Chapter 76: Nathan's Persistence

The envelope lay innocently, crisp and cool, on the kitchen counter, its presence radiating almost palpable energy. Across the room, in Nathan's well-known handwriting, her name seemed to be laughing at her. She had been circling it like a wary animal for a good part of an hour—drawn by opposing senses to and from it, Olivia realized. At last, her frustration had built up, and she grabbed the envelope and tore it open. The smell of Nathan's cologne was so faint but unmistakable, rising from the papers within, instantly transporting her to a place she thought best buried in her memory. It began, "Dear Olivia," and she almost heard Nathan's voice in her head. "I know I have no right to reach out to you like this, especially after our conversation at the coffee shop. Still, I can't get rid of the feeling that there's more I need to say, more I need you to understand.". Seeing you again, hearing everything you've gone through. It's shaken me to the core. I finally realized it, with pai