chapter136
Suzanne’s world fractured under a wave of betrayal and exhaustion. As her tears fell, she felt a surge of defiance against the man who seemed determined to break her spirit. Every word from Nathan felt like a cold blade, cutting through the three years of silent devotion she had once offered him.
“Let me go, Nathan!” she cried, her voice choked with emotion. In her struggle to break free, she momentarily forgot the vulnerability of his injured shoulder, her only focus being the desperate need for space.
Nathan, however, was anchored by a volatile mix of pain and fury. The physical ache in his shoulder was nothing compared to the turmoil in his chest. He pinned her back against the wall, his presence looming over her like a shadow. For the first time, Suzanne saw the General—the man who commanded armies—directed entirely at her, and the intensity left her breathless and paralyzed with fear.
His voice was a low, dangerous rasp. “As long as we are bound by this marriage, Suzanne, you are part of this family. I will not tolerate betrayal.”
The words struck Suzanne like a physical blow. “I haven’t betrayed anyone,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You’re the one who—"
Before she could finish, Nathan’s patience snapped. He leaned in, closing the distance in a silent, overwhelming display of dominance. The kiss was not one of affection, but of a man losing his grip on a situation he could no longer control. It was forceful and desperate, a manifestation of the anger and confusion he had been suppressing for weeks.
Suzanne fought against the crushing pressure, her heart racing with a mix of indignation and helplessness. She felt like a trapped bird, unable to navigate the storm of his emotions. It wasn't until the saltiness of her tears met his lips that the haze of Nathan’s fury finally began to clear.
The realization of her distress acted as a cold wake-up call. Nathan’s rationality returned in a painful rush. He pulled back, his breath ragged, and watched as Suzanne slumped against the wall, her expression one of pure, raw anguish.
The sight of her vulnerability—the very thing he had always felt a silent urge to protect—now felt like an indictment of his own actions. As she began to slide downward, her strength failing her, Nathan moved instinctively. He caught her before she hit the ground, drawing her into an embrace that was suddenly, starkly different from the one moments before.
“I hate you,” she sobbed into his chest, her voice sounding small and broken. “I’ve done nothing to deserve this. Why are you doing this to me?”
Nathan held her close, his chin resting atop her head. The adrenaline was gone, leaving only a hollow ache. He realized that even he, a man defined by his composure and strategic mind, could be completely unmoored by the fear of losing her. He didn't have the words to explain the jealousy that had clouded his judgment, but as he stroked her hair, the silence spoke of a regret he wasn't yet ready to voice.