Chapter 6
The man standing beside me was Detective Nathan Carter, the officer who’d handled my stabbing case.[]
He was three years older than me, famous for being a workaholic until an injury forced him off active duty.
“Quinn? Do you remember me?“[]
I’d just woken
up from my coma, my head still foggy.
“Officer, do we know each other?”
Nathan smiled gently.
“If you don’t remember, that’s okay. Let’s start fresh.“[]
During that statement, I casually mentioned that “the hospital disinfectant smell is pretty harsh.“]
The next day, when Nathan came back, he brought a small bunch of fresh gardenias.[]
“You used to press gardenia petals in your books back in school. Haven’t outgrown that habit, have you?”
I looked up sharply.
“…How could you possibly know that?”
Nathan just smiled mysteriously.]
High school memories slowly surfaced, and I gradually remembered Nathan.
He was a senior from the class next to mine, always wearing crisp white shirts, gentle with everyone.[]
After I shared my impression of him, Nathan’s eyes sparkled with amusement
“Actually, I wasn’t like that with everyone. Just with you.“]
I remembered that time when I was crying in the hospital hallway because Kieran had stood me up again for Luna. The stress reopened my wound, and the pain nearly made me pass out.[]
Nathan appeared out of nowhere and caught me before I fell
“Remember when you cried all afternoon on the playground just because you didn’t get an A on your math test?“]
I stared at him in shock.[]
“How do you know all this?”
Nathan’s ears turned slightly red.]
“Because that day, I was there too.“]
It turned out that day he’d been on the roof of the teaching building across from the playground, sitting there all afternoon with me from afar.
All these years, someone had been quietly watching over me.
Being held in someone’s heart, being treasured–it felt wonderful.
I could sense Nathan’s feelings, but it was too late for us to meet.
“I’m getting married.”
When I handed him the invitation, the light in his eyes dimmed for a moment, but he still smiled as he accepted it.
it.[]
“No matter what happens, I wish you happiness. If you ever get tired, remember to look back.“]
So, that day, standing outside the private room after hearing Kieran’s cruel words, Nathan was the first person I thought of.
It was quiet on Nathan’s end–he seemed surprised I’d actually called him, especially so soon after the wedding invitation.
A few seconds of silence left me feeling uncertain.
“I’m being presumptuous. If you don’t want to… never mind.”
“No no no, Quinn, I’ll buy the house back.”
I was about to hang up when Nathan’s joy voice came through.]
*I’ve waited ten years for you. We can’t give up now.“[]
“Stay right where you are. I’m coming to get you.“]
Later, Nathan helped me transform that empty house into everything I’d dreamed of.[]
He even built the bar counter I’d sketched out on a whim.
When the officiant asked if we were willing, Nathan gripped my hand tightly, his gaze unwavering.
*You once risked everything for someone else. For the rest of our lives, let me be the one protecting you.”
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.
