Chapter 535 It Will Be Fine
Time seemed to blur as Nathaniel clung to a single conviction: he had to endure.
He'd weathered countless storms before, and this one would pass too. There was no hardship in this world he couldn't overcome. If he didn't fear death, what else was there to fear?
Clenching his jaw, Nathaniel fought against the wild cravings surging through his body. Sweat poured down his face, tracing the contours of the veins bulging at his temples.
In the master bedroom, Aurelia rolled over, her hand finding only empty space beside her. At first, she thought she was dreaming, but when she forced her eyes open, she confirmed he was indeed gone. The covers on his side were slightly disturbed, pulled back at one corner.
"Nathaniel?" she called softly toward the bathroom. No response came.
She slipped out from under the covers and checked the bathroom. No sign of him. It was three in the morning, and she couldn't imagine where he might have gone, especially with his injured leg.
Aurelia made her way downstairs, pausing at the second floor to glance toward the study. The lights were off, so she continued to the first floor, searching every room without success.
A sense of unease settled in her chest. Back in the bedroom, she noticed his watch and phone still on the nightstand, and his shoes remained by the front door downstairs. After contemplating for a few minutes, she descended the stairs once more.
She approached the study door and knocked tentatively. After all, where else in the house could he be? When no sound came from within, she called out again, "Nathaniel?"
Just as she raised her hand to knock once more, the lock clicked from inside. The door opened, and Nathaniel stood there, silhouetted against the light he'd just switched on behind him.
Even in the backlight, Aurelia could see his bloodshot eyes and the beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Nathaniel, what's wrong?" Aurelia stepped forward, reaching up to wipe the perspiration from his brow. His unusual state made her heart race with concern.
She wondered if Reed's departure had triggered his psychological condition. Though she'd never witnessed one of his episodes, Oscar had described them as terrifying. The thought made her stomach knot with worry.
"Nathaniel, please, talk to me. What's happening?" She wrapped her arms around his waist, alarmed to find his body ice-cold despite his cotton pajamas being completely soaked with sweat. She couldn't bear to think what he must have endured alone.
Nathaniel had finally regained some composure. In recent days, Zack had been there to help him through these episodes, but this was the first time he'd weathered the storm without medication. He'd made it through.
He embraced her, pressing her head against his chest. "Aurelia, it's nothing. Just had a nightmare."
She pulled back to study his face. "Nathaniel, are you keeping something from me? If you're lying to me, I swear..."
"There's nothing," he replied, his voice weak.
Aurelia remained unconvinced, her gaze piercing. "Nathaniel, you seem ill. Maybe we should cancel tomorrow's trip and see Dr. Bryant instead."
He took her hand in his. "I'm fine now. Mark prescribed medication last time, but I didn't even finish it. Threw it away."
Though Aurelia didn't press further, doubt lingered in her mind.
The next day, the family of four returned to Coral Bay. After landing, they drove directly to Nathaniel's apartment complex. Aurelia hung up the clothes they'd brought, organized their things, and left the children with Nathaniel while she took his car to the Semona estate to pack her belongings. This time, she wouldn't let anyone dissuade her.
The Semona mansion was quiet when she arrived. It was Cathy's naptime, and the staff moved silently to avoid disturbing her.
As Aurelia entered, she encountered Dahlia carrying the children's bedding with careful steps.
Dahlia had cared for both children since birth and aired their bedding daily, whether they slept at home or not.
Aurelia glanced upstairs and lowered her voice. "Dahlia, don't bother with that. I need you to pack Jacob and Dorothy's clothes. Starting today, we're moving to Nathaniel's place, and I'd like you to come with us."
Dahlia looked startled. "Ms. Semona, will Mrs. Semona allow me to leave?"
"Start packing. I'll speak with my grandmother. She'll understand."
Dahlia nodded and followed Aurelia upstairs to Jacob's room, where they closed the door to speak freely.
"Please consider what I'm asking," Aurelia said earnestly. "Jacob and Dorothy see you as family. You've been with them since they were born. I truly need your help with the children when I'm busy. Name your price."
Dahlia had grown attached to the family during her time with them. If not for the children's birth, she wouldn't have been hired by the Semona Family in the first place.
"I'll come with you, Ms. Semona. Just please speak gently with Mrs. Semona. No arguments."
Aurelia's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry. My grandmother is reasonable. I'll explain everything clearly. For now, just pack their essential items. We can get the rest later."
"I'll start right away."
After giving instructions, Aurelia returned to her room to gather her frequently worn clothes, personal items, and important documents.
An hour later, estimating that Cathy would be awake by now, Aurelia knocked on her grandmother's door.
"Grandmother, are you up?"
Cathy had been lying down all afternoon without actually sleeping. She beckoned Aurelia inside. "Aurelia, you're back?"
Aurelia sat beside her. "We landed at noon. Grandmother, I need to discuss something with you."
She paused briefly. "Nathaniel was shot during our trip to Elvenia. He nearly lost his life."
Cathy started, clearly hearing this news for the first time. "How is he? Where was he wounded?"
Mentioning his injury pained Aurelia. "In the chest. The bullet nearly pierced his heart."
Concern crossed Cathy's face. "How dangerous. Is he recovering well? No lasting damage?"
Aurelia shook her head. "He's still healing. We'll have to monitor for complications. Grandmother, I came to tell you I'm moving to his place. He's alone here—his family is all in Imperick. He needs someone to look after him."
Though framed as a discussion, Aurelia was essentially informing her grandmother of a decision already made. She'd strategically described Nathaniel's brush with death before mentioning the move.
Cathy wasn't heartless. Though reluctant, she recognized Aurelia's feelings for Nathaniel and had come to respect him after seeing him prove himself.
"If you wish to move there, then do so. But remember this: a woman should never let love cloud her judgment. Don't surrender your entire heart to a man. If he gains complete control, you'll be the one who suffers."
Aurelia met her gaze without wavering. "Grandmother, he would never do that."
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