Chapter 6 BENEATH RAIN CLOUDS

Nathan Conat stood across the street from St. Anne’s beneath the awning of a closed pharmacy, hands in the pockets of his charcoal coat. 

Rain misted around him. Just some distances away, his driver waited nearby with the car.

Nathan’s attention remained fixed on the hospital entrance. On Laura.

She emerged nearly an hour later looking exhausted and furious in equal measure.

Beautiful too. That part annoyed him slightly.

Her dark curls were tied back messily today, exposing elegant cheekbones and beautiful jade-green eyes. And her petite frame were curved in ways that distracted him more than they should.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He ignored it.

Laura started down the sidewalk, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket against the drizzle.

Nathan waited three seconds before following. Not close enough to be obvious. Just enough.

She suddenly stopped beside a small street food cart. Nathan made to quietly pass her, pretending coincidence, but then her voice cut through the rain.

“You know stalking’s illegal, right?”

Nathan halted.

She turned her head slowly to look at him over one shoulder, expression calm but sharp enough to cut glass.

He swallowed. “You noticed.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You followed me from the warehouse last night too.”

“Well,” he shrugged. “You were being followed by other people first.”

Her gaze on him turned incredulous. “That doesn’t make you less creepy.”

Nathan glanced toward the food cart. “Have you eaten?”

Laura blinked. “What?”

He gestured subtly toward her face. “You look lightheaded.”

“I prefer murderous.”

He nodded once. “That too.”

To his surprise, her mouth twitched slightly.

The vendor looked between them impatiently. “You buying or flirting?”

Laura looked personally offended by the question.

Nathan almost smiled.

Five minutes later, they were sitting beneath the cart’s rusted awning with paper trays of tacos and steaming coffee neither had originally intended to buy.

Rain drummed steadily overhead. Laura ate slowly, occasionally throwing suspicious glances toward Nathan, who wasn’t exactly subtle watching her over the rim of his coffee cup.

“You’re staring again.”

He shrugged. “You say interesting things with your face.”

Laura laughed dryly. “That’s because my face hates you.”

Nathan leaned back slightly. “You hate rich people.”

“I hate people who think money makes them untouchable,” she corrected.

“Is there a difference?”

Laura snorted softly. “You sound defensive for a guy who rides a bike worth more than this entire food stand.”

Nathan didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he asked quietly, “You really gave up university?”

The question surprised her enough to show. “How’d you know that?”

“Well,” Nathan replied smoothly, “you talk like an engineer. And people say you’re the best mechanic in your district. There’s also word about you dropping out.” He lifted one shoulder slightly. “People talk.”

Laura stared at him for a second before looking away.

“I was studying mechanical engineering before well… I had to give it up.” She took a long sip of her coffee.

“You miss it.”

She nodded. “Every day.” 

Something in her voice shifted. Nathan found himself listening too attentively. Watching her too closely. 

“My father used to say engines tell the truth, you know?” She actually smiled. “If something’s broken, they don’t pretend otherwise.”

“Like people do, I suppose?” 

She nodded. “Exactly.” 

She exhaled sharply, the exhaustion lines in her face clearer than ever. “You see, my custom bike shop is the only thing I have left of my dream of becoming an engineer.” She shook her head slowly. “And Regal Empire wants to take that away from me?”

A soft scoff escaped her lips. “In their dreams!”

Nathan looked at her for a long moment as she bent over her tacos again. If she knew who he really was, she wouldn't be here, talking to him so openly like this. The realization sat strangely heavy in his chest.

His phone buzzed again. This time he checked it. A message from his father:

‘Did the mechanic sign yet?’ Nathan’s jaw tightened instantly.

Laura noticed. “Girlfriend?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“You looked irritated enough.”

Nathan locked the phone. “Family.”

Laura hummed. “That explains it.”

For the first time in years, Nathan almost told someone the truth. 

Not about his name. Not about him being the heir to Regal Empire. Just the truth that mattered. That he was tired…

Instead he said, “You should let someone help you.”

Laura’s expression closed immediately. “There it is.”

Nathan frowned slightly. “What?”

“The pity.”

He shook his head quickly. “No. This isn't pity.”

“Then what is it?”

He stared at her hard. Rainlight reflected green in her eyes.

Defensive. Exhausted. Beautiful.

“I haven’t figured that out yet.” 

Laura held his gaze for a second too long. Then she stood abruptly.

“I should go.”

Nathan rose too.

She pointed at him warningly. “And Jax, don’t follow me this time… Really don't.”

He nodded simply, watching her walk away into the gray afternoon.

When she was gone, he unlocked his phone and opened the report waiting on his phone from the investigator he’d hired overnight.

The name: Laura Montez, was in big bold letters.

The report contained her family debts information. Her younger sister's medical records. Her university transcripts. Her father's prison files.

Nathan stared long and hard at her old student ID photo attached to the file, zooming in on her bright smile and hopeful eyes.

The image of her in the photo was in great contrast to her current self. Angry eyes. Frowning lips. The world had ruined her.

Something cold and ugly twisted in his ribs.

“Who did this to you, Laura Montez?” 

He exhaled sharply before slipping the phone back into his pocket and heading toward the waiting car.

The driver immediately opened the rear door.

He slid inside, loosening his tie slightly as the vehicle pulled smoothly into traffic.

For a while, he stared out the rain-streaked window. Then he pulled out his phone again and dialed a number.

The call connected almost instantly. “Saint Anne’s administration.”

“This is Nathan Conat.”

The voice on the other end changed immediately. “Mr. Conat—”

“I need Sofia Montez’s oncology billing statements and treatment invoices forwarded directly to my office from now on.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I also want her transferred into a premium private recovery suite as soon as one becomes available.” Nathan’s voice remained calm. “Approve any medication, scans, or treatment options her doctors recommend without delay.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And move her case to priority status for the incoming oncology specialist from Zurich.”

There was a startled pause.

“That waiting list is extremely selective, sir.”

His voice sharpened slightly. “Then move her to the top of it.”

A pause. Then… “Understood.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened slightly before he added.

“Whatever the cost is, I’ll cover it personally. I will increase my donations to the hospital if necessary.”

“Yes, Mr. Conat.”

“And one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Keep my identity completely anonymous.” 

Ending the call, Nathan turned out the window again, a scowl forming on his face.

Laura was sacrificing everything for her sister. She was genuinely struggling. She was not manipulating anyone… Not like everyone in his world was…

So, how could he bring himself to take away the one thing she had left? How could he?