"Who's he?" Nathalie blurted out.

Miranda's worn and thin face twisted into a smug grin. "If you want to know, then give him a proper send- off." She gave Patrick's coffin a pat.

Nathalie glanced at the small, plain wooden coffin, a testament to how tight money must have been for Greta.

With a bitter laugh, Nathalie said, "She's your real daughter. You loved and sheltered her all your lives, no matter how ungrateful or cold she was. You never could bring yourselves to blame her, even on your deathbeds. And me? I begged for you, cared for you in your old age, yet I never earned a drop of your kindness. I don't get it. Is blood really that crucial?"

Nathalie's raw accusation seemed to stir a flicker of conscience in Miranda. At last, she opened up, saying, "The bond of blood is unbreakable, stronger than any other relationship. You'll get it one day." Miranda's talk of family ties left Nathalie with a faint glimmer of hope.

She'd lived through two lifetimes, never knowing true love in either. So lonely, so isolated. Deep down, she longed for that noble, selfless love.

"Alright. I'll lay her to rest." Determined to find her biological father, Nathalie put aside her resentment toward Patrick.noveldrama

She shot a silent glance at Miranda, then turned and walked away.

At the parking lot, Nathan stood by a white luxury car, his black suit a striking contrast, dark as ink against the snowy white-a perfect harmony.

Nathan greeted her, unfazed by the wait. He was always the picture of calm and kindness with her. "Kept you waiting?" he teased, wrapping her in a hug and resting his chin on her shoulder.

Nathalie hugged him back, feeling the strength in his lean frame, though strangely lacking warmth. "Nathan, I want to stay," Nathalie said.

Nathan raised his head slowly, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"I'm staying to bury him," Nathalie quickly explained.

Though confusion clouded Nathan's gaze, as always, he chose to back her without question. "Alright. I'll stay with you."

"Don't you want to know why I'm staying?" Nathalie asked.

"Would you tell me if I did?"

Nathalie held his gaze with her dark eyes.

Se husband and wife, like

secrets between us."

Nathan's eyes flickered, but he nodded with a calm façade. "Yeah."

Fa feather. There

A heavy sadness weighed on Nathalie's heart.

"My mom said if I bury him, she'll tell me who my real father is," she continued.

Nathan was taken aback. "You still want to know?"

Nathalie buried her face in his chest. "I know we were both abandoned by family, so we don't expect much from them. But Nathan, my mom said he doesn't even know I exist. I want to give myself a chance. If he knew about me, maybe he'd

Welcome me with open arms.'

II

Nathan gently stroked her hair,

the hid his eyes. He fearenet

Nathalie's hopes, the

harder the fall.

But seeing the hope in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to quash her dreams.

"If you've decided, I'll help you find him."

Nathalie beamed. "Nathan, you're the best."