Titus Zane involuntarily clenched the hands by his sides, staring straight at Nathan Moore.
Nathan Moore’s single phrase "I know" seemed to subtly tell Olivia Zane that he was aware she had returned to T.
She had not mentioned meeting Nathan Moore to her mother and Olivia Zane, not wanting to cause any misunderstandings; Titus Zane gripped his fists tightly, worried about what Nathan Moore might say next, afraid it would push her into an irreversible predicament.
"I heard from the eldest brother the other day that he had met her back in China."
After guiding Olivia Zane to sit by the coffee table, Nathan Moore also settled down on a solo sofa, having ignored Titus Zane ever since he walked in.
Titus Zane’s curled hands gradually relaxed, and Olivia Zane also let out a silent sigh of relief. While pouring tea for Nathan Moore, she said with a smile, "When you mentioned that just now, I thought you two had met. If you had, I wouldn’t let you off easily. To think my sister came back without telling me, you’ll see how I’ll deal with you!"
Nathan Moore didn’t say much, but his dark eyes stealthily glanced at Titus Zane.
Just when Titus Zane looked over, their eyes met, and Titus Zane swiftly shifted his gaze to one side. However, he did not see the transient smile tugging at Nathan Moore’s lips.
"Have some tea first, we’ll start dinner soon."
Nathan Moore took the teacup, casually sweeping a glance over the entire living room, asking, "Where are Uncle and Auntie?"
"Mom’s in the kitchen cooking, Dad’s resting upstairs."
Once more, Nathan Moore covertly glanced at Titus Zane, and without uttering a word, lifted the cup in his fingers to his lips and took a delicate sip.
Olivia Zane saw Nathan Moore’s subtle movement and surreptitiously glanced at Titus Zane, who was idly picking at the sofa with downcast eyes. Smiling, she turned to Nathan Moore and said.
"Take off your coat, I’ll hang it up for you."
"No need, you’re not well, I can do it myself." Nathan Moore set down his teacup, stood up, removed his coat, and went to the corner to hang it on the rack.
Obliviously tightening her grip on the wheelchair, Olivia Zane’s heart sank – Nathan had just mentioned her... being impaired in movement.
So it was because he despised her disability that he had suggested she return to her parents’ house.
It seemed she needed to recover from her leg injury as soon as possible and stand up again, so she could stand by Nathan’s side. That way, he would no longer despise her.
Olivia Zane secretly resolved to recover at the earliest.
Meanwhile, after hanging up his coat, Nathan Moore made his way back to the sofa. Just as he sat down, Olivia Zane looked up at him with determination and said.
"Nathan, starting from tomorrow, I want to hire a professional therapist to help with rehabilitation and strive to stand up again, to once again go to the movies with you, have meals, and date..."
Nathan Moore’s expression did not change at Olivia Zane’s resolution. He looked at her, his lips curving lightly as he said, "Don’t overexert yourself, you’re fine as you are."
"How can this be fine!" Olivia Zane grabbed Nathan Moore’s hand, whining, "I can’t go for walks with you, can’t watch movies with you anymore..."
"Silly girl, I’m getting older now, I don’t like watching movies." Olivia Zane was cut off by Nathan Moore, his tone still gentle, his demeanor still warm but seemingly lacking something.
Olivia Zane noticed that ever since Titus Zane’s suicide attempt, Nathan Moore had changed, becoming more silent and reticent. He was still nice to her, but it felt somewhat perfunctory.
Therefore, when Nathan Moore first flew overseas for work and suggested she stay at her parents’ to facilitate care from her family, she agreed, thinking that a brief separation would bring a surprise to their next reunion, but she was wrong.
It took Nathan Moore a long time before he called her upon his return, asking if she wanted to go back. Later, Nathan’s frequent business trips and sending her to her parents’ house had become routine.
"You are not old at all," pulling back her thoughts, Olivia Zane complained with a wrinkled nose. Nathan used to love seeing her make this face, saying she was playful and cute, so now, Olivia Zane made the same expression again.
"They say a man is like a blooming flower at thirty; you’re at the most sought-after age. I need to keep a close watch on you, to prevent those other girls from wanting to flirt with you."
"What nonsensical thoughts,"
Nathan Moore withdrew his hand to stroke the top of Olivia Zane’s head, "Who would fancy an old man!"
Olivia Zane caught Nathan Moore’s hand, pressing her face into the palm of his hand and gently rubbing against it, obstinately declaring, "I fancy you! No matter how old you are, I still fancy you!"
Looking at the top of her head, Nathan Moore’s thin lips curled up slightly, but he remained silent.