He Gave His Secretary Two Hours Every Day Until Our Wedding. So I Left Chapter 03

He Gave His Secretary Two Hours Every Day Until Our Wedding. So I Left Chapter 03

Seeing I still hadn’t spoken, Nathaniel returned Lydia to the car.

His voice pulled me from my thoughts.

He opened the door for her. Buckled her seatbelt. Lowered the air conditioning.

Lydia pouted, clearly annoyed, though it carried a coquettish edge.

“Nathaniel, I’m warm. Why turn the heat so high?”

He leaned in and tucked the hem of her skirt neatly beneath her. Gentle, as if soothing a child.

“Be good. If it’s too cool, your leg will ache. I’ll buy you ice cream later. Bear with it, yes?”

He murmured a few more reassurances before closing the door softly.

The moment he turned, his face was expressionless again. As if what I’d seen was a trick of the light.

But I knew it wasn’t.

Nathaniel could be tender. Attentive. Talkative.

Just not with me.

I stared at him, using every ounce of strength to hold back the sob rising in my throat.

“Nathaniel, you’ve never treated me like that.”

He stilled, puzzled.

I drew a shaking breath. My vision blurred.

“You’ve never taken me to the hot springs. Never opened a car door. Never buckled my seatbelt. Never said so many words to me.”

Something flickered in Nathaniel’s eyes. I couldn’t name it. When I looked again, he was calm.

“Elena, her health is fragile. That’s why I care for her.”

“But what does her fragile health have to do with me? Why must I bear the cost of her suffering?”

Tears came faster. I wiped at them frantically.

Faster than my hand, his thumb brushed them away, warm against my cheek.

I looked up at him.

“Nathaniel, my parents were deeply upset today. They don’t trust me in your care anymore.”

I searched his face for even a flicker of concern.

There was none.

He chuckled softly and stroked my damp cheek.

“Elena, what about you?”

“Marriage is between us. You needn’t listen to anyone. Not even your parents.”

In that moment, I saw the certainty in his eyes. A chill ran through me.

Sensing me shiver, Nathaniel pulled me into his arms.

“Elena, don’t worry. I’ve spoken to my family. The wedding is in three days.”

At last, I understood why Nathaniel wanted to marry me.

He knew I would never let him go, no matter what.

Whether I learned of Lydia or not, it changed nothing.

He needed a wife who would accept her. Accept those two hours every day.

I had passed his three-year trial.

I was due for promotion.

A soft sound came from the car. An impatient tap.

Nathaniel released me at once.

He stepped back, putting space between us.

“Wait for me. When I return, we’ll marry.”

It was true. To be loved is to hold all the cards.

He hadn’t properly apologized, yet he was certain I wouldn’t stay angry.

But what was I to do?

This wedding. I didn’t want it anymore.