Chapter 6

"Are you two planning to have a baby?"

"Why do you ask?"

The vet gave a somewhat rueful smile.

"A lot of the cats and dogs we get here are in the same situation. Their owners are planning to have a baby, so they decide they can't keep their pets anymore and bring them here to be put up for adoption."

A baby was indeed on the way.

Just not his.

Nathaniel was reluctant to part with the kitten.

After all, he'd raised it for years and grown deeply attached to it.

But if he was going to leave, taking the kitten with him would be difficult. He was worried the long flight and the time spent in cargo might put it at risk.

"Please help find someone to adopt the kitten as soon as possible."

"Actually, a young woman came in today and spent quite a while playing with the kitten. She seemed to really like it. I'll get in touch with her and see if she’s interested."

The vet contacted her, and she immediately agreed to adopt the kitten. She said she could come pick it up right away.

Nathaniel waited at the clinic for a while and met her in person.

She was a sweet, innocent young woman who genuinely loved the kitten.

Nathaniel agreed to let her adopt it and even gave her some extra money.

But she refused to take the money. "I'm adopting the kitten, so how could I possibly take your money, too? Please, take it back."

Nathaniel insisted on pressing the money into her hands. "The kitten is getting older, and it has a hereditary condition, so you'll probably have to spend quite a bit on vet bills. Just consider this an advance payment for its medical expenses."

The young woman finally accepted the money and thanked him before leaving with the kitten in her arms.

His phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Jessica: "Honey, are you having fun today? I miss you so much."

Nathaniel let out a cold laugh.

He replied, "Then I'll catch a flight back to see you right now. Come pick me up at the airport in three hours."

Jessica replied almost immediately. "No, don't cut your trip short because of me. Enjoy yourself. I can wait."

Nathaniel almost scoffed.

Jessica, your love was so cheap.

You couldn't even pass this little test, yet you still pretended to love me so deeply.

Jessica: "Did you take any nice pictures? Let me see some handsome shots of you, honey."

Nathaniel searched online for a few photos of local attractions, removed the watermarks, and sent them to her.

Jessica: "Why are they all pictures of the scenery? Where are the pictures of you, honey?"

Nathaniel: "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

Jessica: "Okay, get some rest. Love you."

Nathaniel spent three days resting at the hotel and planning his itinerary.

After leaving here, he wanted to visit the four countries of Nordavia first to see the northern lights, then head to Savara to see its wildlife and vast grasslands.

After that, he even arranged to lease an uninhabited island called Haven Isle.

The island belonged to a small neighboring country and wasn't for sale, so he leased it for a hundred years.

It was the home he'd chosen for himself.

From then on, he'd live facing the sea, with flowers blooming in the warmth of spring.

On the morning of the fifth day, instead of checking out, Nathaniel extended his stay for another two days to keep his luggage there until he was ready to leave.

Then he took a cab to the airport.

Arthur arrived not long afterward.

He grinned and said, "Mr. Scott, you're finally back! Ms. Sullivan has been talking about you nonstop these past two days. We're practically getting tired of hearing your name!"

Nathaniel didn't respond. He simply got into the car.

He'd heard enough empty words already. He didn't want to respond, lest he have to listen to even more lies.

When he got home, everything seemed to be back to normal, just as it had been before he left.

Jessica threw her arms around him. "Honey, welcome home!"

Clara was equally delighted. "Mr. Scott, Ms. Sullivan told me first thing this morning to buy some of your favorite ingredients. I made all your favorite dishes today."

Jessica snuggled up to him, gently nuzzling him. "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. So... how about we turn in early tonight?"

Nathaniel pushed her away. "I'm tired."

"No, don't be like that! I've missed you so much."

She tried to cling to him again, but the next second, the front door swung open.

York stood in the doorway, looking a little flustered. "Oh, Mr. Scott, you're back?"

Nathaniel felt the arms wrapped around him stiffen instantly.

He smiled faintly. "Mr. Lawrence, long time no see. What brings you back to Zelvania all of a sudden? Was life abroad not to your liking?"

"I..." York hesitated. "I just left my wallet at home. I'll grab it and then leave."

The moment he finished speaking, a deafening crash erupted above him.

The massive crystal chandelier in the villa had come loose and was crashing down.

In the split second before impact, Jessica rushed toward York and threw herself over him. "Look out!"