The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 169

Chapter 169:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

It was her cup.

He noticed her flustered expression and arched a brow, feigning innocence.

“What?”

Corrine stared, heat creeping up her cheeks as she struggled to ignore the way her pulse quickened.

“I still have work to finish. I might be late leaving tonight.” She turned to walk away, but before she could take a single step, his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly into his arms.

His lips brushed against her ear, his breath warm and his voice a deep murmur that sent shivers down her spine.

“Corrine, if you just believe in yourself, you’ll see—you can live up to anything.”

“Live up to anything…”

How could she?

Corrine lowered her gaze, concealing the storm of emotions swirling in her eyes.

Nate stood still, his posture steady, his gaze unwavering. Like a hunter assessing his prey, he gave her time to decide, his patience infinite. Slowly, he loosened his hold around her waist.

“It’s fine. I can wait,” he said, his tone calm but heavy with unspoken meaning.

As his warmth began to fade, Corrine felt an ache, as if something essential was slipping away from her grasp.

Before her thoughts could catch up, her hand shot out, grabbing his.

Nate froze at the unexpected touch, his expression shifting—surprise flickered briefly in his eyes before being replaced by something unreadable.

And then she kissed him. Her lips brushed against his, cool and impossibly soft, leaving behind a sensation that was both fleeting and unforgettable. The delicate touch was like a spark landing on dry kindling, igniting something uncontrollable within him. For a brief moment, his mind emptied, consumed by the fire she had lit.

Though the kiss lasted only seconds, it left Nate breathless. His gaze burned as he looked at Corrine, his eyes now darkened with an unmistakable intensity.

Corrine pulled back slowly, determination shining in her eyes—a resolve he hadn’t seen before.

“Nate, if you stay by my side, I will never leave you!” Her words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise intertwined.

L𝑎t𝑒st ch𝑎pt𝑒rs in gαl𝑛ovels.cøm

Nate’s gaze deepened, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed felt endless, stretching taut with tension.

Corrine searched his face desperately, hoping to find some crack in his exterior. Yet, the longer he remained impassive, the more the vulnerability pressed against her.

Her smile wavered, the strength in her grip faltering as self-doubt crept in. She began to let go, retreating into the familiar walls she had built.

But before she could pull away, Nate’s hand tightened around hers. In one fluid motion, he drew her back against him, his arm wrapping firmly around her waist.

With his free hand, he tilted her chin up, his thumb grazing her skin with surprising gentleness. His lips curled into a smirk, and a deep, rich laugh rumbled from his chest.

“Darling, some things should always be said by a man,” he murmured, his voice a low caress, each word steeped in quiet authority.

Corrine had no choice but to meet his gaze, her breath hitching as her heart thundered in her chest. His nearness, his intensity, made her pulse race uncontrollably.

.

.

.