Liana was almost fully recovered by the weekend.
She stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair as soft music played in the background. A faint scent of vanilla drifted through the air—the candle Nathaniel had lit in the living room, without saying a word. He didn't mention it, but Liana noticed. He was learning the little things.
They were supposed to have a quiet day at home again—tea, books, maybe a walk on the rooftop garden.
Until the elevator dinged.
She peeked from the hallway just as the doors opened—and out stepped a woman in heels and a wine-colored suit.
Tall, sharp, beautiful.
Nathaniel appeared from his study just in time.
"Clarisse," he said, tone neutral.
The woman smiled like she owned the room. "Still formal with me, Nate?"
Liana didn't miss the way Clarisse's eyes moved to her—subtle but scanning. Measuring.
"And who is this?" Clarisse asked with a tilt of her head.
"My wife," Nathaniel said without hesitation. Then, softer, with something new in his voice:"Liana."
Liana stepped forward and offered a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Clarisse's expression twitched, just slightly. "You didn't mention you got married."
"It wasn't a headline event," Nathaniel replied calmly.
Clarisse turned her attention back to Liana. "You're... a teacher?"
"Yes," Liana said gently. "Literature."
"Interesting," Clarisse replied, with the kind of smile that wasn't a smile at all. "He used to say he had no time for soft things."
Nathaniel's jaw shifted, but he didn't reply.
Liana's voice stayed calm. "Soft things teach us where to rest."
That made Clarisse blink.
Nathaniel gave the smallest nod—almost proud.
After Clarisse left (with tight goodbyes and stiff handshakes), Nathaniel walked Liana to the couch. He didn't sit right away. Just stood, looking down at her with something unreadable in his eyes.
"She's a former business partner," he said. "And... something else, once."
Liana nodded. "You don't have to explain. I understand."
"I want to," he said quietly. "I've built my world on control, ambition, numbers. Clarisse was part of that world."
He looked at her, then sat beside her—closer than usual.
"But you... you're the part I didn't know I needed."
Liana's breath caught.
His hand reached for hers again, slowly this time. No storm. No cold. Just warmth.
"I didn't marry you for love, Liana," he said honestly. "But I'm starting to wonder if that's what I'm learning anyway."
The silence that followed was not empty.
It was full.
Full of questions. Of hope. Of the beginning of something real.
Liana squeezed his hand. "Then let's learn it together."
And for the first time since they met—Nathaniel smiled.
A real, quiet, softened smile.Just for her.
End of Chapter 6