Mila was startled, and the memories cflooding back to her. She realized that Nathan had gotten it all wrong from the very beginning. “You're fine with a loveless marriage, but have you considered my feelings?" Nathan asked. He tried to control his emotions even though he felt hurt.
Mila stomped her foot in anger. "Nate, I didn't marry you just because Grandma wantedto."
"Why, then?"
“I've been secretly crushing on you for three years!" Mila blurted out. Nathan froze and stared at her incredulously.
Mila's cheeks grew warm. She shyly lowered her eyes and whispered, “I've had a crush on you for a long time."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNathan grabbed her shoulders in excitement and looked her in the eyes. Tears welled in his eyes, and his hands trembled as he asked, "Did you just say you had a crush on me?
Mila blushed and nodded, unable to look him in the eyes.
"For three years?" Nathan asked again. He was still in disbelief. "From the tyou knewwhen you were still Suzanne?"
Mila nodded once again. She could feel her heart beating faster. It was only now that she realized how embarrassing it was to confess.
She couldn't shake off the feeling of awkwardness that was overwhelming her.
Nathan smiled warmly, though tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "But you also toldthat you weren't in love with me. How am I supposed to know what to believe?"
Mila raised her head defiantly and gazed into his teary eyes. "Why would I carry your child if I weren't in love with you? And wouldn't a sperm bank givemore options if all I wanted was good genes?" "You're such a bad girl," Nathan whispered. He pulled her into a tight embrace as if he never wanted to let her go.
Mila was overwhelmed by his hug. She held onto his waist, feeling the thud of his heartbeat and the warmth of his breath.
"Nate, I'm sorry," she whispered back. It pained her to see Nathan suffer so much in the past six months.
She felt guilty as she continued, "I didn't mean to treat you badly, but I couldn't bring myself to admit my feelings. I was scared that if I did and I couldn't get back to you, it would hurt you even more."
Nathan's voice was full of emotion as he whispered in her ear, "And what about after you got back? Why do you still treatthat way?" Mila sniffed, feeling a pang of jealousy in her heart as she replied, "Why did you have to get so close to Fenna? I would have kept it from you until the baby was born if my pregnancy hadn't been discovered.” Nathan took a deep breath and buried his face in her shoulder. He murmured, "How could you have been so bad?"
Mila couldn't help but find his accusation somewhat amusing. Her sadness was slowly fading away. She gently caressed his waist to comfort him. "Nate, are you trying to be adorable with me?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"No way," Nathan responded. His tone was firm at first but then softened as he added, "But I'm willing to give it a shot if it makes you happy.”
"Great, now say “darling’ forin a cute voice," Mila teased.
Nathan released her and stood straight. With a blank expression, he took her hand and led her forward. "Let's go home."
As they walked, Mila glanced up at him with a playful grin. "Oh, con. Give it a try. Say “darling’ to me in a cute voice."
Nathan's face becserious. With a furrowed brow, he reminded her, "Keep your eyes on the road.”
"Nate," Mila called out. She drew out her words in a soft, loving tone of voice.
Nathan's serious facade vanished instantly. He pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh, but the warmth and affection in his eyes were impossible to hide.