Chapter 166 Scars and Resolve

Chapter 166 Scars and Resolve
Mia: POV

I headed to Nathan's apartment with excitement in my stomach. The prospect of spending the weekend with him made me feel like a teenager with her first crush.

It had been almost a week since we'd seen each other—he'd been busy with some family business in New York. I missed everything about him—his smile, his scent, even the way he absently stroked Nash's fur while reading the news.

When he opened the door, I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

"I've missed you so much!" I buried my face against his chest, breathing him in.

"Ssss—" Nathan hissed sharply, his body going rigid.

I immediately pulled back, scanning his face. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Nathan tried to smile casually, but I could see the pain in his eyes. "It's nothing. Just been working too much. My back's a little sore."

"Bullshit." I stared him down. "You don't wince like that from being 'a little sore.' What happened, Nathan?"

"Really, it's nothing, Mia." He tried to change the subject. "You look beautiful today. Did you do something different with your hair?"

I wasn't having it. "Stop deflecting. What happened to you? Let me see."

He sighed, knowing he couldn't persuade me. "It's just a few minor injuries, nothing to worry about."

"Sit down," I said firmly. "Where's your first aid kit?"

"Mia, it really isn't necessary—"

"Sit. Down. Nathan." My tone left no room for argument. "And tell me where your first aid kit is."

"Bathroom cabinet, top shelf," he finally conceded, lowering himself carefully onto the sofa.

I hurried to the bathroom, my heart racing. I knew Nathan—he wasn't someone who complained about pain. When he got kicked at the train station while subduing that kidnapper, he didn't even flinch. Whatever this was, it had to be serious.

After retrieving the first aid kit, I returned to find Nathan still sitting on the sofa, having removed his jacket but still wearing his shirt, staring out the window.

"Take your shirt off too," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Nathan hesitated, then slowly began unbuttoning his shirt. Each movement was careful and measured, which only made me more anxious. When he finally slipped it off his shoulders, I saw what he'd been hiding.

I stumbled backward a step, sucking in a sharp breath, the first aid kit nearly slipping from my hands. His back was covered in angry red welts—some fresh, some already forming scabs—crisscrossing his skin in a horrific pattern. I stood frozen, my hands shaking, unable to look away.

"Oh my God, this is..." My voice caught in my throat.

I took several deep breaths, closing my eyes for a moment. I needed to be strong for him right now, not fall apart. I forced myself to focus, remembering the first aid training from my college safety course.

"Nathan, don't move," my voice still trembled but had regained some steadiness. "I'm going to clean these wounds."

I opened the first aid kit and took out antiseptic and cotton balls, gently dabbing at the marks on his back. Each time he flinched, even slightly, my heart twisted.

"Who did this to you?" I asked softly, trying to control the tremor in my voice. "What happened?"

Nathan was quiet for a moment. "It's just family business. Nothing serious."

I paused, my hand hovering over his back. I didn't believe him. With Nathan's reflexes and fighting skills, there was no way anyone could ambush him successfully. I remembered how effortlessly he had taken down that kidnapper at the train station. This powerful, capable man couldn't be easily hurt.

Unless... unless he had allowed it to happen.

Cold realization washed over me. With shaky hands, I continued cleaning his wounds, but my mind was racing. I hesitated before asking, my voice barely audible: "Your... family?"

Nathan's silence was confirmation enough.

"It's because of us, isn't it?" I whispered, guilt flooding through me. "You told them about us."

After a moment of silence, Nathan nodded. "I told my parents," he admitted quietly. "I came clean about everything."

Tears welled up in my eyes and silently streamed down my cheeks as I continued treating his wounds. My heart felt like it was being crushed, knowing he had suffered this because of our relationship.

"Isn't this backward?" Nathan turned his head, attempting a light tone. "I'm the one who's injured, so why are you crying?" He reached back to wipe away my tears, then gently pulled me around to sit on his lap, careful to keep pressure off his back.

I felt the strength in his embrace—gentle yet secure. "I told them it was all me," he said. "That I pursued you."

"You idiot," I scolded through my tears. "It was me who chased after you! I'm the one who wanted to be with you!"

"Mia," Nathan looked into my eyes with such tenderness, "I tried so hard to push you away, but I couldn't let you go."

He softly kissed away my tears. "Now that you're with me, don't even think about leaving. You're stuck with me for life."

My heart melted at his words. I couldn't believe someone would willingly endure such pain for me. I hugged him tightly, careful to avoid his injuries, burying my face in the crook of his neck.

Just then, we heard a soft "meow." Nash padded over to us, rubbing against our legs. He moved with feline grace, assessing us with his deep green eyes before jumping onto the sofa. He gently nuzzled Nathan's arm as if offering comfort, then turned to me and meowed softly.

"See?" Nathan smiled. "Nash is basically our child. He's seeking attention from both his parents."

I couldn't help but laugh through my tears, reaching down to stroke Nash's soft fur.

"He must sense we need some comfort," I said, feeling my emotions settle a bit.

"Have you had dinner?" Nathan asked, gently stroking my hair.

I shook my head. "I was hoping to eat with you."

He started to rise. "Then I'll make something—"

"No way!" I stopped him firmly. "I'll cook. I'm not letting an injured person make dinner for me."

Nathan smiled and kissed the corner of my mouth. "Whatever you say. Keep it simple, though."

I looked into his eyes, seeing them filled with warmth and trust that made my heart skip a beat.

In the kitchen, I began preparing a simple meal, but my thoughts drifted to the welts on Nathan's back. He was willing to endure such pain for me, while I had been hiding safely behind his protection.

As I chopped vegetables, my movements precise but mechanical, my mind was elsewhere. Nathan had bravely faced everything, including his family, for our relationship. And what had I done? I'd let him shoulder all the consequences alone.

I gripped the wooden spoon tightly. I couldn't let Nathan carry this burden by himself anymore. I needed to step up and face the reality of our situation too.

I had to take responsibility for our relationship instead of hiding behind Nathan's protection. I would reach out to his family myself. I needed to tell them that this relationship was my choice too.

No matter what they thought of me, they needed to know that my feelings for Nathan were real and that I was willing to fight for us, just as he had done for me.