Chapter 185:
“Aren’t you going to ask more?”
“Would you like to talk about it?” Nate’s voice was gentle, yet firm.
Before Corrine could answer, he added, “If you need to speak, I’m here to listen. If not, I won’t push.”
His words, soft as they were, carried an undeniable weight that seemed to reach into the deepest part of her soul.
Corrine’s heart fluttered, a mixture of emotions rising within her, and she pressed her lips tight, trying to hold it all in.
After a moment of quiet reflection, she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
“As far back as I can remember, my mother rarely smiled, except when I played the violin. This piece…” She paused, her fingers instinctively tracing the edge of her seat.
“This was her favorite. Every time I played it, her gaze would soften, and a smile would appear as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Sometimes, she’d even join me on the piano. For years, I played it just to see that smile. Eventually, I couldn’t tell if I truly loved the violin or if I was simply chasing after the happiness in her eyes. After she passed away, I stayed away from it for a long time. It wasn’t until I started living in the Ford estate that my grandfather insisted I take up various arts, saying that as a Ford, I had to be skilled in everything to represent the family properly. And so, I picked up the violin again.”
Nate’s fingers gently wrapped around hers, his touch warm and reassuring.
“We should play a duet sometime.”
“You play the piano?” Corrine’s eyes widened in surprise, her voice faltering slightly.
Then, as the thought settled, she realized it made sense given his background. Nate offered a knowing smile.
“I know a lot of things. I’ll let you discover them, one piece at a time.”
As they spoke, the car reached the gates of Celtis Estate.
“This is…” Corrine’s words faltered, her surprise clear that Nate had brought her here.
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Nate honked the horn once, and the grand gates of the estate slowly creaked open.
“Until the danger passes, you’ll stay here, for your own safety.”
His words were simple, but the underlying authority in his tone left no room for argument.
His concern for her safety was evident, and in that moment, Corrine knew she had no reason to refuse.
Seeing her lack of resistance, Nate couldn’t suppress a smirk and raised an eyebrow.
“Corrine, deep down, you’re secretly excited about sharing a roof with me, aren’t you?”
Corrine flashed him a playful grin.
“Mr. Hopkins, you have a knack for flattering yourself. You might want to look in the mirror to see how thick your skin is.” With that, she swung open the car door and stepped out with a hint of satisfaction in her stride.
Nate quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and followed her, grasping her hand with a cheeky smile.
“Why bother with pride when my wife is standing in front of me?”
“Who is your wife?” Corrine’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment, and she quickened her pace.
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