Nathan was so young, so vibrant-how could he just give up his life so easily?

    A promise?

    What promise?

    Something clicked in Nathalie''s mind. She rushed to the floor-to-ceiling window and peered down. Nathan stood there in his white pajamas, still as a statue in the soft morning light.

    He looked up and smiled at her, gentle and content, as if he had no regrets.

    Tears streamed down Nathalie''s cheeks. She shook her head over and over, her voice cracking. "Nathan,e back! Please,e back!"

    But Nathan didn''t budge.

    Panicked, she tore down the stairs, chest heaving by the time she reached him. Bent over and gasping for air, she pleaded, "Nathan, your body''s still warm- please, just go back! Do you know how devastated your parents would be if you left like this?"

    Still, Nathan said nothing. He simply lifted his hand and drew a circle in the air. Light spun and gathered, slowly forming a shimmering mirror. Nathalie stared as the mirror showed a little boy curled up in a cluttered storage room, blood soaking his white shorts-so much blood, it was clear something awful had happened.

    A sleazy man appeared in the scene, holding a twisted toy meant for some sick pleasure. He crept closer, wearing a leering, ugly smile.

    "You stubborn brat," he hissed. "You won''t admit you''re the Rond family''s only son? Fine. Just look at you, prettier than most girls. If I handed you over to those rich perverts, I''d make a fortune. But first, you''re going to entertain me..."

    And with that, the man lunged.

    ...

    Nathalie''s eyes went wide. Her whole body shook in horror. "No..." she whimpered, her voice breaking apart. "Please, don''t!"

    It was like someone had ripped open her mind, sweeping away all the dust and cobwebs-suddenly,

    memories rushed in from

    direction. Nathalie dropped to knees, clutching her head as pain shot through her.

    She remembered.

    Her connection with Nathan was like rain soaking straight into her bones- impossible to shake off, impossible to forget.

    She remembered carrying that

    unconscious little boy home on her back. She was barely more than a child herself, just trying to save someone from the darkness. She had no idea how to take care of him.

    When he finally woke, the first thing she asked was, "Do you remember your family? Do you have their phone number? I can help you find your parents, okay?"

    A tiny hand tugged at her sleeve. "Please don''t leave me," he said, his voice trembling.

    He was so small, so painfully thin. But his eyes-ck and bright as polished stone-were filled with pure trust, shining brighter than any star.

    She didn''t know what to do. She was just a scared kid, lost and clueless, but she wanted to do something good. She just wanted to give this little boy a sense of safety

    So, she made a promise. "Don''t worry, little brother. I won''t leave you behind. Until your family finds you, I''ll protect you."

    She had no idea what kind of enemy she was up against. She couldn''t have guessed that the boy she rescued was the heir to a billion-dor empire.

    All she had was a kind heart and a simple wish to save someone. She never imagined that her good deed would bring so much trouble crashing into her own life.