Reborn From Oblivion

"You're just picking on Nathan because his mom passed away early and his grandparents are too old to stand up for him, aren't you?" Nathalie snapped.

Benjamin, feeling as wronged as a character in a classic tragedy, was pacing nervously. "What can I say to make you believe us?" he pleaded.

"I swear, we never did anything to hurt Nathan. If I'm lying, may I meet a terrible fate."

Benjamin's intense vow left Nathalie feeling conflicted. Her eyes drifted back to the photo album...

She couldn't wrap her head around it. How could one person live two completely different lives? Maybe Nathan had a twin brother?

That would explain things. But if he did, how could Gavin not know? It just didn't add up.

"Benjamin, let me go," Nathalie decided it was best to get out of there before anything else.

Benjamin quickly untied her, apologizing, "Nathalie, please don't be upset. I didn't mean to tie you up. I just really needed to explain everything. I knew you wouldn't come if I just asked, so I had to take this drastic step." Once she was free, Nathalie, fuming, kicked Benjamin in the leg. "If you ever pull a stunt like this again, you're done for."

Benjamin just gave a sheepish grin, unfazed. "I promise, there won't be a next time."

He handed her phone back to her with respect. On it, Nathan had left a dozen missed calls and a flood of messages.

By the time Nathalie stepped out of the dim room, it was already evening. She hailed a cab and headed back to the hospital.

But there, the doctor informed her that Nathan, upon hearing she was missing, was adamant about leaving the hospital to find her.

Hearing this, Nathalie's heart sank, overwhelmed with guilt. She quickly called Nathan, who picked up almost immediately. "Where are you?"

"Nathan, where are you?" they both asked in unison.

"I'm at home."

"I'm at the hospital," they both replied simultaneously.

Then came a long silence. Both knew the other had a million questions, each wanting the other to speak first.

But neither knew how to begin.

Finally, Nathan broke the silence, his voice soft, "I miss you. Please come back."

Nathalie replied gently, "Okay."

a

She rushed back home, her mind buzzing with questions ready for Nathan. But when she opened Nathan's door, she found him in wheelchair, his cast gone, one leg injured and bleeding. A computer sat before him, displaying her movements post-kidnapping.

no

The floor was strewn with papers, all covered with Nathan's meticulous tracking notes.

In such a short span, he ne

together her whereabouts better

than she knew them herself,

showing just how frantic he had

been.

Nathalie's doubts seemed especially harsh

ew. She quietly wentnoveldrama

him, face in his lap.

inelt down, and burie, overs?

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

Nathan gently stroked her hair. "I was losing my mind waiting for you to come back."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Nathan asked, inspecting her with concern.

Nathalie reassured him, "No, he didn't."

Nathan paused for a moment, then asked casually, "So, why did he kidnap you?"