Nolan suddenly felt cornered as he stood before Jolene, her curious gaze fixed upon him. She had just inquired about his name and he felt like she had inquired about his identity and he found himself unable to provide a straightforward answer.
The reason for this hesitation wasn't rooted in an inability to face her or disappointment that she didn't recognise him.
The dilemma he faced lay in the fact that he couldn't reveal his real name.
Since his decision to lead a low-profile life, he had kept his true identity a well-guarded secret.
And that was because Nolan faked his death.
Nolan had taken extensive measures to fake his own death, an elaborate ruse that involved strategic manipulation of the news sector.
As a result, the world believed he was no longer alive, allowing him to start anew in the shadow of his former self.
Now, standing before Jolene, the weight of his fabricated death and hidden identity bore down upon him.