Reborn From Oblivion

His plan was straightforward: make sure Morris enjoyed every moment of his life.

When Nathalie walked through the door, she found her dad in the kitchen, sweating like he was in a sauna. She grabbed a napkin and gently wiped his forehead.

"Wow, you're really laying it on thick. What do you want from me?" Lincoln teased

with a grin.

Nathalie, with a mischievous glint in her eye, asked, "Dad, did you pass my message to Nathan?"

"What message?" Lincoln pretended not to know.

Oh, he knew alright. It was her heartfelt confession to Morris. He was well aware that Morris loved her just as much. But they couldn't be together, and Lincoln couldn't bear to give his daughter false hope.noveldrama

Nathalie looked at him, feeling let down.

"Oh, my terrible memory! I totally forgot," Lincoln said, slapping his thigh as if he'd just remembered.

Nathalie's face fell. "How could you forget something so important?"

"Blame it on my midlife crisis, darling. My memory's not what it used to be. Next time, Viv, I'll jot it down and make sure it doesn't slip my mind again," Lincoln said, pretending to be busy. He picked up a spatula and made a fuss in the frying pan, causing a noisy clatter.

With no help from her dad, Nathalie decided to be brave on her own.

She headed upstairs and deliberately stopped by Morris's room. She knocked, and Morris opened the door almost instantly.

"Nathalie, off work already?"

Suddenly, Nathalie took his hand, acting cute and playful. "Nathan, I don't want you to leave me. Please, don't go."

Morris was most defenseless against her charms; he had no resistance to Nathalie's playful antics.

"Then how about I stay a few more days?"

"A few days? No way," Nathalie protested.

"Then a few months?" Morris suggested with a sly smile.

Nathalie shook her head vigorously.

Morris cleverly changed the subject, "Nathalie, I'm starving. Let's have dinner. Your dad said you worked hard today, and he's cooking a feast to reward you."

Nathalie, ever so naive, fell for it easily, "He's not doing it for me. He feels guilty towards you and is too embarrassed to apologize directly, so he's expressing it through firs cooking

Morris chuckled, "Your dad is adorable."

Internally, Morris was relieved. If Nathalie kept questioning his plans, he might just crumble.

"Nathan, wait for me a moment." Nathalie put away her work files in the study and then bounded back, pushing Morris downstairs.

At the dinner table, a splendid feast awaited them. There were dishes inspired by cuisines from various regions, featuring land and sea.

animat those that crawled, walked,

and flew enough

make one's

head spin.

"Dad, since when were you such a great cook?" Nathalie stuck out her tongue playfully, teasing her father.

Lincoln puffed up with pride, "Viv, I'm not bragging, but with a natural IQ like mine, learning anything is a breeze. These dishes? Just watched a video tutorial once, and I could make them."

Morris, however, wore a knowing smile.

He gazed deeply at Nathalie,

marveling at the power of genetics. Nathalie also loved to dabble in the kitchen, experimenting with all sorts of dishes. Unfortunately, while they looked great, the taste oftendeft much to be desired.

Morris was certain Lincoln's spread was likely either overly salty or bland.

"Nathan, Viv, you two sit and start eating. I'll be right back with the last dish," Lincoln called out as he headed back to the kitchen.