Chapter 8 In The Name Of Help

Natalie PoV

"Dad, I didn't do it because of you," Nathalie said carefully.

She didn't expect that her father would immediately object when she said she would marry Nicholas.

She understood very well that in a state of illness like this, a person can be very sensitive and her father was a man with high self-esteem.

He must have felt very weak and helpless that he had to accept help from others, and his daughter had to sacrifice to cover up his weakness.

"You don't have to do it, honey, you've sacrificed too much for yourself and Charles! I'll knock out all his teeth when I recover and meet him!" Hardy growled emotionally.

He really didn't expect that his son-in-law could easily betray and hurt Nathalie. He want to kill Charles!

Plus he did it because he thought that Nathalie couldn't give him a child, while at the same time he himself killed his future child. Charles is an evil. How could he did that to his daughter?

"Dad, don't worry about Charles. He has nothing to do with me, you, or us anymore. He's just a jerk who happened to come into my life and messed everything up, but I don't want to be too lost in sadness and confusion because of him. My time, my energy, and my heart are too precious for a jerk like him!" Nathalie said firmly.

"But... That man, Nicholas Grand? Isn't... As far as I remember he was Charles' rival, even though they were friends before, right?" Hardy asked. "Oh, I'm confused."

Nathalie reached out and stroked her father's arm slowly. This must have been a shock for the old man she loved, just as confused as she had felt at first.

"Yes. I wouldn't do anything out of sheer impulsiveness, Dad. I do love Nicholas," Nathalie said softly. "What you need to believe is, I didn't do it because I was sacrificing for you."

Hardy's eyes stared at his daughter's face with very real doubt. He was surprised to hear Nathalie's words because it was something he had never heard before.

Could it be that Nathalie was just trying to reassure him, so she gave him all sorts of reasons not to worry.

"You're not trying to stop me from worrying, so you're saying anything to reassure me?" Hardy asked softly.

He stroked Nathalie's soft hair. How could Charles dump a woman like Nathalie. His daughter was not only physically beautiful, but she was also intelligent and skilled.

Not only that, Hardy also knew Nathalie's character very well. She was a loyal and affectionate woman. She was a strong commitment holder and a person who was firm in her principles.

Charles must have been blind because he couldn't wait to have a child, so he did something fatally stupid.

Whether he realized that he had exchanged a diamond for a pebble, Hardy cursed Charles that one day he would regret his betrayal.

"Nicholas and Charles were good friends, when we were both in college," Nathalie said.  "At first, I had a crush on Nicholas, but we rarely interacted like I did with Charles. Then, Charles saved me in the accident at that time and since then my feelings started to change. I started to pay more attention to Charles, plus at that time Nicholas seemed to start to distance himself because of his family matters. Until finally Charles and I became lovers."

"Didn't Nicholas realize that you had a crush on him, at that time?" Hardy asked.

"I don't think so. Since he was young, he was indeed a cold and distant person like that, Dad. He was nicknamed the iceberg by his friends during college and when he found out that I was dating Charles, he didn't give any reaction either," Nathalie answered.

"But, why is he helping you now and then asking you to be his wife," Hardy muttered, still with a big question mark.

"He's not someone who easily gets close to someone and because we happened to meet in this incident, he couldn't possibly not help me and he thought that we could just help each other."

"So he really just needs your help to help him with his family business?"

"Yes, Dad. Nicholas needed my help to inherit the company's shares from his grandfather. He doesn't want to bother looking for another woman because it's a hassle for him. We've known each other for a long time and since Nicholas helped us a lot, I think we should be grateful."

Hardy took a deep breath. He still felt heavy about letting Nathalie marry Nicholas. He knew it was only for business purposes. Still, he was worried that Nathalie would get hurt again.

"I feel sorry for you, honey. But, I promise that I will recover as soon as possible to help you," Hardy said while clenching his fists.

Nathalie stroked her father's hand and kissed the wrinkled back of it lovingly.

"Don't think too much, Dad. I want you to just focus on your health now. I'll be fine," Nathalie said softly.

Hardy finally gave in and he also didn't want to make Nathalie think that he didn't trust his daughter. He was sure that Nathalie already knew the risks of every decision and action.

"I'm sure you've made the best decision, honey," Hardy said. "Do whatever you think is right. I'll support you."

Nathalie smiled and they talked about other things until it was time for Hardy to eat and take his medicine. Not long after that, Hardy fell asleep.

Nathalie tidied up the blanket on her father's chest, before she left the room and went to a quiet corner of the corridor to call Nicholas.

"Nicholas," Nathalie greeted when Nicholas answered her call. "Are you busy?"

"Just working on some proposals," Nichola replied. "What's wrong? Do you miss me?"

Ugh. Nathalie's face turned red, not expecting Nicholas to say something like that at all.

"Uh, n-no," Nathalie replied nervously.

Nicholas laughed. "You answered very quickly, even though you're nervous. So, how is his father? Have you explained everything to him?"

"Yes. He was very angry and hated Charles, but he also didn't want me to be your wife. He was afraid that I would get hurt again and he also didn't understand why you chose me."

"Hm, that's understandable. His daughter had just been brutally betrayed and divorced, and had a miscarriage. Marrying a stranger like me just because I helped you, must have worried him a lot."

"You're not a stranger to me, Nicholas, so I tried to convince him not to think too much and finally he agreed."

There was a moment of silence.

"Nicholas? Are you still there?"

"Yes. And what is your answer?"

"I am willing to marry you. But, I have some conditions, can I ask for them?"

"Sure. I will send George--he's my private assistant, to pick you up. We will discuss the technicalities."

Nicholas' voice sounded cheerful and for some reason, Nathalie felt happy to hear it.

She had always seen Nicholas who was quiet, sparing in words, and stingy with smiles, so hearing Nicholas' cheerful voice, she imagined what Nicholas looked like when he smiled.

"Yes, Nicholas, I will wait."

Less than an hour later, Nathalie was sitting in a black Rolls Royce driven calmly by George.