Chapter 18 – A Familiar Stranger

The night air was cool as two figures arrived at the front of an elegant suburban house. The place was quiet, almost untouched, yet it carried the warmth of familiarity. Nathan stood before his childhood home, gripping the handle of his luggage as memories flooded back.

Lucien, standing beside him, glanced at Nathan's reaction. "This is where you grew up?"

Nathan nodded slowly. "Yeah… Feels weird being back."

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, unlocking the door. The moment he entered, the faint scent of aged wood and fabric greeted him. It was clear that the house had been maintained, but it lacked the lively presence of a family.

Lucien followed him in, setting his bag down near the entrance. "So, what now?"

Nathan exhaled, closing the door behind them. "Tomorrow, I go back to school. But this time… I'm not the same Nathan Cole everyone remembers."

A New Chapter Begins

The next morning, Nathan woke up earlier than usual. The sky was still a shade of deep blue as he sat at the dining table, staring at his untouched breakfast. Lucien, dressed in his usual composed manner, joined him.

"You seem restless," Lucien noted.

Nathan smirked. "I'm just… thinking. Three months ago, I vanished from this place. Now I'm back, and I have to face everyone like nothing happened."

Lucien leaned back. "That's part of the process, isn't it?"

Nathan chuckled. "Yeah. And speaking of that, I need to see someone before school starts."

The Carter Estate

Later that day, Nathan and Lucien arrived at the Carter Estate, a grand mansion that belonged to Lilian Carter's family. The moment they stepped through the gates, they were met with the sight of an extravagant gathering—waiters moving around with trays, guests dressed in expensive suits and dresses, and the overall atmosphere of high society.

Nathan's gaze sharpened. "Looks like they're having a party."

Lucien observed the scene. "Are you still going in?"

Nathan smirked. "Of course."

They maneuvered through the crowd effortlessly, moving toward the study where Joseph Carter, Lilian's father, usually spent his time. Nathan knocked twice before pushing the door open.

Joseph looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from confusion to shock the moment he saw Nathan.

"Nathan…?" Joseph stood up, unable to hide his disbelief. "You… You're actually here?"

Nathan gave a half-smile. "Surprised?"

Joseph exhaled. "More than you know. You disappeared right after your accident. Everyone thought…" He trailed off before shaking his head. "Where have you been?"

Nathan shrugged. "It's a long story. But I came here to ask… How's Lilian?"

Joseph's expression softened. "She was devastated. But she never gave up searching for you."

Nathan felt a strange tightness in his chest. "Where is she?"

Joseph glanced toward the ballroom. "She's out there, talking to some guests."

Nathan didn't wait any longer—he turned and walked out.

A Not-So-Warm Welcome

As Nathan scanned the room, his gaze locked onto a familiar figure—Lilian Carter. She was dressed in an elegant evening gown, standing in the middle of a conversation. But Nathan's focus quickly shifted when he saw the man standing in front of her.

Derek Lancaster.

Nathan's eyes narrowed as he caught the tail end of Derek's words.

"So, Lilian, how long are you going to keep up this act? Your boyfriend disappeared right after his accident. Looks like he ran away—probably couldn't handle being in your shadow."

Lilian clenched her fists, glaring at Derek. "Shut up, Derek. You don't know anything."

Derek smirked. "Oh, but I do. Everyone does. Nathan Cole vanished because—"

"Because he had better things to do than waste time with trash like you," Nathan cut in.

The entire room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

Lilian blinked in confusion, clearly not recognizing him. Derek, however, scoffed. "Who the hell are you?"

Nathan smirked. "Just someone who can't stand hearing you talk."

Derek, annoyed, stepped forward. "You think you're funny?"

Nathan tilted his head. "No, but I do think you're an idiot."

The tension in the room grew as Derek, unable to hold back, threw a punch. But before it could land, Nathan casually dodged, catching Derek's wrist mid-air. He twisted it slightly, making Derek flinch in pain.

"Try harder," Nathan whispered.

Before Derek could react, Nathan shoved him back, making him stumble. The guests murmured among themselves, some stifling laughter.

Nathan ignored them and turned to Lilian, extending his hand. "Come with me."

Lilian hesitated, still confused by this stranger's sudden appearance. But something about his presence felt oddly familiar.

"…Who are you?" she asked.

Nathan simply smiled. "Let's just say I'm someone you've been looking for."

And with that, he took her hand and led her out of the party, leaving behind a stunned crowd—and an even more furious Derek Lancaster.

As Nathan and Lilian walked through the quiet garden of the Carter Estate, the distant sound of music and chatter from the party faded into the background. The night air was crisp, and the dimly lit path gave a serene atmosphere to their conversation.

Nathan shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at Lilian with a smirk. "I should probably introduce myself properly. Nathan Cole, the successor of Cole's Group."

Lilian's steps slowed, her eyes narrowing slightly as recognition dawned. "…Cole's Group?"

Nathan raised a brow. "Yeah."

Lilian folded her arms, realization hitting her. "Wait. You're that rich guy who tried to flirt with me a few months ago."

Nathan chuckled. "So, you do remember me."

Lilian scoffed. "You were annoying."

Nathan smirked but didn't deny it. Instead, he casually changed the subject. "So, I heard you've been looking for your fake boyfriend."

Lilian's expression shifted instantly, her playful sarcasm replaced by something more serious. She turned to face Nathan fully. "What do you know about him?"

Nathan met her gaze steadily. "What would you say if I told you… Nathan is actually closer than you think?"

Lilian frowned, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What?"

Before she could question him further, Nathan raised a hand and ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair, deliberately messing it up. The strands fell into a familiar disheveled look—the same way his hair had always been before.

Lilian's breath hitched. Her eyes widened in shock as the realization crashed over her.

Nathan gave her a knowing smile. "Now… have you finally found him?"

End of Chapter 18.