She meant a lot to him. A lot. He didn't want to lose her.

Nathalia sighed, "Ok. What do you really mean by 'stay for you' then?"

​​

Spencer hesitated, and finally, he said, not without difficulty, "Give me some more time, please. I need to solve some... my mum is..." But he couldn't continue. It was the biggest secret in the Davidson family.

Nathalia couldn't bear to see the pain in his face. She turned her head away and finished his words, "sick." She had realized that Spencer's mother had a mental illness, though she had no idea if she was born with it or it happened to her later on in life. But it didn't matter. For the Davidsons, it was definitely not something they would want the public to know. No wonder people said Mrs. Davidson had been the biggest mystery.

It mustn't be easy for Spencer either. There's a lot he needs to deal with. Life's not easy for everyone. Nathalia thought. She did not blame him or hate him.

They were two souls brought together by love, but fate didn't allow it to last long. At least not now.

Spencer felt a sharp pain. He couldn't digest the word Nathalia said. "Nathalia..." He wanted to tell her how painful it was for him, how much he'd been struggling, but he swallowed it all. As a man, the perfect Spencer Davidson, he refused to show his weakness, shed tears, and reveal his pain.

"Yes. My mum is sick. I can't change that. But she's a good woman. We can try to help her understand us, so we can be together. For me, can you do it?" He dropped his pride. He was almost pleading with her. This was the last chance he had to fight for her and himself. He knew it would be the biggest regret if he lost her.

His soft and pleading tone touched Nathalia's heart, and she almost gave in, but then the hideous faces of the Carters appeared in her head, and this time she followed her mind.

She closed her eyes, and in a helpless tone, she said, "I'm sorry, but I don't have the time for that."

The word 'sorry' stabbed Spencer's heart as it did to Nathalia's.

"Nathalia, do you only love me this much? Won't you even try? For me?"

Nathalia's heart was aching so much as if it was grabbed tight by a giant metal claw. She pressed her hand on it. "If my mum was still alive, even if she was sick, I would be extremely grateful, and I would do anything for her, anything. I would protect her and love her with my whole life. But, the fact is that 'mother' is just a title, a word, to me. I've never felt the love from my mum."

Tears quickly filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. "However, if she was alive, if she was, I'm sure she would be a great mother, and she would love me, really love me. You see, I don't have the chance to be loved by my mother, but you do. Fortune, fame, anything, is nothing compared to your mother who loves you the most..." she started to sob and couldn't say anything anymore.

Spencer watched her, his heart aching. She never cried. She's always the brave one, the tough one. She always shows others her brightest smile, be them her friends or her enemies. But now, she's crying. How much pain is she suffering from?

Was she crying because of him?

He wanted to feel her, to wipe the tears off her face, but Nathalia turned her face away, and she did it herself. She was the tough self again.

Couldn't she be like other girls? To soften and be a little bit dependent on others? To let others help? But that would not be Nathalia Carter, the proud, wild, smart, and independent Nathalia.

He felt so much love towards her. He wanted to comfort her, protect her. "There's no contradiction here. She loves me, and one day she will understand and respect my choice. I, we, just need to give her some time..."

For the very first time in his life, he fell for a girl; he wanted to protect her; he wanted to keep her to himself. The first time. All for Nathalia.

Nathalia didn't know how to feel anymore. There were tears in her eyes. But her mind had been made up.

"Why should I wait? Why should I stay here and wait for you? Everyone can live without anyone. Goodbye."

She had to leave because she loved him.

Carrying the suitcase, she dragged herself forward. Every step was so heavy.

Spencer stared at the back of Nathalia, watched every step she took and felt a sudden panic. He ran after her and hugged her from behind. "Nathalia, please, wait..."

Nathalia's body froze, her heart racing. What for? Silly Spencer. What for?

He was not the usual Spencer Davidson anyone perceived. He had abandoned all his pride and surrendered to the love he felt for her.

"Who is more important to you, me, or your mum?" Nathalia asked plainly. She felt his hands tremble. Silence.

Then Nathalia continued, "When we can already see the end of something, to leave and let go is the best way to deal with it. There is no point waiting for the end to come. You end it. Spencer Davidson, you are feeling hurt simply because I've hurt your pride by choosing to leave first. Think about it. We've only known each other for a short time. How much attachment can there be? To force yourself to stay with someone you know, that's not for you will only bring more pain. Take care."

Every word she uttered, she said it with her heart aching. They hurt Spencer as much as they hurt her, but she didn't have a choice. She had to end this.

Spencer's face went pale. He shook his head, furiously. It's not true. What she said is not true. Why is she saying these words to hurt herself and me? She's doing it again.

So many thoughts and words were flowing in his head, but when he finally said something, it came out wrong. "You are going to Matt's place? I don't allow you. He has a motive. He wants something from you. There's a past between us, and you don't know. He's doing it on purpose."

Changing the subject didn't really help, but Nathalia cooperated and went along, "Let go of me, Spencer Davidson. Why does it matter to you where I go? Why? Do you think I'm just some stupid girl that allows others to take advantage of me?"

Spencer regretted saying what he said, but he refused to let go. "That's not what I mean..."

Nathalia lifted her chin up and swallowed her tears back. "I've made it very clear. Don't make me despise you. Anyway, you can have as many women as you want..." She was saying it on purpose, making it sound harsh and mean.

This time, Spencer was really hurt. "Yes, you are right. I don't have to have you. I can have as many women as I want..."

Suddenly, Nathalia stomped at Spencer's foot, and Spencer let go of her out of the sudden pain. "Ouch!"

Nathalia quickly ran for the door. "Thanks for sheltering me for the past month. I'm very grateful. Goodbye." She didn't turn around to take another look at him.

Spencer couldn't see the expression on her face, but he heard the icy tone in her words. "Have you ever loved me?" He asked.