e-booksonline Chapter 500 I Don't Want To Disappoint You
Chapter 500 I Don't Want To Disappoint You
but just as nina's pen began to descend, a voice—low, cold, and razor-sharp—sliced through the air.
"stop it, nina...what exactly do you think you're doing right now?"
the word was quiet, but it carried a weight that froze both nina and her husband in place. the pen in her hand faltered, hovering just above the paper.
slowly, hesitantly, she turned her head, as did her husband. their gazes landed on kafka, who was no longer casually sitting on the chair.
he stood straight, looking like he was towering over them, his expression dark and unyielding. the playful smirk that usually adorned his face was gone, replaced by something much more menacing.
and suprisingly his eyes, sharp and piercing, were locked onto nina...not her husband this time, but her. there was no trace of warmth in his gaze, only a cold intensity that made her breath hasten.
"k-kafka?" nina stammered, her voice trembling slightly.
she had seen him intimidating others before—seen the way he reduced her husband to a quivering mess just moments ago—but she had never felt that sharp, suffocating focus directed at herself.
her husband took a step back, his earlier relief evaporating as he looked between kafka and nina. the fear he had felt before returned, stronger than ever. he wanted to say something, to demand an explanation, but the sheer presence kafka exuded made his voice catch in his throat.
kafka's tone was calm, but there was an icy edge to it that sent shivers down nina's spine.
"nina,are you just going to sign it? just like that? without reading a single word?"
nina blinked, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "i-i mean, yes, s-since he said it's just accounting documents." she said softly, as if that were explanation enough. "it's not—"
"it's not what?" kafka interrupted, his voice in a tone that resembled her father berating her when she got into needless fights when she was young. "not worth looking over? not worth questioning?" he tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "do you trust the man who couldn't bother to think of you for a second that much, nina?...enough to sign something without knowing what it is, when you hold you have your mother's single inheritance in your name?"
her husband opened his mouth to protest, but kafka's sharp gaze snapped to him, silencing him instantly. the man's lips pressed into a thin line, his hands clenching at his sides. he didn't dare speak, too rattled by the sudden shift in kafka's demeanor.
nina's grip on the pen tightened, her confidence wavering under kafka's intense scrutiny. "i just...i didn't think—"
"that's the problem." kafka said, his voice soft but filled with disappointment. "you didn't think."
the weight of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. she looked down at the papers, her earlier certainty dissolving into doubt. the ease with which she had been about to sign now felt reckless, foolish even.
but the lump in her throat only grew as the silence stretched on. she was so consumed by her own guilt that she didn't notice kafka's expression softening.
he had been about to speak. his words were poised to scold her again.
but the moment he saw the glimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. his resolve faltered....nina.
it hit him then. how harsh he had been. he hadn't meant to hurt her. not like this. he was just so frustrated by the situation. by her husband's audacity. by the thought of her being taken advantage of. but seeing her like this. so vulnerable. it made his chest tighten in a completely different way.
"hey." his voice softened. but nina didn't look up.
she was too busy berating herself internally. she tried to summon the courage to apologize...to own up to her mistake. and to beg him not to hate her.
but before she could say a word. she felt it.
a warm, gentle hand stroking the top of her head. the motion was so unexpected. so tender. it froze her in place. her nose was runny as she slowly looked up. her teary eyes met kafka's.
he wasn't scowling anymore. the gloominess in his gaze had melted into something softer. something warmer. his lips curved into a small, lopsided smile as he continued to stroke her head. his touch was careful and reassuring.
and then finally he let out a soft chuckle. he tilted his head to the side as he looked at nina. "why do you look like you're about to cry, nina?" he teased. his voice was light and playful. though his eyes carried a flicker of concern. "come on. nina. it'd be so embarrassing if one of the neighborhood aunties saw the fierce nina tearing up behind the counter, so you better wipe those tears off your face."
nina sniffed. her hands brushed against her cheeks as if to prove she wasn't crying. though her watery eyes betrayed her. "i'm not crying." she stammered. her voice trembled slightly. "i-it's just...i don't like the idea of letting you down." she said to kafka's confusion.
her voice grew quieter as she continued to explain. her gaze dropped to the floor. "i know i'm not perfect, kafka. i make mistakes. i do things without thinking sometimes...and, well, i know no one really wants someone like me, which was the reason i got an arranged marriage and not one where i actually fell in love with someone before marrying them." she hesitated. her fingers nervously twisted into her thighs. she then looked up at kakfa with hopeful eyes and continued saying, "but...b-but you...you're willing to stay by my side. even when you don't have to. even when it's not easy and when you have so many better options out there waiting for you."
kafka's teasing smirk faded. replaced by a softer, more thoughtful expression. he stayed quiet. letting her speak. his posture shifting slightly to lean closer.
"and because of that..." nina went on. her voice cracking slightly. "i...i wanted to be better. i want to be the best version of myself for you. but then i go and do something stupid like this. and..." she swallowed hard. blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "...and i can't help but feel like i've disappointed you." find more chapters on empire
her words came out in a rush now. pouring from her as if a dam had broken. "i don't care what anyone else thinks of me. not my husband. not the aunties. no one. but you...you've been there for me. protecting me. believing in me. and if i let you down, kafka, i—" her voice hitched. and she stopped herself taking a shaky breath.
she turned her head slightly. not even glancing at her husband. who stood frozen. his expression caught between disbelief and anger.
for nina, in this moment. kafka was the only person who mattered. her husband's presence was nothing more than background noise...a shadow at the edge of her awareness.
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