly slipping on her shoes and shoving him back.
“I need some fresh air.”
Nate’s hand shot out, firmly clasping her wrist, his gaze steady and piercing as it locked onto hers. His eyes, unguarded, held an undeniable depth of longing. His voice was deliberate, his Adam’s apple dipping slightly as he spoke.
“Corrine, you don’t need to act strong around me. My feelings for you won’t change.”
A subtle tremor rippled through Corrine’s chest.
She had spent so much time with Bruce, a man who dismissed emotional vulnerability. He disliked overly sentimental women, which pushed her to build walls of resilience, enduring every hardship in silence. That facade of strength had become second nature.
But Corrine wasn’t made of stone. She longed for care when unwell, solace when wronged, and moments where she could simply let her guard down. Nate had a way of peeling back her defenses, gently touching the hidden corners of her heart without effort.
With a small exhale, she steadied herself and met Nate’s unwavering gaze. A faint curve softened his lips, his deep eyes glowing faintly with warmth, as if he knew the effect he had on her.
“Nate, do you show this kind of devotion to every woman?” she asked, her voice light but tinged with challenge.
His reply was steady and sure.
“You are the first woman I’ve ever loved,” he said, his tone unyielding.
“And you’ll be the only one.”
The gentle brush of his fingers against her earlobe was tender, a deliberate touch that sent a flutter of warmth through her.
She stiffened, unable to withstand the surge of emotion any longer, and batted his hand away.
“I told you, I need some fresh air,” she repeated, her voice firmer this time.
Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned on her heel and stepped through the door, leaving him standing there, alone.
When Tanya spotted Corrine, her sharp gaze immediately landed on Corrine’s slightly swollen lips. A fleeting, knowing smile lit Tanya’s face as she offered a respectful greeting
“Miss Holland.”
Corrine caught the faint amusement in Tanya’s expression and forced an awkward, polite smile in return. Without lingering, she quickly turned and walked away.
As she stepped into the back garden, the sheer grandeur of the villa took her by surprise. Its scale rivaled that of the famous Ford Mansion.
The garden was an oasis of rare, exotic flowers and lush greenery, every detail meticulously curated. Surrounding amenities hinted at luxury beyond imagination.
This could only be the legendary Celtis Estate!
The Celtis Estate was as renowned as the Ford Mansion itself. Everyone had heard whispers of its opulence, yet its elusive owner remained a mystery.
Corrine never imagined Nate was that owner.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.