Chapter 181 Honesty

Chapter 181 Honesty
A week later, the university slowly began to settle back into its usual rhythm.

The investigation had officially cleared Amelia of every allegation. The disciplinary committee withdrew the case before it ever reached a hearing.

Connor and Tessa remained in police custody while the criminal investigation continued, and for the first time in weeks, Amelia could walk across campus without feeling dozens of curious eyes following her.

Her examinations ended two days later. The moment she walked out of the last examination hall, she stopped beneath the large acacia tree outside the faculty building and closed her eyes.

"It's over."

A familiar voice answered from behind her. "It really is."

She turned.

Nathan stood there, leaning casually against his car with a bouquet of white lilies tucked behind his back.

The sight of him made her smile before she even realized she was doing it. "You've been waiting long?"

Nathan shrugged. "Long enough to watch three students celebrate like they'd just escaped prison."

She laughed softly. "That's exactly how final exams feel."

He held out the flowers. "Congratulations."

Amelia accepted them carefully. "They're beautiful."

"I thought you deserved something better than another box of chocolates."

She looked up at him. "You've spoiled me enough already."

Nathan smiled. "I don't think that's possible."

That evening, Nathan drove them to a quiet restaurant overlooking the river just outside the city.

Unlike their first outing months earlier, there were no curious students. Only soft music, warm lights reflecting across the water, and the gentle sound of boats drifting past in the distance.

Dinner passed easily.

They spoke about everything except the past few weeks. Ryan's terrible jokes. Mira's endless energy.
Sophie's dramatic voice notes. Even Mrs. Miller's insistence that Nathan had been too thin when he arrived home.

Amelia laughed so hard at one of the stories that she almost spilled her drink.

Nathan simply watched her. The sound of her laughter had become one of his favorite things.

When their plates had been cleared away, a quiet silence settled comfortably between them.

Nathan rested his elbows lightly on the table. "There was something I've been meaning to ask you."

Amelia looked up. "What is it?"

He smiled faintly. "Our fake relationship..."

She raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

Nathan looked out across the river for a brief moment before returning his gaze to her.

"Are you still comfortable with it?"

The question caught her by surprise. She searched his face, trying to understand where he was going.

Instead of answering immediately, she asked quietly, "Why?"

Nathan let out a slow breath. "Because I'm not."

Amelia frowned slightly.

He gave a small, nervous laugh. "I don't mean that in a bad way." His fingers traced absent-minded circles against the edge of the table. "I just don't think I've been pretending for a very long time."

The smile on Amelia's face slowly faded into something softer.

Nathan met her eyes. "When we first agreed to all this, I thought it would be temporary." He smiled to himself. "I told myself it was only an arrangement."

He shook his head. "Then somewhere along the way, you became the first person I wanted to tell about my day." He chuckled quietly. "The first person I looked for whenever something happened."

His voice softened. "The first person whose opinion started mattering more than my own."

Amelia remained perfectly still.

Nathan continued. "You stayed beside me when I was lying in a hospital bed.You believed me when other people doubted me.You reminded me that not everyone walks away."

He smiled, though emotion shimmered behind his eyes. "You've changed me, Amelia." His voice became almost a whisper. "You made me more patient.You made me listen more. You even made me realize that I was carrying fears I never admitted to anyone."

He leaned forward slightly. "I love the way you laugh before you realize something is funny.I love how you always pretend you're not worried even when it's written all over your face. I love how you put everyone else first, even when you're exhausted."

He smiled warmly. "And somewhere between pretending to be your boyfriend." He paused. "I fell deeply in love with you."

The words hung gently between them.

Nathan reached across the table and took her hand. His grip was gentle enough that she could pull away whenever she wanted.

She didn't.

"I don't want to keep calling you my fake girlfriend."
A quiet smile appeared on his lips. "I'd really like the chance to be your boyfriend for real."

Amelia lowered her eyes to their joined hands.
For several long moments, she said nothing.

Nathan didn't rush her. He had waited this long. He could wait a little longer.

Finally, she looked back at him. There was warmth in her eyes and conflict.

"So much has happened." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Nathan nodded. "I know."

She squeezed his hand gently. "I've spent weeks wondering whether I'd lose my education, my future, and more importantly my nerd reputation."

She laughed softly, though there was no humor in it. "I don't think I've even had enough time to understand everything that's happened."

Nathan listened without interrupting.

She looked at him with an apologetic smile. "I care about you." Her words came slowly, chosen with care. "More than I expected to."

She took a quiet breath. "And maybe, if life had been calmer.” She shook her head gently. "I don't know."

Nathan's expression remained calm.

Amelia continued. "I don't want to say yes because I'm grateful. I don't want to say yes because you protected me. I don't want to make a decision while my heart is still trying to recover from everything that's happened."

She smiled sadly. "It feels too soon."

Nathan held her gaze for a long moment. Then he smiled. Not because it was the answer he wanted but because it was honest.

He gave her hand one gentle squeeze before letting it go. "Thank you."

Amelia looked surprised. "For what?"

"For trusting me enough to tell me the truth." He leaned back in his chair. "I'd rather wait for a real yes." He smiled softly. "Than accept one you're not completely sure about."

Relief spread across Amelia's face. "You aren't disappointed?"

Nathan laughed quietly. "Of course I am."

The honesty made her smile.

"But disappointment isn't the same as regret." He looked at her with the same warmth that had been there since the beginning. "If waiting a little longer means that one day your answer comes from your whole heart..." He shrugged lightly. "I think that's worth waiting for."

Amelia felt her chest tighten. She reached across the table this time and placed her hand over his.
"I don't know how long it'll take."

Nathan smiled. "I'll let you decide that."

The river flowed quietly beside them. Neither of them had gotten everything they wanted that night. Yet somehow, as they walked back to the car together beneath the glow of the streetlights, it still felt like the beginning of something real.

The drive back to the female hostel was much quieter than the journey to the restaurant. Neither of them seemed uncomfortable.

They simply allowed the silence to exist. Sometimes it was easier to sit beside someone than to search for the perfect words.

Nathan stopped the car outside the hostel gate and turned off the engine. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Amelia smiled softly. "You probably will."

He laughed. "I'll probably?"

She nodded. "You've developed a habit of appearing wherever I happen to be."

Nathan rested one arm on the steering wheel. "I can't help it." His smile carried the same warmth it always did. "I enjoy being around you."

Amelia felt herself smile again. "Good night, Nathan."

"Sleep well." He replied smiling.

She climbed out of the car, closed the door gently, and looked back once before walking toward the hostel entrance. Nathan waited until she disappeared inside before driving away.