The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 126

Lance slipped back into the car, his good looks shadowed by a stormy mood that seemed even darker than the night outside. The silence was thick, heavy enough to suffocate.

He drove for a while, keeping his eyes on the road. Finally, without looking at her, he broke the silence. “Stop trying to hide stuff from me. Whatever you’re doing, I’ll find out sooner or later.”

Nathalie didn’t even respond. She just turned her face to the window, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Lance frowned. He glanced at the back of her head, irritation building inside him. He couldn’t shake the image of her with Fabian, smiling soft and gentle, her whole expression lighting up in a way she hadn’t looked at him in a long time. When was the last time she had smiled at him like that?

He remembered their anniversary—not that long ago—how she wouldn’t let go of him the whole night. Now everything between them felt different, almost unrecognizable, and he had no idea how to handle it.

He wasn’t ready for this new reality.

When they reached the underground garage, Nathalie tried the car door, but it was locked. She glanced over. “Unlock it.”

Lance just looked at her, a cold kind of sadness in his eyes. “Is this the only time you’ll actually talk to me?”

Nathalie’s heart skipped at his words. She dropped her gaze and spoke quietly. “Lance, this is wearing me out. What’s the point in hanging on like this?”

“Worn out after just eight years? What about forever?” His voice was rough, almost desperate. “Didn’t we promise we’d be together for life?”

“My promise was to spend forever with you. Not you and all your other secrets.” Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled a little.

“There’s never been anyone else,” he shot back.

Nathalie closed her eyes, clearly tired, but her voice stayed calm. “Let’s just get a divorce. Talking to you feels impossible.”

“I won’t agree to that,” he answered, not budging an inch.

She didn’t try to argue. She just went quiet, staring ahead with dead eyes while the car sat in tense silence.

Lance couldn’t stop watching her. There was something raw and desperate in his gaze, but her blank expression didn’t change. The emptiness cut sharp.

All at once, something snapped in him. He unbuckled and leaned in, reaching out to cup her face, moving in for a kiss.

Lance let out a cold laugh. “You can either fill up now, or keep eating for the rest of your life. Your call.”

He hung up before Fabian could say more.

***

At Afterglow, Fabian pushed open the door to the private room. He gave Lance a look somewhere between disbelief and annoyance. “You know, you’re kind of terrifying sometimes.”

Lance sat on the couch in a black shirt, a half-empty bottle on the table in front of him. His gaze was so cold and sharp that Fabian almost flinched.

Fabian dropped onto the seat opposite, eyebrow raised. “What’s this about? Are you about to give me a hard time?”

Lance spoke in a low, even tone. “Ever heard the saying? It’s better to tear down ten temples than break up one marriage.”

For a second, Fabian didn’t say anything. Then he just sighed and smiled, a bit helpless. “I guess I can’t hide anything from you, huh? Still, I promised I’d help, and I intend to keep my word.”