Nathan slammed the car door shut as he stepped onto the stone-paved driveway of his family's grand estate.
The towering mansion, bathed in golden light from the outdoor lamps, stood like a monument to his father's success, a success Nathan had been born into but never asked for.
The Carter name carried power. And with power came responsibility. One his father never let him forget.
The heavy wooden doors creaked open as he stepped inside, his shoes echoing against the marble floors. He barely had time to exhale before a deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
"Where have you been?"
Nathan's shoulders tensed. His father, Harrison Carter, stood at the foot of the grand staircase, arms crossed over his chest.
Even at home, he was dressed in a crisp, tailored suit, exuding the same air of authority that had built his empire.
Nathan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "At the library. Working on a project."
Harrison scoffed. "A project? Since when do you take school seriously?"
Nathan forced himself to stay calm. "Since I decided to actually graduate."
His father studied him, searching for a lie. "If you put half as much effort into your future as you do into your reckless behavior, you might actually become the man this family needs."
Here we go again.
Nathan clenched his jaw. "I am not reckless."
"Yes, you are." Harrison's voice was cold, unwavering. "You waste your time on foolishness, ignoring the business world as if you have a choice. This company will be yours one day, whether you like it or not. And I refuse to let my empire fall into the hands of a careless boy."
Nathan's hands curled into fists. He'd spent his entire life under his father's suffocating expectations, constantly told he wasn't enough.
He'd had enough.
"You know what?" His voice was sharp as he turned away. "I don't need this right now."
"Walking away won't change your fate," his father called after him.
Nathan didn't stop. He stormed toward the private gym in the backyard, slamming the door behind him.
The heavy bag swung violently as he landed punch after punch, sweat dripping down his forehead. Each strike carried his frustration, his anger, his exhaustion.
His father would never change.
And Nathan was tired of trying.
After an hour of relentless hits, his muscles burned, but his mind was still a storm. He needed to get out of here.
Grabbing his car keys, he left the estate, rolling the windows down as the cool night air hit his face. He didn't know where he was going. He just drove, letting the city lights blur past him.
Until something made him slow down.
A small café.
And standing inside, moving quickly between tables, was Christiana.
A smirk tugged at his lips. Well, well. Look who it is.
Without thinking twice, he crossed the street and stepped inside.
Christy was exhausted.
Her shift had been brutal, and she still had assignments waiting for her at home. She'd barely eaten today, but that wasn't new.
"Christy, table five needs their order," a coworker called.
She nodded, grabbing a tray and turning, only to nearly drop it when she saw him.
Nathan Carter.
Dressed in a hoodie and joggers, he looked completely out of place in the small café. His sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on her, amusement flickering across his face.
Christy sighed. "What are you doing here?"
Nathan smirked. "Nice to see you too, partner."
She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, are you following me now?"
He leaned against the counter, casual yet annoyingly confident. "Relax. I was just passing by and thought I'd grab a coffee."
Christy folded her arms. "Again? Or did you just come to tease me some more?"
He shrugged. "Maybe I wanted to see how you survive working two jobs and studying at the same time."
"Unlike you, some of us don't have the luxury of taking life as a joke," she shot back.
For a split second, Nathan's smirk faltered. But before he could respond, the door chimed.
Christy turned and her stomach dropped.
Jeff.
Her body tensed instantly. She hadn't seen him in days, and she had hoped it would stay that way.
Nathan must have noticed her reaction because his smirk disappeared, his gaze flickering between her and the man who had just walked in.
Jeff spotted her immediately, grinning as he strode over. "Babe, I've been trying to call you."
Babe? Nathan's brow lifted slightly.
Christy inhaled sharply. "I've been busy, Jeff."
Jeff draped an arm around her shoulders, and her skin crawled. "Come on, don't be like that. I miss you."
Nathan, who had been silently watching, suddenly leaned forward on the counter. "Who's this?" His voice was light, but there was something sharp beneath it.
Jeff turned to him, sizing him up. "And you are?"
Nathan's lips curled into a lazy smirk. "A friend. You?"
Jeff tightened his grip on Christy. "Her boyfriend."
Nathan's expression flickered. His smirk didn't vanish completely, but the amusement in his eyes dimmed.
Jeff turned back to Christy. "We need to talk. Outside."
Her stomach twisted. "What do you want, Jeff? I'm working."
He sighed, pretending to be hurt. "I just need a little help, babe. Just a little money to get me through the week."
Of course.
Nathan clicked his tongue. "Wow. That's low."
Jeff shot him a glare. "Mind your business."
Nathan leaned back, looking thoroughly entertained. "Just saying, most guys actually take care of their girlfriends, not the other way around."
Jeff ignored him, focusing on Christy. "Come on, babe. Just a little. I'll pay you back."
Nathan let out a slow chuckle. "Sounds like a bad investment."
Jeff's jaw clenched. "Can you just shut up? I don't need your opinion."
Nathan's smirk faded slightly. "Then stop talking loud enough for me to hear."
Christy swallowed, her heart pounding. She knew this was going to escalate.
Jeff suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Let's talk outside."
Her breath caught in her throat.
Nathan's chair scraped against the floor as he stood, his once-playful demeanor gone. His voice was low, dangerous.
"Let. Her. Go."
Jeff hesitated, but his grip didn't loosen.
Nathan took a step closer, his body radiating tension. "I won't repeat myself."
The air in the café thickened with unspoken threats.
Jeff's fingers tightened.
Christy gasped.
And before she could react…
Nathan moved.