Chapter 102 Chapter 102
The smell of coffee filled the dining room as the morning sun slowly crept through the big glass window.
The maids moved quietly, setting the table with fresh bread, boiled eggs, and fruit juice. The air in the house was calm, different from the usual tension that often surrounded it.
Nathaniel walked down the stairs, his hands in his pockets. He looked tired but peaceful. He hadn’t said much since waking up, but at least he wasn’t angry.
When he reached the dining room, Cassandra was already sitting at the table, dressed in a simple silk robe. Her hair was tied neatly, and her face had no makeup, only softness.
She looked up as he entered. “Good morning,” she said, her voice small.
Nathaniel nodded. “Morning.”
He sat opposite her, and the maid quickly poured coffee for him. Cassandra picked up her cup, trying to hide her nervous fingers. It had been a long time since they sat together for breakfast.
For a few minutes, they both ate in silence. The only sound was the clink of spoons and the quiet hum of the air conditioner. Cassandra glanced at him once in a while but looked away before he could meet her eyes.
Finally, she cleared her throat. “Did you sleep well?”
Nathaniel nodded slightly. “I did.”
“I’m… glad you came back home,” she said slowly. “The house felt empty without you.”
He looked at her, his eyes calm but unreadable. “I didn’t come to stay away forever.”
Her heart skipped. “I thought you were angry with me.”
“I was,” he said honestly. “But I got tired of being angry.”
Cassandra smiled weakly. “You always say things so simple, but they sound deep.”
He gave a small shrug. “I’m not good with words.”
The maid came in and poured juice for Cassandra, then left quietly.
Cassandra watched her leave before she spoke again. “Nathaniel… I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve said things I shouldn’t, done things I regret. But I still want to make this marriage work.”
Nathaniel looked down at his coffee. “Sometimes I don’t even know what this marriage means anymore,” he said quietly.
Cassandra’s hands shook a little. “Please don’t say that. We’ve come too far to just end like that.”
He raised his eyes slowly. “Have we really come far? Or have we just been holding on to something broken because we’re scared to let go?”
She didn’t answer. The truth in his words hit her hard. Her eyes turned red, but she blinked fast, forcing a smile. “I don’t want to give up. I know things can still change.”
Nathaniel sighed and leaned back on the chair. “Change doesn’t happen in a day, Cassandra. You need to stop thinking love is something you can buy or control. It doesn’t work like that.”
She bit her lip, trying not to cry. “I know,” she whispered. “I just… I just don’t know how to fix it.”
He softened a little. “Then stop trying so hard to fix everything. Just start by being honest.”
Her eyes met his. “I am being honest now. I missed you, Nathaniel.”
He nodded slowly. “I missed the old us too.”
They stayed quiet for a while. The sunlight touched their faces gently. Cassandra’s heart melted at his tone — it wasn’t cold anymore, just calm, tired, and human.
She smiled faintly. “Do you remember when we used to eat breakfast together before work?”
Nathaniel chuckled lightly. “You always burned the toast.”
She laughed too. “And you still ate it anyway.”
He smiled for the first time that morning. It wasn’t wide, but it was real. “I didn’t want you to cry.”
The air around them slowly warmed. Cassandra looked at him with soft eyes. “I wish we could go back to those days.”
Nathaniel’s face turned thoughtful. “Maybe not go back,” he said. “But we can start new ones.”
She nodded quickly, wiping a small tear. “I’ll take that.”
Just then, a maid entered with a small smile. “Sir, your meeting is scheduled for ten o’clock.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Alright. I’ll leave soon.”
After the maid left, Cassandra said quietly, “Do you still have a long day at work?”
“Yes,” he replied. “But I’ll be home for dinner.”
Her face brightened. “Really?”
He nodded again. “Yes. I’ll be home.”
Cassandra smiled softly, her heart feeling lighter. It had been months since he said something like that.
When he finished eating, Nathaniel stood up. He picked his car keys from the table and looked at her. “Take care of yourself, Cassandra.”
“I will,” she said quickly.
He hesitated for a second before adding, “And don’t shout at the maids today.”
Cassandra laughed a little, embarrassed. “I’ll try.”
Nathaniel gave a small smile and walked out. Cassandra watched him leave, her eyes following every movement. The sound of his car engine soon faded outside.
When the door closed, Cassandra sighed deeply and leaned back on the chair. Her heart was beating fast, but for once, it wasn’t from anger. It was from hope.
She turned to one of the maids who came to clear the table. “You see? Your madam is learning to behave,” she said with a small laugh.
The maid smiled nervously. “Yes ma, you look happy today.”
Cassandra nodded proudly. “I should be. My husband came home.”
She stood up and walked to the balcony. The morning breeze touched her face gently, and for the first time in months, she smiled like a woman who still believed things could change.
In her heart, she whispered, Maybe this is the start of something new.
Downstairs, Nathaniel’s driver opened the car door for him. Nathaniel sat quietly in the back seat, his mind heavy again.
He didn’t know what the future held, but something inside him said the peace wouldn’t last.
He looked out of the window as the mansion disappeared behind him. “I hope she really changes this time,” he muttered.
But deep down, a small part of him still doubted.
Because with Cassandra, peace never stayed for long.