Forever Loved, Like Day One

Nathan came in with his phone, demanding answers.

I glanced at the screen - it was indeed my listing.

I'd priced it low, and it sold the same day.

I smiled casually, making up an excuse. "Oh, that's not mine. Remember Linda and her husband bought the same set? She wants a new one and asked me to help sell it."

"Really..."

He looked unconvinced, his expression softening. "Hannah, I've been too busy lately, maybe I haven't paid enough attention to your feelings. If something's bothering you, please tell me, okay?"

I looked down. "Okay."

"After my mom passed last year, you're all I have left."

Nathan held me like something precious, his voice both promising and guilty. "Trust me, no matter what happens, you're the most important person in my life."

I used to believe that.

Nathan.

I believed it completely.

I caught the faint scent of roses on him. "It's late. You should shower and rest..."

"Just let me hold you a little longer."

He wouldn't let go, resting his chin on my head. "Hannah, is something bothering you? Once things settle down, let's talk properly."

I smiled.

Busy queuing for Nina's cake, or preparing a car full of roses as a surprise.

Must be exhausting, trying to hide things from me while keeping Nina happy.

He looked down at me, voice gentle: "Have you been crying? Your eyes are red."

"I..."

Before I could answer, his phone rang sharply.

Seeing the caller ID, he released me immediately, walking out as he answered.

Whatever he heard made his face change instantly.

Despite the autumn chill, he rushed out in just his dress shirt, not even grabbing a coat.

Years of habit made me call out, "Nathan!"

He didn't seem to hear.

The last time I'd seen him this panicked was when his mother received a critical condition notice at the hospital.

I walked to the window, watching his black luxury car disappear into the night.

His words still echoed: "Hannah, you're the most important person in my life."

But it didn't matter anymore.

The next few days kept me busy.

Since I was leaving, I needed to say goodbye to friends.

That evening, I picked up a marker, hesitated, then marked another day off the calendar.

Tomorrow was Nathan's birthday.

Also my last day in this city.

After ordering his birthday cake, I cut up all our framed photos and threw them in the trash.

The house was now completely cleared of anything related to me.

Probably because I'd missed taking my medication these past few days, I woke up early the next morning with severe stomach pain.

Back when we first started the company, it was just Nathan and me.

When busy, we lived and ate at the office.

To prove my father wrong about Nathan, I hadn't taken any money from my family after graduation.

When cash was tight, we'd often share a pack of instant noodles to save money.

At night, we'd attend business dinners.

He couldn't drink much, so I took most of the alcohol.

Once, I got a stomach ulcer from drinking. The doctor scolded him harshly, and he sat by my hospital bed, this tall man with red-rimmed eyes.

He said following him had caused me hardship.

He said he would never let Hannah Jefferson down.

I finally understood.

Promises aren't always true, even in the moment they're made.

I got up, rubbing my stomach, ate some toast and swallowed a pill.

But the medicine worked slowly, and the pain intensified. I curled up on the sofa, breaking into a cold sweat.

I called Nathan.

No answer.

Seems he was too busy.

Too busy even to answer his girlfriend's call.

I only learned from Linda's call that he'd been busy for days.

Too busy to come to the office.

A pile of documents and ongoing projects needed his signature.

Linda was frantic. "Hannah, is he love-struck? Are you both? You can't neglect the company just to plan a wedding! Please convince him to come back to work!"

"Also, I heard LD Venture's CEO Davis Henderson is getting married next week. Nathan should try to get an invitation - going to Eastbrook to network would be great for us. If Davis approves, our IPO is guaranteed."

"Wait."

The stomach pain had left me distracted, but that last part caught my attention. "What did you say the LD Venture person's name was?"

"Davis Henderson!"