Chapter 128

"Got it," Caroline responded hastily.

"I can heat it up and eat it later," Nathan continued.

"No need, there's not much left. I was just being extra," Caroline was eager to end the awkward conversation.

"Then why were you being extra?" Nathan's tone grew colder.

Caroline was momentarily speechless.

"Sorry," she had to apologize.

Her apology not only failed to calm Nathan's anger but made it worse.

Clearly, she was in the right, so why apologize? Why was she being so submissive?

Roxanne had poisoned Nathan's mind with so many negative things about Caroline that he saw her as malicious, making everything she did unbearably irritating.

"Why apologize?" Nathan coldly asked again.

Caroline's temper almost got the better of her. She thought, 'Isn't he just picking a fight on purpose? I've already apologized, and he is still being relentless?'

"You're in a bad mood, but why take it out on me?" Caroline's tone turned cold as well.

"How do you know I'm in a bad mood? Do you know me that well?" Nathan stood in front of Caroline, exuding a cold aura.

"Your girlfriend is missing; of course you're not happy. Isn't it obvious?" Caroline said angrily.

Nathan's face darkened even more. He thought, 'Is she mocking me?'

"Let me be clear: even though I have had issues with your girlfriend, I had nothing to do with her disappearance. I won't take the blame for it!"

"Why do you have a grudge?" Nathan asked.

"It's a long story, you don't have time to listen, and I don't want to talk about it."

"Is it because of a role?"

Caroline was shocked. He knew? Did Roxanne admit to betraying her for a role back then?

"Yes," Caroline nodded.

Nathan's face grew even darker. It seemd Roxanne wasn't lying; Caroline actually admitted it!

"You did such a thing!" Nathan gritted his teeth.

"I had no choice," Caroline said.

Nathan was stunned and thought, 'So, she's trying to justify hurting people?'

"Your mother will never forgive you!"

Mentioning Daisy made Caroline's heart ache. She didn't get to see Daisy one last time; how could Daisy forgive her?

"That's my biggest regret. My mother indeed can't forgive me," Caroline said sadly.

Nathan grew even more furious. She caused her own mother's death, and that's her only regret?

"You only feel regret!"

"It's also my pain, but the past is set in stone," Caroline said, sobbing.

Nathan realized he couldn't continue. Caroline, who caused her own mother's death, only felt regret and showed no sign of remorse!

If they kept talking, he feared he would lose control, break his principles, and physically punish Caroline!

He snorted coldly and walked away.

Caroline stood there, still immersed in her grief and longing for Daisy. The regrets and sorrows buried deep in her heart would occasionally resurface, always just as painful.

"Mommy, did you and Nathan have a fight?" Sophie, who had been playing outside, ran in.

"No," Caroline composed herself.

"But I clearly heard you two arguing."

"We were just discussing, and discussing isn't fighting."

"Discussing about Mommy's mom?" Sophie seemed to be playing a word game.

"Yes, you should say grandma," Caroline explained.

"What kind of person was grandma?" Sophie asked curiously with wide eyes.

"She was very beautiful and gentle. If she were still here, she would love you very much."

"Yes, but it's a pity I can't see grandma," Sophie said regretfully.

Caroline wanted to say, "Grandma was killed by someone," but thought better of it.

Children shouldn't bear too much hatred; it would affect the development of a healthy personality.

"It's okay, grandma is watching us from the sky. She told me in a dream that she loves Sophie and Ryan very much."

"Really? Why doesn't grandma come into my dreams?"

This question left Caroline unsure how to respond.

"Go play; Mommy still has work to do."

"Mommy, I'm tired of this place. When can we go home? I want to go to school."

Caroline also had no answer for that either. She also wanted to leave but had to wait for rescue. When it would come, or if it would come, was unknown.

"Soon; don't worry," Caroline could only comfort her.

"Forget it, I'll go ask Nathan. He might know."

Caroline quickly stopped her. "He's in a bad mood. Leave him alone,or you'll get scolded."

"No, Nathan won't yell at me. He never does," Sophie insisted.

"Alright, if you're not afraid of being scolded, go ahead and ask. Just don't come crying to me if you do," Caroline said helplessly.

"I'm not so bored as to talk nonsense in front of a child." A voice came from behind. Nathan, who they thought had left, had returned.

This made Caroline both angry and amused. He was eavesdropping on their conversation, and he said he wasn't bored. What would count as bored then?

Days passed quietly, and soon, a new day dawned.

Anxiety lingered like morning mist, and the news of the dwindling food was deeply unsettling.

The fish in the river seemed to have become more elusive, or perhaps resources were scarce. The team found it increasingly hard to catch anything, and after much effort, they only managed to snag a few scrawny ones, which was pretty discouraging.

If this continued, their only food source would be wild vegetables, and the survival crisis was pressing.

Even more concerning was the uncertainty of whether the escaped kidnappers had perished in the jungle or were hiding nearby, planning to strike again. If they didn't leave soon, they could be facing a catastrophic disaster.

On the other hand, Sawyer's intellect was stuck at a childlike level. He called Nathan "Dad" and affectionately referred to Caroline as "Mom."

Since Roxanne's disappearance, Nathan and Caroline's relationship had hit rock bottom. There was less warmth and more coldness between them.

To Nathan, Caroline was a baffling paradox. He despised her, yet he was irresistibly drawn to her unique aura. This contradiction filled him with self-loathing, shame, and guilt.

The internal battle between his pride and these concealed emotions created a storm of conflict and anxiety within him. The more he struggled with his feelings, the more his hatred for Caroline intensified, seeing her as the root of all his troubles.

Caroline saw Nathan's sudden coldness as him blaming her for exposing Roxanne, which led to his girlfriend's disappearance. She found it absurd and irrational that he might still have feelings for the malicious Roxanne.

Both harbored resentment, and in their confined space, they despised each other. Each day felt like an endless torment. With food supplies dwindling and their survival at risk, even the usually lively Sophie had grown much quieter, and the air was thick with heavy silence.

At dusk, Caroline was about to take a nap but was interrupted by the sound of a plane overhead.

Everyone rushed out at the sound, looking up at the sky. John quickly reminded everyone to stay alert, as any plane in this complex environment could bring unknown dangers.

"Dad's here!" Ryan shouted excitedly.

"How do you know it's Dad?" Sophie asked curiously.

"The plane is circling above; it's searching for us. If it were the enemy, they would have attacked us by now, but they haven't attacked or left. It must be Dad!" Ryan's analysis was mature beyond his years, and Caroline couldn't help but agree.

"Everyone, tie your clothes together to make a signal and place it in the clearing to guide the plane to land," Nathan judged it to be a rescue and immediately started organizing.

After some teamwork, a small helicopter landed smoothly. The person who got out was Nick.

"Ryan, Sophie!" Nick called out excitedly.

"Dad!" Sophie was picked up, and Nick was in tears.

"Dad, why are you crying?" Sophie asked, puzzled.

"I thought I'd never see you again. Now that I see you, I'm so excited!" Nick sobbed.

Nathan, seeing this, felt both awkward and relieved.

"Two dads?" Sawyer poked his head out, looking at Nick and Nathan in confusion.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You came to rescue people, and you can't even go back yourself!" Nick scolded.

"Dad, Sawyer's brain is messed up," Sophie explained.

"What happened?" Nick was confused.

"He was harmed by a bad woman. Now Sawyer calls Nathan 'Dad' and calls Caroline 'Mom'! He even fights with me for food!" Sophie seemed quite helpless.

"What on earth happened?" Nick asked Nathan.