Was she revisiting their old conversations?


    Nathan thought about it.


    He noticed the messages from his time at the border—discussions about roasting a wild rabbit and sleeping in a tent.


    She seemed to be checking if he had ever mentioned the girl who pursued him.


    Holding his breath, Nathan reached for the washboard in the wardrobe.


    As he pulled out the long-stored washboard, Lucinda looked up casually and asked, “What are you doing?”


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    “I hid something from you about the border.


    I made a mistake, so I need to atone,” Nathan confessed.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Don’t.


    ” She gestured to the space on the bed before her.


    Though she was upset and even angry, she thought the washboard was too harsh; she worried it might hurt his knees.


    Understanding her concern, Nathan dutifully knelt in front of her on the floor, maintaining an upright posture.


    As they locked eyes, Lucinda began her inquiry, “First off, why didn’t you bring this up since you got back?”


    “We were swamped right after I returned.


    It was one thing after another-Ronan, grandpa, then dealing with Valerie’s issue.


    I intended to tell you when things settled down, but I never expected Sonny would spill it tonight,” Nathan exined.


    Lucinda’s frown deepened as she held up her phone to show him their chat history.


    “Look at this.


    You’ve been messaging me almost daily since you went to the border, yet you never once mentioned this girl who’s interested in you.


    Were you intentionally keeping it from me?”


    Nathan tensed and admitted, “I was afraid you’d be upset if you knew, so I didn’t dare tell you.


    But I assure you, there’s nothing between that girl and me.


    ”


    Lucinda, struggling to understand his reasoning, countered, “If you had told me from the start, I might not have been upset.


    But finding out from Sonny and seeing your reluctance to talk about it only makes me angrier.


    It feels like you’re hiding something and entertaining the attention of other women.


    ”


    Nathan, visibly shaken, replied, “Honey, I haven’t been flirting.


    The girl’s feelings are entirely one-sided.


    I’ve acted honorably throughout and have not reciprocated.


    I can’t exin her interest in me.


    ”


    He now deeply regretted not sharing the incident sooner.


    Any further exnation seemed futile, as if he were merely trying to obscure the truth.


    “I shouldn’t have kept this from you, but I haven’t been unfaithful to you.


    Perhaps… Perhaps you should punish me, so you might feel better.


    ”


    Lucinda smiled slightly.


    “Well, you are the head of the National Security Bureau, the leader of the Payne family.


    It would be wrong of me to punish you.


    ”


    Her tone was light, but then she reached behind her and produced a redwood ruler.


    Nathan was shocked.


    It appeared she had prepared for this moment, anticipating that he might eventually request punishment on his own