?Chapter 873:


    After dinner, sheced her fingers through his and led him to the staircase.


    All the steps were nketed in rose petals, with small, thoughtfully wrapped gifts ced along the way. Each present was adorned with balloons, their colors bright against the soft glow of the setting sun.


    “These gifts represent the different stages of your life,” she exined. “Everyone has a past. I wish I had known you back then, but I want you to understand—while I couldn’t be part of your yesterdays, I’ll be here for every tomorrow. I did all this because I want to weave more of myself into your story.”


    When Nate remained quiet, uncertainty shadowed her face. She lowered her gaze, a self-conscious smile tugging at her lips. “Do you think I’m too greedy?”


    Everyone knows reason and logic, but when ites to matters of the heart, even the most rational people can act irrationally.


    And that’s exactly what she felt. Like a fool.


    But just as regret began to gnaw at her, a shadow enveloped her. Nate reached out to tenderly lift her chin. His eyes held hers, deep, filled with an emotion that words could not fully capture.


    Corrine looked up and found herself staring into Nate’s intense eyes, as if some unseen force had drawn her in. Nate’s gaze seemed filled with quiet warmth, like there were deep, unspoken feelings hidden there, hard to understand.


    “I wish you’d be a bit more greedy, always sticking close to me, never letting me slip away,” he said.


    Corrine raised an eyebrow in surprise. She’d never heard such a daring request before.


    “Don’t men usually like women who are sensible, who know how to give them space?” she said, her eyes thoughtful as she studied him. “If I hung on to you all the time, wouldn’t you eventually grow tired of me? I think, even in love, everyone needs a bit of breathing room.”


    She had never seen love as something that tied you down. If someone truly loved you, there was no need for rules or limits to keep them loyal. On the other hand, no rule could hold someone whose heart wasn’t truly yours.


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    “You’re putting me in the same category as idiots?” Nate’s brow furrowed, his voice dripping with confidence. “Do any other men evene close to being like me?”


    Seeing the pride in Nate’s face, Corrine couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, they don’t.”


    “Then, hold on to me as much as you want. I swear, I’ll never grow tired of you.”


    “You’re so sure about that?” Corrine raised an eyebrow, surprised.


    Nate gave a firm nod. “Go ahead, try me.”


    A yful spark shed in Corrine’s eyes. “Nate, are you trying to trap me?”


    “No,” Nate replied, his gaze steady and sincere.


    Corrine raised an eyebrow, clearly doubtful.


    “Alright, enough of that. How about you open your gifts first?”


    “Yes, let’s open the gift,” Nate said, and then bent down and easily lifted Corrine into his arms.


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