?Chapter 846:


    Corrine wrapped her fingers around the ss, her gaze dropping slightly. “Yes, no moon.”


    Her voice was light, almost indifferent, but beneath ity a sorrow so subtle it made his heart tighten.


    Nate reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers. “I will always be by your side.”


    He understood her too well—he could hear the deeper meaning behind her words. Unlike the moon, which faded and disappeared, he would always be there.


    Corrine looked up at him, her eyes softening. “Are you not curious?”


    Nate met her gaze, the ice in his expression melting into quiet warmth. “If you want to talk, I am here to listen.”


    She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Nate… you make it impossible not to love you.”


    He never pressured her, never demanded exnations. He simply held her hand and told her, “I am here,” whenever she was feeling down. That quiet strength, that unwavering presence—it was why she was willing to risk everything for him.


    But she knew Nate would never let her put herself in danger. Corrine tightened her grip on his hand, her fingers brushing lightly against his, a silent gesture offort.


    “I am fine,” she murmured. “I was just reminded of some unpleasant people and things after seeing the way Danna’s father acted.”


    A sigh escaped her lips. “Give me a moment, and I will be fine.”


    “You do not have to put on a strong front with me.” Nate pulled her gently into his arms, his voice low and soothing. “I will be your rock. Do whatever you need to.”


    His deep, maic voice carried an indulgence so rich, it was like silk wrapping around her heart.


    Corrine looked up at him, her eyes glimmering with quiet warmth. She leaned her head against his shoulder, letting her gaze drift toward the few stars scattered across the night sky. “When I was a child,” she murmured, “I used to think that people turned into stars after they died. Butter, I realized that death is just death. You do not be a star.”


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    It was a lie—one of those gentle lies adults told children tofort them. But lies were still lies. There was no kindness in them.


    Nate’s voice was calm when he spoke again. “Have you ever heard this saying? As long as the living remember, the dead never truly leave. Maybe she is in another world, watching over you. As long as you remember, she will never disappear.”


    Corrine’s eyshes quivered slightly. As long as she remembered, her mother would never disappear… She repeated the words to herself, letting them sink in.


    She still remembered how her mother loved dresses, how she adored flowers but favored white tulips above all others, how she had a hopeless sweet tooth despite constant toothaches, how she would close her eyes and hum along to Introduction and Rondo Caprioso by Camille Saint-Sa?ns, the violin piece she loved most.


    And… What else?


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