The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 336

Aaron’s voice came through flat and distant. “Nathalie.”

She kept her cool, even though her patience was wearing thin. “Where’s Lance? Is he messing with me again?”

“Lance got held up,” Aaron said. “Just wait a little longer. He promised you, and he’ll keep his word.”

Mothalie let out a sarcastic laugh. “Well, let’s hope he actually does it this

ended the call right there.

For a while, she just sat in her car, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel over and over. She’d started the day feeling annoyed, convinced he was just playing games again. That’s how it always went with him. She didn’t think he ever really cared how she felt.

But as her th

slipped indif

settled, those sharp memories from that night r head–the way he’d looked at her with pure ality.

coming after her anymore.

st maybe, he wouldn’t let her down now.

had no choice but to wait.

ed out her phone, hoping to pass some time with a game.

is happened to be online, so she sent a quick invite and switched e voice chat.

thalie, how are you these days?” Damaris’s tone was heavy, the sigh actically audible.

Nathalie could hear the frustration. “You sound off. Did something happen?”

Damaris groaned. “My family’s on me about blind dates again. Save me, please. I’m too young and hot for this torture.”

Nathalie couldn’t stifle the laugh. “Honestly, it’s not the worst. With no emotional history, it’s all about practicality. Two people just living their lives, side by side.”

Damaris disagreed. “But I want someone who actually loves me.

Someone

“Ther

is

nts to take care of me.”

Nathalie said, her voice relaxed. “Maybe the timing ‘ll meet the right person when you’re meant to.”

d again. “I’ve got another meet–up tomorrow. If you’re free, ne? Please? I’ve seen so many weirdos lately, I think I’m mind.”

e raised an eyebrow, grinni Ind with you?”

at’s not it at all,” Damaris

ybe I can look at you

“1

athalie tried to

asically, you want me to lose

en giggled. “If you’re there, iness hits. You’ll balance things

I see if I have time. I’ll let you know,

kay?”

ng themselves in it for a couple of hours, but

bon, Nathalie’s frustration was bubbling back up. She ing him again. Just then, she noticed a familiar car

at license plate. S ight into the

one away, grabbed her ID, and

ater,

her–definitely

4042

him.

Nathalie took a number. Only two couples were ahead, both filling out divorce forms. She and Lance sat down to wait.

She sneaked a glance at him. His skin was pale, his left arm just hanging there at his side, hidden by his jacket. It was hard to tell if anything was wrong.

Nathalie turned away, keeping her face unreadable.

Lance didn’t really look at her, either. Somehow, it felt like there was a thin wall between them, invisible but impossible to push through. They sat close, but it might as well have been miles.

Finally, their number came up.

But when they walked to the counter, the clerk waved them off. “We’re closing early to fix our system. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

Nathalie’s eyes narrowed. “We’re the last ones here. Can’t you finish up with us before you shut down?”

“It’s already scheduled. Rules are rules. We can’t change it just for you. Come back tomorrow.” The irritation in the clerk’s voice was clear, and he just stood up and left.

Chapter 337