The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 177

Lance pressed his lips together, his face unreadable. “Well, what a small world.”

Freddy could almost feel the chill rolling off him, a heavy tension that seemed to settle right on his shoulders.

Lance turned to Nathalie, his tone softening just a little. “Nathalie, I’m starving… Mind if I join you?”

Nathalie shot him a blank stare.

Seriously? Did he think she’d just go along with whatever he wanted?

What a joke.

He never cared how she felt, never really listened to a word she said.

Turning her eyes away, she ignored him completely.

Lance felt a tight ache in his chest. He couldn’t help but gently squeeze her fingers. “Nathalie.”

She pulled her hand back. “Let go. I need some water,” she said, her voice icy.

His gaze went even colder, but he let her hand slip from his.

From across the table, Freddy watched everything in silence, picking up on all the unspoken tension between the two of them. It was clear their marriage was… complicated.

When the food arrived, Lance told the waiter to set another place and added a few of Nathalie’s favorite dishes. The air around the table was so heavy it felt like no one dared to really breathe.

Freddy’s phone rang. After a brief conversation, he looked apologetically at Nathalie. “I’m sorry, Ms. Blair, I have to step out for something urgent.”

Nathalie shook her head with a slight smile. “Don’t worry about it. Go take care of your business.”

Freddy stood and nodded at Lance, then left the restaurant, his exit leaving behind a noticeable silence.

“You really think you know my heart?” His voice was low and cold, his anger barely contained.

Nathalie’s lashes fluttered as she looked down. “Let’s pretend for a minute. If I hadn’t pushed for the divorce, if I’d just kept living with you like before, you would’ve kept more from me, wouldn’t you? Hiding things like flying overseas for her, getting a vasectomy for her… It probably would’ve gotten worse, not better.”

She took a slow breath. She’d thought it wouldn’t hurt anymore, but it still left her eyes stinging.

“You stayed with her through the pregnancy. You had surgery for her kid. After everything, you still say I’m the one you love? Don’t you think that sounds ridiculous? Why should I ever believe you again?”

No matter how hard she tried to stay in control, her eyes still reddened with emotion. She breathed in and out, struggling to keep the hurt from bubbling over.

He always used to say, eight years together should be enough for them to know each other’s hearts.

But even after all this time, she still couldn’t see his.