Chapter 256 Use This Wealth to Keep Me
Aurelia was totally thrown off by what he said, left speechless for a sec.
"I mean, in a situation like this, surviving is a long shot. Why risk it all for nothing? Plus, I don't want you to die."
Nathaniel only caught that last part, and man, did it make his heart do a happy dance. She still cared about him, worried about his safety—that was why she was saying all that stuff earlier.
Nathaniel grabbed her hand and put it on his face.
"Aren't we doing okay now? Even with slim odds, I had to roll the dice. Worst case, I die with you, and honestly, that's not the worst thing."
Aurelia's heart skipped a beat, but she calmed down after a few beats and pulled her hand back.
"It's late, and you're tired. Go get some rest. I'm good here. If anything happens, I'll call the doc. Thanks."
Nathaniel felt a pang of disappointment. It was like she gave him a sweet treat only to snatch it away. His heart soared and then crashed, leaving him confused.
"Aurelia, can you just hear me out?"
Aurelia shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Nathaniel started talking to himself. "I messed up, realizing too late that I love you. We've been married three years; can you give me a shot? Even if you can't accept it now, don't push me away, okay?"
Nathaniel was practically begging, something he'd never done before. He was always the straightforward type, and saying stuff like this was so not him. He used to think Zack's sweet talk with his fiancée was cheesy, but now he got it—those were real feelings. If they didn't talk, misunderstandings would just pile up.
After everything they'd been through, he was just happy to see her safe.
He couldn't stand the thought of her being in danger any longer.
Aurelia stayed quiet.
Nathaniel waited, but no response.
Nathaniel said, "If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes?"
Still nothing from Aurelia.
In the dark, Nathaniel's lips curled into a smile. He reached out and pulled her blanket up a bit more.
"Good night."
He said it like he was soothing a kid, his hand still on her blanket, not wanting to move away.
He looked like a loyal dog now, and Aurelia found it weird. She was used to seeing Nathaniel all stern and serious, never this soft side of him.
With her lying down and him just sitting there watching, how could she sleep?
Aurelia felt all kinds of awkward and turned her back to him.
The blanket slipped, and he pulled it back up.
The hospital's AC was set low, and he knew she hated the cold, worried she might catch something after being soaked in seawater.
Over the years, she'd gotten even thinner, drifting alone in this big city, working late nights. It broke his heart.
Aurelia turned over again but couldn't sleep, knowing he was right there watching her. She felt like she was on pins and needles.
Aurelia sighed, "Nathaniel, can you go to sleep?"
"What's up?"
"I can't sleep with you sitting there."
Nathaniel chuckled softly. "Alright."
There was a cot next to him, and he lay down on it fully clothed, hands behind his head, tired but wide awake.
In the moonlight, he looked at her blurry silhouette and thought about the old days at Bloom Villa. They used to share a bed, and she never turned her back on him, always snuggling into his arms.
The past four years had been a total grind for him. Both in real life and in his heart, he felt like a hollow shell, like the most important thing in his life was gone, making everything seem pointless, with nothing to look forward to.
While he was out there searching for her, the insomnia that no expert at Imperick could fix for four years suddenly got better. He had renewed hope in life.
That was probably Aurelia's magic.
Aurelia lay there stiff as a board, half her body numb, and couldn't help but turn over again.
With him there, sleep was a no-go.
Nathaniel's eyes drifted her way.
"Aurelia, if you can't sleep, wanna check something out?"
Aurelia couldn't sleep for real, and pretending was pointless. After sharing a bed for three years, he wasn't dumb; he could tell fake sleep from the real deal.
She asked, "What is it?"
Nathaniel suddenly sprang up from the bed. When Zack had finished the hospital admission stuff, he had brought over some property transfer papers.
He now held them in his hand and handed them to her.
"Aurelia, take a look. You're loaded, rich enough to support me. So, don't overwork yourself. I know you have dreams, and I hope they come true, but I don't want you to burn out before you even get there."
Aurelia was stunned. "What is this?"
Nathaniel had an urge to smoke but remembered she hated the smoke smell, so he ditched the idea.
"Just take a look. I once promised you that if I messed up, I'd leave with nothing, giving you all my assets. Four years ago, I didn't get the chance to hand them over, but it's not too late now."
Aurelia was shocked. She sat up and opened the document. In the clear moonlight, she could see the vague terms. She was truly speechless.
Four years ago, when they talked about divorce, her condition was that he transfer some, but not all, of his original shares in the Heilbronn Group. But in the property transfer agreement, he gave her everything—cars, houses, stocks, cash, both pre-marital and post-marital properties. He really left with nothing to his name.
Aurelia looked up at him. She always thought she meant nothing to him and never expected him to go this far. As a wealthy heir and CEO of a multinational company, he was willing to give up everything and become penniless.
This was hard for her to believe and understand.
On the last page, she saw his signature and the red seal, dated the day before their divorce.
Aurelia felt a weird sensation in her heart, like she was seeing a whole new side of him.
"Nathaniel, you should take this back. I don't need money, and I can't handle such a huge fortune."
Nathaniel's brow twitched. He had a feeling she'd say that.
"Aurelia, I've been working for you for four years. The stock dividends alone have multiplied several times, and the properties have appreciated. Is this how you reward your employee?"
Aurelia scratched her head in annoyance. When did this guy become so slick?
What did this have to do with her? He made the property transfer document on his own. For a business tycoon to say he was working for her was something she couldn't wrap her head around. Who would dare to be his boss? They must have a death wish.
"Nathaniel, I don't want your money. Take it back!"
Aurelia forcefully shoved the property transfer document back into his hands. Even in the dim light of night, the resistance in her eyes was unmistakable.
Nathaniel cleared his throat and said, "This document's already been notarized. If you give it back to me, are you planning to use this fortune to support me?"
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