No Renewal My Contract Husband (Nella and Alfred) novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267 Always One Step Behind

68

Finished

When she learned that Alfred was studying at Apex Medical University, she enrolled there too.

In her first year, she worked fast. She finished her required courses early and skipped a grade.

But maybe some things are never meant to be.

By the time she advanced to her junior year, she found out that Alfred had also skipped ahead.

She chased him again and again, but each time, she was just one step too late.

Later, she told herself to let it go. Maybe she and Alfred were simply not meant to be.

Yet she didn’t know whether fate saw her effort and decided to give her another chance or simply wanted to play a cruel joke on her.

Just when she gave up on Alfred, fate pulled them back together.

At that moment, Nella looked at the man on stage. His face was calm and distant, yet he still carried that quiet, noble presence. Once again, she understood something clearly. She and Alfred were never meant to walk the same path.

But she had tried. And that was enough. Her regret ended here.

“Lastly, I want to give special thanks to my wife, Nella.”

Alfred’s deep, steady voice carried across the hall. It held a warmth that made people pause.

Nella snapped out of her thoughts.

As he spoke, the spotlight landed on her.

The large screen showed her face. She looked slightly lost as she raised her head and met his gaze from the stage.

“Thank you for your patience and companionship over the past three years,” Alfred continued. “Thank you for her understanding and support, time and time again. I hope that ten years from now, we can still stand here together and turn our vision into reality.”

His words sounded official and polished. But only Alfred understood what was hidden inside them. Hope. And guilt.

And the vision of the “next ten years.”

He saw Nella smiling and clapping along with everyone else.

1/3

14:58 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 267 Always One Step Behind

:

68

Finished

But he could see it clearly. Her eyes were empty.

As for the future he painted, she gave no response at all.

Just as she had said before. She did everything the contract required of her. Beyond the contract, she gave nothing.

Alfred looked away, lowered his head, and let out a quiet, bitter laugh, hiding the loneliness in his eyes.

After Alfred stepped off the stage, several department heads gave brief speeches and shared their plans for the new year.

Then the host announced that everyone should take their seats.

All the seats were assigned by name. Everyone only needed to sit where they were told.

But of course, someone had to cause trouble.

Nella had just sat down when she sensed someone standing beside her.

She looked up. Zoey stood next to her chair, wearing that heavy feathered gown. She hesitated, clearly wanting to speak but not daring to.

Nella was confused.

Alfred didn’t expect Zoey to stir things up at a moment like this. His face darkened immediately.

“What are you doing?”

His sudden cold tone made Zoey’s face turn pale.

But maybe she had been pushed too far tonight. She still refused to move.

Ignoring the many guests around them, she bit her lip and looked at Alfred with a hurt expression.

“Alfred, I always sit with you. I’m used to it…”

The Keywoods looked at her, speechless.

Nella was wordless too.

How was she supposed to say it?