CHAPTER 4

“Nina seems to be in a bad mood today. She didn’t want to come to deliver the documents, so I had to come instead,” Miranda placed her scalded hand in front of him. “Nash, don’t blame Nina. I don’t think she did it on purpose. I hope it didn’t delay you.”

It was the first time Nina had done something like this with the company’s documents in someone else’s hands. Nash’s expression was grim, but he restrained himself in front of Miranda. He just adjusted his ti and replied calmly, “It’s okay.” Changing the subject, he added, “Since you’re here, stay for a while.”

Hearing him say this, Miranda felt a sense of relief. At least he accepted her and didn’t dislike her. “Aren’t you supposed to have a meeting? Will I disturb you?” Nash made a call, “The meeting is postponed for half an hour.”

Miranda smiled faintly. Before coming, she had wondered if her departure without notice would make him resentful. It didn’t seem as bad as she had imagined. Lost time could be made up for.

Sitting on the sofa, Miranda was both hopeful and hesitant. She wanted to explain, “Nash, I have a lot to say to you. I know I was wrong to leave without telling you, but I’m back now…” “I need to deal with some work first,” Nash interrupted her.

Miranda swallowed her words again, seeing that he seemed busy. She could only say, “Then I’ll wait until you’re done.” Miranda didn’t dare to disturb him, yet she didn’t know how long she had to wait before they could have a face-to-face conversation.

She couldn’t quite gauge his mood. It wasn’t until Quincy walked in from outside that Nash stopped his work.

He approached, and Miranda called out with a smile, “Nash, I…”

“Is your hand still hurting?”

Did he notice her injured hand? Was he concerned about her?

Miranda quickly shook her head, “It’s not hurting anymore.”

“Okay,” Nash responded lightly, taking a bottle of cold relief syrup from Quincy, “I heard you’re back and not feeling well because of the change in environment. Your throat’s bothering you, huh? Well, this medicine should help. It’s good for soothing your throat.”

Looking at the bottle of cold relief syrup, Miranda’s mood improved instantly. He had been keeping tabs on her, even knowing that her throat wasn’t feeling well recently, indicating that he still cared about her. She quickly opened the bottle of medicine and measured the correct dosage with a spoon, smiling brightly, “Nash, you’re still so caring. I’m already very grateful. I’ll drink it.”

Even before she got close, she caught a whiff of an unpleasant smell. She didn’t like the smell of medicine, but if it was given by Nash, she would endure it. Despite the bitterness and the choking sensation in her throat, she didn’t say a word.

Watching her finish it all in one gulp, Nash finally shifted his gaze away. “Mr. York, the meeting is about to start,” Quincy reminded from the side.

Nash looked at Miranda, “I have to get busy, you should go back.”

Miranda wiped her mouth, not knowing what to say, she could only be understanding, “Okay, I’ll come see you later then.”

Nash walked out.

Miranda watched his back, her eyes reluctant to part with him until he disappeared completely. She was very happy and sent a text to her agent: “I bet right this time coming back, he still loves me.” Heading towards the meeting room, Quincy asked behind Nash, “Mr. York, why did we add birth control pills to the bottle of cold relief syrup?”

Nash remained expressionless, even cold, “Miranda went to the hotel.”

Quincy understood now. He was afraid that the woman from last night was Miranda, and she might get pregnant. Taking birth control pills would be safer.

For an entire day, Nina didn’t come to the company, nor did she call in sick. Usually, she was always by his side, his right-hand woman, never missing a beat. Lately, she had become increasingly willful, not showing up, not even bothering to call in sick.

Nash was burning with anger inside. He wore a stern expression all day, never smiling. This made the employees at the company nervous and afraid of making mistakes.

After work, Nash returned home. At this moment, Nina had already been let out. In the bedroom, Nina lay on the bed, her hands still trembling, her eyes red, in a state of shock. Her injuries had not been treated in time, and blisters had formed on her hands. Compared to the scars on her heart, the physical pain had become numb.

At the entrance of the house, a helper came to change Nash’s shoes. His face was gloomy as he asked, “Where’s Nina?” “Upstairs,” the helper replied, “She hasn’t come out since she returned from outside.” With the answer, Nash went upstairs. Opening the bedroom door, all he saw was the raised lump on the bed, with no head in sight.

Her unusual behavior puzzled Nash. He walked to the bedside and bent down to touch the blanket. “Don’t touch me!” Nina swatted his hand away.

She had heard movement at the door a long time ago, thinking she was going to be dragged back into the dark room. Each footstep was like a weight on her heart. She tightly wrapped herself in the blanket, sinking into endless panic. Until someone lifted her blanket, she sat up and pushed his hand away.

Nash was surprised to see her reaction so intense. His face darkened, his voice turning cold. “Nina, if it weren’t for you playing tricks, do you think I would want to touch you?”

Nina’s uneasy heart settled when she realized it was Nash. However, his words still stung her wounded heart. She tried to calm herself. “Mr. York, I didn’t know it was you.”

“If not me, then who else would it be in this house?” Nash sneered. “Or perhaps your mind has already drifted elsewhere.”

Nina pursed her lips, her mind filled with the cutting words of Sally. It seemed like Miranda was more suited for Nash. Now that she was back, they could continue where they left off, and she wouldn’t be in the picture anymore.

“I’m not feeling well today,” Nina knew she had become the unnecessary one. “Has Miranda delivered the documents? I hope it didn’t disrupt your work.”

Her actions today stirred up agitation in Nash. “Nina, if you’re so understanding, then why did you cause so much trouble?”

Nina wondered what trouble she had caused. It was just making his mother angry, and his beloved woman hurting her hand. She hid her hand under the blanket, feeling her heart grow colder. “There will not be a next time.”

After the divorce, such incidents wouldn’t happen again. She wouldn’t be a hindrance to either of them.

“Did you find out who the woman from last night was?” Nash’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Nina’s body tensed. “The surveillance was down, we haven’t found out yet.”

Nash’s gaze fixed on her. “Then what have you been doing at home all day?”

Nina glanced at the darkening sky outside. It had been a day since she left the company, and he probably thought she was slacking off.

“I’m going now,” Nina said, reluctant to say more. Once she settled her debt to the York family, they would be even.

Seven years of one-sided affection should also come to an end. She got up, threw on some clothes, and moved past him to leave.

Without him, this house held no lingering attachment for her. Now, exhausted, she no longer wanted to endure this suffering. Yet, as Nina was about to step out of the door, Nash noticed her scalded hand. It looked more severe than Miranda’s.

Just as Nina was about to leave, he said, “Wait!”