The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 192

Her voice had gotten steady, the kind of calm that only comes from knowing exactly what you want. There was no going back now.

Lance tightened his hold around her, almost subconsciously. She really meant it. She wanted a divorce. Needed it, actually.

That stubborn anger was back, burning hot in his chest. He stared at her, his eyes lingering on her lips. Even though she sounded collected, her lips looked so pale. Gone was that bright, healthy color he was used to seeing.

He didn’t think. He just leaned in and kissed her.

Nathalie’s eyes flew wide and she tried to push him away, but his kiss was sudden, insistent, impossible to ignore. He traced her lips with his own, and when her surprise broke her guard, he deepened the kiss.

He was relentless, stealing her breath away, pouring every bit of his frustration and longing into that moment. Their breaths tangled, impossible to tell whose was whose.

After what felt like forever, he finally let go. He took in her lips, now flushed and full, and the anger inside him seemed to fade just a bit.

Nathalie’s whole face reddened, her eyes glistening with fresh anger as she went to slap him. He caught her wrist without any effort, pinning her hand gently.

“Nathalie, I’m not divorcing you.”

He lay down beside her again, close enough that his nose brushed softly against her cheek. “You promised me, remember? You said we’d spend forever together.”

Nathalie shut her eyes. Her lashes trembled, betraying the storm inside her. Her heart ached, tight and sore, until it almost hurt to breathe. She wanted to cry, but she was too tired—even her feelings felt heavy.

She’d barely slept last night, and after everything that happened today, she finally let herself relax. The exhaustion hit her all at once, and before she knew it, she was asleep.

Lance watched her for a long while, her breathing soft and even. His eyes grew softer too, taking on a warmth he didn’t let anyone else see.

He slid open the top drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a small red velvet box. Opening it, he took out their wedding ring, then gently took her hand and slid the band onto her ring finger.

Their initials were engraved inside—just theirs, no one else’s.

Right then, her phone rang. She only now noticed he’d left it on the nightstand. Nathalie picked it up and saw Freddy’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hey, Freddy,” she said, answering out of pure habit. The name just rolled off her tongue, easy and familiar.

Freddy let out a little laugh. “Did what happened at lunch freak you out? Is that why you want to rethink things with us?”

Nathalie blinked, confused for a second, then shook her head even though he couldn’t see. “No, it’s not that. I honestly haven’t thought that far. Calling you that just feels natural. It’s hard to change overnight.”

“Alright, I get it. No pressure,” Freddy replied, sounding a bit more relaxed. “But really, are you okay? I feel terrible you got caught up in all that. Did it scare you?”

“I’m okay, honestly,” Nathalie replied, though a trace of worry lingered in her voice. “But… who was that guy? Why would someone try to hurt you?”

Freddy’s voice softened. “Just some old enemies from overseas. They can’t get to me directly, so they use dirty tricks like this. I’m sorry you were put in danger. I promise, I won’t let anything like that happen again.”