Misunderstanding

Chapter 30(Nathalie/Chase POV)

My fingers grazed the ornate wood of the estate doors. Behind me, hurried footsteps echoed off the marble floors; Chase was close, his breath coming in frantic gasps. "Nathalie, wait!" he called, his voice tinged with urgency.

I paused. Turning slowly, I caught sight of him—his handsome features marred by a shadow of guilt and sorrow. His expression was a tumult of regret, eyes wide and pleading, as if he were a man on the brink of losing everything. 

"I'm really sorry. I... I didn't know the truth," he stammered, each word tumbling out with desperation. "Mum died and you appeared... I thought... Nathalie, please, forgive me. I'll make up for everything, I swear."

A heavy silence enveloped us. I licked my lips. 

I leaned against the doorframe, sudden weariness washing over me like an unexpected tide; I couldn't remember the last time I'd tasted food, my body ached from days of sobbing and fighting, hunger gnawing at my insides.

Chase's voice faded into the background, soft and distant as if he were speaking from underwater. The ringing in my ears grew louder, an oppressive sound that drowned out his apologies.

My vision blurred and darkness crept in at the edges, my strength slipping away. I couldn't feel my legs holding me up. The world tilted, and I collapsed. 

 "Nathalie!" 

I felt firm arms close around my shoulders, pulling me into a strong embrace before I slipped into the darkness. 

***

Chase POV

"Doctor, what happened to Nathalie?" I inquired, my voice laced with deep concern as Doctor Carson stepped out of the hospital room. 

Doctor Carson swept a glance over me, his eyebrows knitting together. "When was the last time she has eaten? Not only has she been starving herself, but has been enduring fatiguing stress and anxiety for longer than what I would consider healthy."

I felt my chest tighten, as I were being engulfed by guilt; squeezing me so forcefully I could barely breathe. It's all my fault. How could I ever be so stupid, such a bastard.

"Sir Chase?" 

I inhaled a deep breath, closing my eyes before opening them again. I had to make amends for the unforgivable things I've done to Nathalie. It didn't matter if despite that, she chooses to resent me forever. I'll accept it. I deserve it. 

"Doctor Carson, is there any way Nathalie could regain her voice?" 

Doctor Carson blinked. "What? You mean, being able to speak?"

"Yes." I would do anything for her to be free from that disability. She deserved better. She deserved to be out in the world, her honey brown hair weaved together into a braid that rested on her shoulders, a smile tugging at her lips as she reached for her cuddle from her children. She deserved to be dressed in the finest clothing, her cheeks cupped by her devoted husband as they exchanged cheesy love jokes. Even if that husband wasn't me. Even if it was someone else. 

 She deserved to have the best things in life. 

"Well, it's possible for her to undergo surgery to grant her vocal cords, however there needs to be donated vocal cords for this to happen, which we don't have."

"I can donate mine," I answered without hesitation. 

"What?" Doctor Carson stood rooted to his place, his eyes bulging as he stared at me in bewilderment. He blinked a few times. "Sir Chase, I'm sure you don't understand. When I meant donation of vocal cords, I meant patients who unfortunately passed away and generously choose to donate their organs, not... an alive, healthy person."

"Why not?" I questioned. "I could undergo surgery, and we could give my vocal cords-"

"-But Sir Chase, you won't be able to speak!" Doctor Carson interrupted.

I paused. My heart thudded in my chest and I glanced through the glass windows into the hospital room at unconscious Nathalie, lying feebly on the bed. 

"That's fine, I'm willing to take the risk."

"Wha-WHAT?" 

"Doctor Carson, please arrange the surgery as soon as possible. Please don't apprise anyone about this for the time being, and no matter what, don't let Nathalie know. If she asks, just say someone who passed away generously wanted to donate his organs to others in need." 

If Nathalie was aware of the truth, she wouldn't allowed it. Perhaps she would even tell me what a disgusting and atrocious person I was, and she would rather die than have my organs inside of her. 

"Yes, Sir Chase. As you wish."