The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 263

The slight tremor in Nathan's final words almost sounded like a plea for comfort.

Nora's eyes shot open. She saw the redness rims of his eyes, his expression like a man who had just narrowly escaped death.

"You..."

Something seemed to explode in her mind, completely short-circuiting her ability to think.

He gripped her shoulders, a raw vulnerability in his handsome features. "I've been chasing after you for so long. Do you really not feel anything at all?"

Nora stared at him in utter shock.

"You... you were chasing me?"

Since when?

How could she have been so oblivious...

No.

It wasn't that she hadn't felt anything.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have repeatedly brought up her impending marriage in front of him.

She had thought doing so would force both of them to give up.

Who would have guessed a kidnapping would be the catalyst that forced the truth out of him.

"Was I not making it obvious enough?"

Nathan's unblinking gaze was fixed on her face, making it clear he wouldn't look away until she gave him an answer.

Nora's fingers curled under the intensity of his stare.

"I'm getting married..."

Forcing down the chaotic swirl of thoughts, she spoke the truth. "I never meant to hurt you, it's just... I promised an elder a long time ago that I would marry his grandson."

"I don't care about your wedding," Nathan countered firmly. "I want to know how you feel about me pursuing you."

Nora was completely stumped.

"What am I supposed to say?"

What could she possibly say about his aggressive approach to wooing her?

Furthermore, they couldn't just sweep her upcoming marriage under the rug!

The wedding date was practically around the corner!

At that thought, she lowered her eyes, a wave of dejection washing over her.

"Nora!"

He seemed to be walking; she could hear the rhythmic tapping of his cane against the floor.

"Is everything okay?"

He wasn't one to call for idle chitchat; whenever he reached out, there was a reason.

Nora furrowed her brow, suddenly worried that something had gone wrong with the medical specialist.

Even though her mother was currently in Leonard's custody, it was only because the specialist had been unexpectedly delayed. As long as Leonard was taking proper care of her mother, Nora was holding off on a full-blown war.

But the minute that specialist arrived, she was going to find a way to force Leonard to release her.

When it came to her mother, she wasn't taking any chances.

"You silly girl, if I don't call you, you never reach out to me!"

Nora was thoroughly confused.

"Excuse me?"

"You're in the hospital, aren't you? And you were kidnapped! I was terrified when I heard the news!"