Chapter 1
Christmas Eve, a night meant for celebration, turned into a nightmare for Natalie Shawn. Kidnapped alongside her husband’s mistress, Jennifer Simpson, she was left to her fate while her family chose to save Jennifer. Easton Garcia, the man she loved, pushed her down the stairs, ending her life and that of her unborn child.
As her soul watched her own lifeless body, Natalie found herself laughing at the irony. The family she had defended so fiercely wanted her gone. In the days leading to her death, Natalie’s brothers sacrificed her for Jennifer’s sake: her face disfigured, her arms broken, her body wracked with poison, and her legs shattered. Each brutal act was to ensure Jennifer’s survival.
Natalie had been four months pregnant when her husband, in a moment of desperation to save Jennifer, pushed her down the stairs. Dead and unrecognizable, she felt a strange sense of relief, as if she was finally free. Her soul lingered, watching over her family for decades, until Easton’s death finally brought her peace and the chance to move on.
For ages, Natalie’s spirit had been adrift, unable to find peace. But after Easton’s death, her lingering anger started to dissipate. With a final glance at Easton’s photo, she was about to step into the light of release when she was abruptly pulled back to her old life.
Jolting awake, Natalie gasped, her hands reaching out to grasp the emptiness around her.
“Natalie, stop pretending and get up. How could you kidnap Jennifer? Are you crazy?” Easton’s cold voice demanded from above her.
Her eyes flew open, and she stared at the man she’d thought she’d seen die. ‘Easton? What’s going on? Am I seeing things?” she thought.
“Natalie, how could you be so cruel as to kidnap Jennifer? I really regret marrying you. Stop faking and sign these divorce papers.” Easton’s anger was palpable.
“Since you’ve taken care of me for two years, I won’t press charges. But it’s over between us,” he added.
“Divorce?” Natalie echoed, her mind still reeling as she looked around the familiar room.
She found herself back at Jennifer’s birthday party, the scene of her false kidnapping accusation, where Easton had handed her divorce papers, and the Simpsons had officially disowned her. Head over heels for Easton, the man she’d pulled back from death’s door, Natalie had hesitated to sign away their marriage. That hesitation led to a sad ending–she could still see him pushing her down the stairs, four months into her pregnancy.
Natalie had been dear to her grandfather Lambert Shawn, and she vividly remembered the despair on his face when he found her lifeless. Calling her a failure was harsh, especially coming from someone who’d always been kind to her, and it showed just how much he had loved her.
In this second chance, Natalie learned a harsh lesson: love wasn’t enough to earn respect. Resolved not to be swayed by Easton’s charm, she aimed to amass wealth this time around. With a fresh start, Natalie vowed to leave her emotional turmoil behind. She was determined to face challenges directly and get even with those who had hurt her.
As Natalie was lost in these thoughts, her father’s rage shattered the silence. “Natalie, you’re not welcome in our family. We’re done with you. Sign these papers and leave.”
Glancing at her father with the disownment papers, Jennifer’s dramatic sobs, her mother’s bitterness, and her brothers’ seething anger filled the room. Natalie felt a strange sense of relief. With a wry smile, she faced her father and said, “I’ll sign.”