Natalie took a deep breath, meeting Ethan's calm gaze. For the first time, she took the initiative to reach out and hold his hand, but there was no seductive intent—just sincerity as she said, “I know you’re still intrigued by me, and we’re in sync, so you’re willing to help me. But those gestures make me feel like I owe you, and you don’t know what I heard today…”
She paused for a moment, then continued, “I heard that you made such a big concession to Quentin just to return a favor for me. Those astronomical numbers, I can’t even get that much in game coins. Maybe to you it doesn’t matter, but to me, it makes me feel inferior. I end up trying to please you, trying to make you happy, and I lose myself in the process. That scares me. I can’t face you without this burden. Do you understand
