Chapter 109

It was as if he had let down his guard in front of her.
She knew it would be like this. His sturdy back also bore wounds, scars crisscrossing it, giving it a fierce appearance, leaving marks of imperfection on that flawless figure.
Nina looked at his broad back, knowing his capacity now to shoulder the responsibilities of the York family, but who would imagine the weight his shoulders bore.
Her hand gently touched his back, causing Nash’s body to stiffen for a moment. His gaze deep, he didn’t reject her touch, only his hoarse voice telling her, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Each scar pierced Nina’s heart. She remained silent, but her fists clenched tightly.
He was unwilling to bring it up, perhaps these scars were memories Nash preferred not to revisit, including the time with her.
Nina pursed her lips, took a few steps back, and withdrew her hand. She realized there were still secrets about Nash she didn’t know. She even speculated that he used to be “Zac,” not Nash.
Zoe had also mentioned that she disliked Sally, even going as far as to claim that she was the one who raised Nash, implying that Sally had no right to assert dominance in her presence. Clearly, despite being his mother, Sally had never really taken care of him.
It was all too strange. Perhaps Sally simply didn’t love her son very much, leaving his childhood less than happy. Looking at it now, Sally cherished her son. Maybe in middle age, she had finally realized it! Nina’s mind was in turmoil, but she regained composure and calmly said to him, “You smell of alcohol, go take a shower.”
“Okay.” Nash calmly pulled on his shirt and headed to the bathroom to shower.
Nina, in perfect sync, went to the closet to fetch clothes for him. She placed a set of pajamas by the bathroom door. Taking care of his daily life had become routine for her, and Nash had grown accustomed to her attentiveness.
Sometimes she wondered, after their divorce, if she left, would he struggle with her absence? Would another woman come into his life, familiar with his habits, and satisfy him? If so, would he quickly forget about her?
The world wouldn’t stop spinning just because someone was gone; Nash could carry on without her. Nina grabbed her own pajamas and enjoyed a leisurely shower in the adjacent bathroom before returning to the bedroom.
She lay down and closed her eyes. Soon enough, Nash emerged from the shower. She remained still, feigning sleep, feeling the bed sink as he approached.
His body pressed tightly against hers, his arm wrapped around her waist, radiating warmth. He seemed eager to melt her into his body. His breath brushed against her cheek, tinged with the scent of alcohol. Sensing his hand sliding up beneath her pajamas, the heat from his touch made Nina’s body jolt. She pretended to groggily turn her head, meeting Nash’s slightly intoxicated gaze.
In that moment, she saw a depth of emotion in his eyes she had never seen before.
Yielding to the impulse of the alcohol, he kissed her neck tenderly, his voice husky and magnetic as he whispered in her ear, “Nina, stop seeing Scott. Just be my wife, Nash’s wife, from now on.”