chapter501

Phoebe walked past Cole without looking back, leaving him standing in the corridor with a heavy sense of helplessness. By the time he turned around, her figure had already vanished around the corner.

Inside the office lounge, Mila sat on the couch, her expression surprisingly composed as she waited for Nathan. He brought her a glass of water and sat beside her, his movements gentle and deliberate. "Take a sip," he said softly. "You need to relax."

Mila took a drink and set the glass aside, her silent gaze inviting him to explain the day's friction. Nathan reached out, resting his hand over hers. Mila frowned slightly, her eyes tracing the contrast between his calm demeanor and the tension she still felt simmering beneath the surface.

"Do you find it so difficult to let me hold your hand?" Nathan asked with a faint sigh. "We are newlyweds, yet it feels like I have to ask permission for every moment of closeness. Do you still hold that grudge regarding Fenna?"

Mila realized then that her sharp edges had been honed by a quiet, lingering jealousy. "If you want to hold my hand, Nathan, you don't have to ask," she replied softly. "But don't I deserve to understand what just happened out there with Jacob? I’m not looking for an argument; I’m looking for the truth."

Nathan leaned back, his gaze weary. "I’m not in the right headspace to untangle that right now. Give me a little time to clear my mind, and I’ll explain everything."

Mila sighed. She felt the weight of his exhaustion, but her own grievances—being accused of slacking and seeing him take Jacob's side—still stung. After a moment of silence, she leaned in and pressed a light, lingering kiss to his cheek. "Does that help you feel a bit better?"

A soft smile finally touched Nathan’s lips. "Somewhat. But I still feel like there’s a distance between us that a single kiss can’t bridge."

Understanding the unspoken request, Mila moved to sit beside him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She initiated a kiss that was filled with all the words she couldn't yet say—an apology, a promise, and a deep-seated longing. Nathan responded eagerly, drawing her into a deep embrace that seemed to shut out the rest of the world and its complications.

When they finally broke apart, Mila was slightly breathless, her heart thumping against her ribs. She looked into his intense eyes, her voice a soft murmur. "Is that enough?"

Nathan kept his arm firmly around her waist, his thumb tracing the line of her cheek. "Spend the night here with me," he whispered.

"I’m more than six months pregnant now," Mila reminded him, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "You’re always so intense... I’m worried about the baby."

Nathan offered a warm, reassuring smile, running his fingers through her hair. "Why are you overthinking things, Chubs? I just want to wake up with you beside me."

Mila felt a blush creep up her neck. She recalled how, since her pregnancy began, Nathan had been exceptionally careful, never pushing for more than she was ready to give. She wasn't sure if it was out of caution for the baby or a change in his own desires, but his restraint always touched her.

"I wasn't overthinking," she murmured, looking away to hide her embarrassment. "I just want us to be on the same page. Are you going to tell me about the project now?"

Seeing her distress starting to fade, Nathan stopped teasing. He pulled her closer, letting her snuggle against his chest. Wrapped in his warmth, the jealousy and anger of the morning finally began to evaporate.

"Tell me something, Mila," Nathan asked quietly, his voice vibrating against her ear. "In your world, what carries more weight? The legacy of your family, or the power of Hydronium?"

"Family," Mila replied without a second of hesitation. "Always."