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Novel Catalog
Chapter 48 Free Of Desires
feelings for a woman after all this time? It was as if Nathaniel was a complete enigma to her. She tried to maintain a composed exterior, but internally, her mind was racing with thoughts of what the future might hold for her and Nathaniel.
The car rolled to a stop at the restaurant. Nathaniel didn’t immediately exit, still engrossed in the contract he had been reading. Stella, noticing his distraction, let out a soft sigh, but quickly masked it with a polite smile as she waited for him to acknowledge her.
Inside the restaurant, Vivian and Jonathan had already arrived and were seated at a corner table. Vivian tried her best to act as though nothing unusual had happened, but the tension between them was palpable. Jonathan, however, seemed perfectly at ease, his attention darting around the restaurant as he silently observed everything with a perceptive gaze that belied his young age.
Vivian took a deep breath, trying to focus on the situation at hand. She had no idea how she would explain everything to Cecilia, but she had to make sure Nathaniel wouldn’t find out about Jonathan’s unexpected trip. She could only hope that things would settle down soon.
Just as she was about to speak, the door opened, and Nathaniel stepped inside, his cold, detached demeanor as always. Stella followed him, looking as poised and perfect as ever. When their eyes met, Vivian felt a shiver down her spine, wondering how much Nathaniel truly knew.
“Vivian,” Nathaniel greeted with a barely perceptible nod, his eyes briefly scanning the table before landing on Jonathan, who was now quietly playing with his food. “And… Jonathan.”
Vivian nodded back, trying to remain calm. “Nathaniel,” she replied softly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Business,” Nathaniel said simply, his eyes never leaving Jonathan. “Is everything all right?”
Vivian felt the weight of his gaze on her, and for a moment, she wondered if he knew more than he let on. She quickly composed herself and smiled, trying to steer the conversation away from any uncomfortable topics. “Everything’s fine, just a little unexpected surprise,” she said, trying to downplay the situation.
Stella, sensing the tension in the air, smiled faintly. “I’m sure everything will be fine. It’s nice to see you both.” Her voice was calm, but Vivian could detect the undercurrent of something else—perhaps a touch of jealousy or curiosity.
Nathaniel sat down at the table, but his attention remained focused on Jonathan. The little boy, sensing his father’s presence, looked up with wide eyes and gave him a shy smile. Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the child’s boldness. “Jonathan,” he said slowly, his voice neutral but with a hint of curiosity.
Jonathan simply nodded in response, still holding his composure. Vivian, watching the exchange, couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease settle within her.
“Shall we order?” Stella interrupted, trying to ease the tension. “We’ve all had long days, haven’t we?”
Vivian nodded, but her mind was racing. Would Nathaniel find out? Would the past catch up with them in unexpected ways? She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change, and that things would never be the same again.
