Chapter 316

Olivia

The calm, quiet museum had been an escape from the swirling chaos of our lives.

But stepping outside, the real world waited for us—complete with its towering structures and noisy cars. Nathan suggested we go to the tall monument at the heart of the city. It was one of those tourist spots, but its height offered a perspective that ground you back to Earth—or so I heard.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Nathan urged, a playful glint lighting up his eyes.

“Alright,” I relented. A few minutes later, we were standing at the base, looking up at the imposing structure that seemed to touch the sky.

We began our ascent, one step at a time, but as we climbed higher, my heart began to race.

My palms were sweaty as we continued to climb, each step making my legs feel like jelly. “Nathan,” I stammered, “I don’t know if I can do this. I’m really scared.”

Without a word, he closed the distance between us, holding me tightly against him. His comforting scent enveloped me and made me feel at home. “You won’t fall, Liv. I promise,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

Gathering my courage, I nodded, and we resumed our journey. When we finally reached the top, the view was breathtaking. The city stretched out below us like a sprawling tapestry of lights and lives. For a moment, I forgot about our battles, the looming threats, and the weight of the responsibilities we carried. It was just us, and the world felt infinite.

As I clung to the railing, absorbing the view, Nathan’s eyes wandered to my hand. “You’re still wearing it,” he noted, his gaze fixated on the engagement ring he’d given me.

“I wouldn’t dream of taking it off,” I replied, “even when we argue.”

A soft smile graced his lips, and he took a step closer. “I’ll marry you someday soon, Liv. I promise.”

“I don’t mind the wait,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I kind of like just being engaged for now. It’s like... we’re on the edge of a new chapter, but there’s no rush to turn the page.”

We stood there at the top of the monument, catching our breath, the city a sea of lights beneath us. Nathan’s gaze was contemplative, absorbed in the view. “You know, we’ve been here before,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Have we?” I couldn’t quite remember.

“Yeah,” Nathan nodded, his eyes meeting mine. “First weekend of first grade. Remember that day trip your dad took all of us on?”

A vague recollection began to form in my mind, like a fog lifting. “Oh! I do remember!” I exclaimed as the memory took shape. “We climbed this monument together.”

Nathan grinned, obviously pleased he had jogged my memory. “Yeah, we climbed all the way to the top, just like today. Except back then, you were fearless. You led the way, remember?”

A slow smile spread across my face as the details flooded back. “I can’t believe I almost forgot. That day was perfect. I remember we got ice cream afterwards, too.”

“Yeah, and I gave you half of mine because you dropped yours on the sidewalk and started to cry,” he added, his face warming at the memory.

“My hero,” I teased, nudging him playfully.

“But you know what made that day really special?” Nathan’s tone became more somber, more reflective.

“What?”

“Your mom was there. And she looked so happy, so beautiful. She took photos of us, remember? We were pulling silly faces, making her laugh.”

My heart constricted as the image of my mom came to mind. It was before the cancer diagnosis, before the treatments and hospital stays. She still had her full head of flowing hair, and her eyes sparkled with a zest for life.

“I remember,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “She was so full of life that day. And her laughter... it was like music.”

Nathan squeezed my hand, sensing the emotion welling up inside me. “It was a good day, Liv. One of those simple, perfect days you don’t appreciate until much later.”

“You’re right.” I nodded, brushing away a tear. “I think, back then, we took those moments for granted. Now, they feel like treasures—rare and irreplaceable.”

“Maybe that’s why we’re here again,” he said, gazing out at the horizon. “To make more memories. And someday, when the twins are older, we’ll bring them here, too.”

I looked at him, his profile etched against the twilight sky, and felt a surge of love so strong it nearly took my breath away. “I love you, Nathan,” I said, the words tumbling out.

He turned to me, his eyes filled with a mix of tenderness and sincerity. “I love you too, Olivia. More than anything. Even if I’m bad at showing it sometimes.”

We stood there in silence for a few more minutes, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The city stretched out before us, its complexity reduced to tiny specks of light.

For a brief moment, all of our worries and arguments felt pointless—like tiny blips in the universe. It was as if the monument had given us a much-needed perspective, reminding us of who we were and who we could be.

“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” Nathan finally said, pulling me closer. “How life can change, but also stay the same? Here we are, a decade later, standing at the same spot, looking at the same view. Yet, everything’s different.”

“And some things aren’t,” I added, looking down at the delicate engagement ring that circled my finger. “Some things are always constant.”

“Like us,” he said softly. Before I knew it, his lips were on mine—a soft, sweet kiss that felt like a promise. It was one of those moments I wished I could live in forever.

But reality had a cruel way of interrupting.

Just as we began our descent, my ears caught the sound of footsteps echoing on the stone steps behind us. Before I could react, a force slammed into my back. I screamed as I stumbled forward, my arms flailing in the air.

But Nathan caught me, pulling me tightly against him, his arms like steel bands. “Olivia, are you alright?”

“I—Yeah, I think so,” I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked up just in time to see a hooded figure dart away, melting into the shadows before we could catch a glimpse of his face.

“Hey!” Nathan shouted. His face was a storm of emotion—rage, confusion, but mostly a fierce kind of protectiveness that sent shivers down my spine. “Who the hell would do such a thing?” he muttered, his eyes scanning the dark corners as if willing the attacker to show himself.

“I… I don’t know,” I replied, my voice shaking from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “Maybe… Maybe it was an accident.”

“No way in hell.” Nathan’s grip around my waist tightened. “Let’s get out of here. If I can find whoever did that just now, I’ll kill him.”

We continued our way down the steps, Nathan’s arm never leaving my waist. My body felt loose like jello, my adrenaline making me tremble the whole way. As if climbing a tall monument with a fear of heights wasn’t bad enough, someone tried to push me?

Why? Why would they do that? And who?