Chapter 98 Carol
*Mia’s POV*
I decided to take a nap, but then I suddenly realized something. Kyle didn’t say anything about Taylor bumping into me yesterday. It was almost the first time he had ignored Taylor.
With second thought. Of course he hadn’t mentioned Taylor. He no longer saw Taylor as the girl. Naturally, he wasn’t interested in Taylor anymore. He now knew that I was the girl:
It seemed like I had finally defeated Taylor. I’d finally “won.” But the thought didn’t make me feel happy at all. Kyle’s love had become something cheap, as it wasn’t love at all.
“Nate?” My voice sounded small in the quiet car. “Have you ever been in love?”
He glanced at me briefly. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. I don’t know why but I thought he must have felt that I was stupid.
But he still answered, ‘Yes.”
The word held weight, like stones dropping into still water.
“What was it like?” I pressed. “How did you know it was real?”
His hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “You’re really asking if Kyle loves you.”
“No. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.” I paused, gathering courage. “So what happened with her? The woman you loved?” I was sure Nate was single at the moment.
The silence stretched so long I thought I’d overstepped. Finally, he spoke, his voice carefully controlled: “She died.”
The simple statement hit like a physical blow. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—I shouldn’t have asked.”
Nate’s expression did not change. “It’s fine. It’s not your fault. And it was a long time ago.”
The atmosphere became a little strange. I had once suspected what Scarlett had hinted at, that Nate might have feelings for me. But he always seemed to be perfect. Perfect at solving all your problems, perfect at showing up at just the right time.
I studied his face for a moment. Nate Pierce had a lover, deeply loved. But she was dead. How can that be real?
“Her name was Carol,” he said suddenly, surprising me.
The name seemed to come from somewhere deep inside him, like he’d been holding them back for years. I suddenly didn’t know how to say.
“Nate…I am really sorry.”
“It’s nothing to do with you. You don’t have to feel sorry.” He sighed.
I tried to close my eyes and pretend to continue sleeping. This was a little embarrassing.
After a while, Nate suddenly said, “Mia, I think you should consider that offer in Paris.”
“What?”
“The design team I mentioned before. They’re still interested.” He pulled up to my building, killing the engine. “It would be a fresh start, away from Kyle and all this drama.”
I stared at him, processing. I could not deny that it would be good to leave away from Kyle and everything that was associated
with him.
“I think you deserve the chance to build something that’s entirely yours.” His eyes met mine. “Kyle won’t let this go easily. You
know that.”
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Chapter 98 Carof
“But my whole life is here. My friends, my mother.”
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“Your mother would want you to be happy.” He smiled slightly. “And friends can visit. Scarlett would probably love an excuse to shop in Paris regularly.”
That is indeed possible. But the thought of leaving here is still unacceptable.
“Just think about it.” He didn’t push further, just helped me out of the car with his usual careful courtesy.
“Would you like to come up?” I offered automatically. “Mom usually has tea ready this time of day.”
He checked his watch. “Maybe next time. I have patients waiting.
I nodded. “Of course.” I hesitated for a moment. “And Nate? Thank you. For telling me about Carol.”
Something softened in his expression. I watched his car disappear around the corner before heading inside.
Mom was exactly where I expected, curled in her favorite chair with papers spread across her lap. These looked like legal documents.
“Mom?” I moved closer, catching glimpses of familiar names. “What are you doing?”
She looked up, her expression grimly satisfied. “Research.” She gestured at the papers. “I think it’s all connected–the trust, my accident, your kidnapping. Even Kyle being taken at the same time.”
“You think Dad arranged both kidnappings?” I asked.
“I think nothing about our family’s connection to the Bransons was accidental.” She met my eyes steadily.
I stared at the documents scattered across her lap, seeing years of lies laid bare in black and white.
X
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