The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 89

Maggie looked torn, her expression flickering with uncertainty. After a short pause, she glanced up at Nathalie and said quietly, “I don’t regret it. I really think I can change him.”

Nathalie gave her a half-hearted smile. “Well, good luck with that.”

She stopped looking at Maggie after that, though the ache inside her didn’t let up. It felt like someone had laced wire around her heart, squeezing tighter with every breath. Setting her own husband up with another woman… What a joke. She never thought she’d stoop this low.

Annoyed, she poked at her coffee with the spoon, letting the silence stretch between them. She had no idea how much time passed before she heard footsteps near the entrance.

Nathalie’s head snapped up on instinct, and there was Lance. He was tall, put together, and walking toward her with that easy confidence she used to love. Her feelings tangled all over again. Just earlier, she had secretly wished he wouldn’t show up at all, but here he was, his dark eyes crinkling in the corners with the faintest smile.

“Out with a friend?” he asked, glancing once at Maggie, who was clearly a stranger to him.

Lance didn’t hesitate. He slid into the seat next to Nathalie, his arm settling along the back of her chair, wrapping her in a way that screamed possessiveness.

Nathalie forced her whirling thoughts down and, keeping her voice steady, said, “This is Maggie, a new friend of mine. She just graduated from Finance University and has been stressing about finding a job. Do you have any openings on your team?”

Lance arched his eyebrow, his lips curving just slightly. “Are you asking for a favor?”

Nathalie met his gaze calmly. “Can I?”

She hadn’t looked at him this evenly in a long time and she could tell he felt it. His smile softened, and he said, “Of course. Nathalie, you can ask me for anything.”

He turned to Maggie. “You can start work tomorrow.”

Maggie lit up, her whole face suddenly gleaming. “Really? Thank you!”

Maggie was ready. She scanned his code, sent the friend request immediately.

But before she could even breathe out in relief, Lance slipped his phone back in his pocket and reached for Nathalie’s hand, threading his fingers through hers. “Are you two done catching up?”

Nathalie pulled her hand free. “Not yet. We just met. We’re planning to go shopping after this.”

Lance tried to hold on. “Nathalie, you should give me some time, too.”

Right on cue, his phone started ringing—the ringtone she already knew too well.

Nathalie’s frustration finally spilled over. She clenched her jaw, pushed her chair back, and stood up abruptly. “I’m going to the restroom.”