The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 657

The cool evening breeze brushed past, but Lance's warmth and scent surrounded her, leaving her nowhere to hide. Nathalie's breath hitched, a detail Lance's heightened senses caught immediately. He leaned closer, his voice low and coaxing. "Let me kiss you. Just one kiss, okay?"

His voice was practically hypnotic, melting her resolve. She looked at him. Even though his eyes were covered by thick bandages, she felt the weight of his gaze. Her heart trembled.

When she didn't respond, he didn't force it, just kept asking softly.

"Please?"

"Can I?"

"Just once. Hmm?"

His words drifted into her ears with the wind. Nathalie felt a chaotic knot of emotions and curled her fingers tight. Taking that as permission, Lance leaned in and captured her lips. Both of their lips were cool from the night air, but a slow, spreading warmth soon followed. His kiss was incredibly gentle, as if he was holding his most precious treasure, taking his time, treating her with absolute reverence.

Nathalie's eyelashes trembled violently as a wave of bitter sorrow crashed over her. She didn't know if it was the wind, but tears welled up in her eyes. The grief hit her like a tidal wave, sweeping away her rationality. Lance tasted the salt of her tears almost immediately. He froze, pulling back to sit beside her, suddenly looking lost.

The thought felt like a knife twisting in his gut. He broke the kiss, pulling her tightly into his embrace. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice choked with pain. "I made you remember unhappy things."

Nathalie rested against his chest, the blurred world around her slowly coming into focus. Her emotional breakdown wasn't about the present; it was the memory of how deeply they used to love each other. He used to kiss her like this, hold her like this, surprise her with gifts for every holiday. She was crying because all of that was in the past. Their past had been so beautiful.

Nathalie closed her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the flood of heartbreak. She wanted to escape. Being near Lance was like flipping a switch for all her buried emotions—bringing back all the sweet memories, and all the agonizing ones.