Misunderstanding

Chapter 25(Chase POV)

When I saw Nancy's pale face on TV, unconscious, I immediately thought of Nathalie. How was she doing? Was she dead? Was she working endlessly at a restaurant, only to be paid a couple of dollars an hour? I constantly reminded myself of how she had killed my mother and hurt Alice, but I couldn't help but let guilt tear me apart. 

I saw her face every night in my dreams, sobbing and begging for me to spare her with her innocent looks. Over these past days, I kept getting spam calls from Charlie, but I ignored them as I knew he couldn't do anything about it. 

In an effort to make it up to Nathalie and finally escape the suffocating prison of guilt and horror, I longed to see her, apologize, and provide her with shelter and money. Perhaps then, I wouldn't have to live in the guilt cage every day, every night, every second. As I stared at the TV screen, I scrolled through news articles about Nancy. Imagining myself treating Nancy better, I felt my heart lightening.

Nonetheless, if treating Nancy better could help me feel better, I'm willing to do it. I could pretend Nancy was Nathalie.

I called for my driver to prepare a car to head to the Adams Estate.

***

Upon arriving at the estate, I was met with the sight of hundreds of bodyguards surrounding the building, trying to prevent reporters from snapping any more pictures of their beloved lady. As I approached the gates, two guards dressed in black suits and sunglasses halted me. 

Henry, who stood behind me, spoke up, "Move, this is Chase Daniel Charles."

"Chase Daniel Charles?" The guards exchanged a surprised glance before opening the gates, welcoming me with a warm smile. "Our Lady has a massive crush on you, please do enter!" 

What? Although I was confused, I kept a straight face as I entered the estate, Henry following closely behind. I was led to the living room by a maid and served tea. 

Moments later, Madame Adams, her cheeks stained with tears, emerged.

"Greetings, Madame Adams."

"Oh, Chase! W-what are you doing here?" she sniffled and dabbed the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief as she sat down across from me. 

"I heard that Lady Nancy is feeling unwell."

"Yes! Nancy has been refusing to even look at us ever since she passed out! She won't eat, she won't tell the doctor anything, she stares out the windows all the time and I suspect she wants to leave us!" A chain of words rushed out of her mouth along with tears.

I frowned. That wasn't good for her or her health. "Where is she?"

Guided by Madame Adams, I entered Nancy's bedroom, where Sir Adams stood by her bedside.

Face buried in her pillow, Nancy seemed distant and withdrawn. Catching sight of me, Sir Adams rose from his seat and shot me a pleading gaze before leaving the room with his wife.

I could see under the quilt, Nancy's figure was trembling. Now that the room was silent, I could hear the soft sniffles.

Slowly, I approached her, gently tapping her shoulder. Startled, she raised her head.

My eyes widened at the sight before me - her eyes were blood red with unknown hatred, her cheeks damp with tears with an innocent look. At that moment, Nancy became a mirror image of Nathalie. Peering up at me, her gaze held a mixture of confusion and anger. Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of emotion compelled me to embrace the girl, pulling her into a tight embrace. 

Nancy stiffened in my arms, frozen and uncertain.

The scent of her body, her soft hair, her small figure was just so familiar. It all reminded me of Nathalie. What would it feel like to hug Nathalie? Would I even get a chance to?

My heart was pounding in my chest as I tightened the embrace. I felt myself blushing furiously and desperate to hide it. 

What was I feeling? Was I... falling in love?