As they arrived at Nathan's mansion, the maids were already waiting outside, their curious eyes unable to hide their interest. One whispered to the others, "Isn't that the lady who came here the other day? She looks exactly like Mrs. Katrina. I've been noticing it since the first time I saw her."
Allison, one of the senior maids, quickly stepped in. "Be careful what you say unless you want to get into trouble with Mr. Reed," she warned. The others nodded in agreement and got busy helping with Elena's belongings from the car.
Nathan led Elena inside the house with care. One of the maids quickly brought her a glass of water at Nathan's request. As she sipped it, Nathan couldn't stop staring at her, a soft smile on his face. Noticing this, Elena turned to him and said shyly, "Stop staring, Nathan. You're making me nervous."
Nathan said nothing, only smiled wider. Elena couldn't help but smile back. Meanwhile, the maids were peeking from the corner, giggling among themselves. "I think the boss has found love again," one of them whispered. "Look how he's staring at her. Do you think it's what I'm thinking?"
Allison, always the voice of reason, replied, "Exactly. But thank God he's happy again."
As Nathan turned toward their direction, they quickly scattered back to their posts.
The maids served a delicious lunch, and Nathan and Elena sat together at the table. After lunch, Elena took her medication, and Nathan personally escorted her to her room. As she lay down, she asked Nathan to leave so she could rest, but he insisted on staying to watch over her until she fell asleep. Knowing she couldn't win this battle, Elena sighed and allowed him to stay.
Within minutes, Elena drifted off to sleep. Nathan moved closer to her bedside, sitting gently beside her. He looked at her peaceful face, his hand brushing lightly against her cheek. Smiling, he whispered, "You look so beautiful. I won't let anything happen to you again. You belong to me now."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly before leaving the room with his phone in hand.
Unbeknownst to him, Elena's eyes fluttered open slightly as he left. She smiled, her heart racing uncontrollably. "Why does he make me feel this way?" she whispered to herself. She adjusted her position and drifted back to sleep.
Two hours later, Elena woke up and walked into the living room. She found Nathan sitting on the couch, engrossed in some files. She sat beside him, and as soon as Nathan noticed her, he put his work aside and turned his full attention to her.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"I'm getting better," Elena replied with a small smile.
Nathan asked if she needed anything, but she shook her head. As they talked, Elena suddenly asked, "Nathan, have you ever fallen in love?"
Nathan paused a faint smile on his face. "Yes, I have," he replied.
A little surprised, Elena asked softly, "Where is she now?"
Nathan's expression changed to one of sadness. "She's gone," he said simply.
Elena immediately felt guilty for bringing it up. "I'm so sorry for asking," she said apologetically.
Nathan smiled gently. "Don't apologize. I'm happy again now," he said.
Curious, Elena asked, "What makes you happy now?"
Nathan's eyes softened as he replied, "Because I'm in love again."
Elena's heart skipped a beat at his words. Trying to mask her emotions, she asked, "Who's the lucky girl?"
Nathan chuckled. "You'll meet her soon," he teased.
Elena felt her heart pounding and quickly excused herself, claiming she needed to use the restroom. Once inside, she leaned against the door, her voice trembling as she whispered to herself, "What is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? We're just friends, nothing more." She splashed water on her face to calm down before returning to Nathan.
When she came back, Nathan asked if she was okay. She forced a smile. "I'm fine," she replied.
As they continued talking, the doorbell rang, and one of the maids opened the door. Aria burst in and immediately hugged Nathan. "Baby Chaos is here again!" Nathan said with mock surprise. "Don't tell me Mom sent you to investigate me again."
Aria pouted and punched his arm playfully. "Come on, big bro. I'm just here to say hi."
Nathan smirked. "Only a fool would believe that."
Ignoring him, Aria walked over to Elena and greeted her warmly. "Hi, Katrina—oh, sorry, I mean Elena."
Elena smiled. "Hi, Aria. Good to see you again."
Aria asked why Elena was at the mansion, and Elena explained about her accident and that she needed someone to take care of her. Aria was visibly shocked to hear about the accident and asked if she was okay. The siblings and Elena seemed more relaxed after a short conversation filled with jokes and laughter
Later that night, Elena was lying in bed, her thoughts consumed by Nathan's earlier words about finding happiness in love again. "Why do I feel this way? Could it be… no, it's impossible, "she murmured, frustrated and confused.
A knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts. When she opened it, she found Nathan standing there.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
"I should be asking you the same thing," she replied with a small laugh.
Nathan smiled. "You need your rest. Promise me you'll go to sleep now."
Elena nodded. "I promise." Nathan left, but not before giving her a long, meaningful look.
Meanwhile, in another room, Aria was on a video call with their mother. "Mom, Elena is staying here with Nathan for a few days. They said she had an accident, and Nathan wants to take care of her," she reported.
Mrs. Reed's voice turned stern. "I'm coming over tomorrow. I want to see her for myself."
Aria panicked. "No, Mom, you can't! Nathan will kill me if he finds out I told you."
But Mrs. Reed was resolute. "I've made up my mind." She hung up before Aria could say another word.
Aria groaned and flopped onto her bed. "Oh no, I'm dead. Nathan's going to kill me tomorrow. I need to write my will before dawn." She tried calling her mother back, but the phone was switched off. Aria screamed in frustration, prompting Nathan to call her.
"Aria, stop screaming, or I'll throw you out of the house," he warned.
Aria gulped and whispered, "Yes, big bro." The following day, Nathan and Elena were having breakfast together. Aria joined them, immediately noticing how Nathan kept staring at Elena. "Someone's in love," she teased, grinning mischievously.
Nathan snapped out of his trance and glared at her. "Aria, eat your food and stop talking nonsense," he said sternly.
But Aria wasn't done. "Are you in love, Nathan?" she asked again, winking.
Nathan sighed in exasperation. "If you don't stop, I'll return you to Mom."
Elena chuckled as the siblings bickered. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. One of the maids went to open it, and Aria's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no, it's her!" she whispered to herself.