Chapter 23
Nathan chuckled. “You came all the way downstairs just to say that? Well, I’ve long since forgotten about it.”
Cheryl was Nathan’s first love, the one who captured his heart all throughout his teenage years. But now, Nathan had truly let go.
Even though liking someone didn’t always make sense, sometimes, the 18–year–old version of Nathan would occasionally try to take over. However, the 36–year–old Nathan had enough self -control to keep that younger version of him, the emotional fool, in check. What was in the past should stay in the past.
Cheryl’s eyes brightened. “So, can we go back to how things were? You have no idea how hard it’s been for me these past few days, not being able to talk to you”
Nathan shrugged, a hint of self–mockery in his tone. “Do you think a broken mirror can be perfectly restored?
“Cheryl, to be honest, even now, I still feel something when I look at you sometimes. But I don’t plan to like you anymore.” With that, Nathan turned and walked away.
Going back to how things were before might make Cheryl happy, but it’d just make him miserable.
Cheryl stood there, stunned.
As a young girl, Cheryl couldn’t fully understand the depth of Nathan’s final words. She didn’t know that hidden within those words was a firm and painful resolve.
Nathan had spent his entire youth and countless sleepless nights thinking about her. His wounds were constantly torn open again and again, filling him with endless pain.
At this moment, Cheryl only vaguely sensed that something she had once thought was hers for the taking was slipping away through her fingers as Nathan walked away.
It was like holding sand in her palm. No matter how hard she tried, the grains were still slipping out of her grasp.
The moon was beautiful that night, but Cheryl went home in tears.
Jasmine was surprised and quickly went to her daughter’s side.
“Cherry, what’s wrong?”
“Mom, Nathan… Nathan doesn’t want to talk to me anymore.”
Cheryl couldn’t hold back any longer and threw herself into Jasmine’s arm. She cried like a
little girl who had just lost her favorite toy.
Jasmine was even more confused.
Weren’t they just fine earlier? She had seen Nathan helping Cheryl with her studies seriously. She even thought they looked adorable together.
How did things turn sour in the blink of an eye?
“Cherry, what happened?”
Through her sobs, Cheryl explained the whole situation to Jasmine.
The more Jasmine listened to her, the deeper her frown grew. By the end, her expression had turned entirely serious.
‘Cherry, stop crying for a second. Let me ask you, do you think what you did was right?”
“Mom, I know I was wrong. I’ve already apologized to Nathan, but he still won’t talk to me
Jasmine sighed as she looked at her daughter, her face streaked with tears. She looked utterly pitiful.
“Oh, my silly girl. We’ve spoiled you too much. You’re 18, but you still don’t fully understand how to respect others. Did you ever think about how much it hurt Nathan when you embarrassed him in front of everyone? You care about your pride, but doesn’t Nathan have his own?”
Cheryl instinctively retorted, “But I’ve already apologized
Jasmine was both exasperated and amused, “silly girl, do you really think everything in this world can be solved with just a simple “I’m sorry?”
Cheryl’s eyes were red. “Mom, what do I do now? I’m really sad that Nathan won’t talk to me anymore”
Jasmine sighed again. “Let me break it down for you.
