Chapter 4
Natalie’s laughter was a sad echo in the air as she looked at Easton, her eyes pooling with tears. “Two years together, and that’s all I am to you? Just some snake? You’d still back Jennifer even when she’s lying her ass off?”
She gestured at the evidence, her voice shaky. “The truth is right here, and you’re still not buying it. What more do I have to say?”
Easton was speechless, gazing into her sorrowful eyes, as if being his wife was her greatest regret.
Standing alone, she was framed by the garden’s crisp air and the faint light from the distant screen. The wind tousled her skirt and hair, but her heartbroken look stole the scene.
Easton sensed a shift in her, a new resolve in her eyes.
Natalie’s voice dripped with scorn. “Easton, you can’t face the truth, can you?” Her words hit him like daggers.
Just then, the cops showed up with two guys, and the room’s buzz turned into a roar. The Garcia and Simpson families were the town’s favorite soap opera.
The men pointed at Linda, claiming she’d bribed them. “She paid me, officer, and I’ve got the proof.”
Linda, already stressed with high blood pressure, nearly collapsed when she saw the police. “It was all me,” she confessed, her voice shaking. “I did it. Please, take me in.”
Natalie looked at Linda with a furrowed brow, confused about her defense of Jennifer. Natalie had planned this just for a clean break.
Playing dumb, Natalie questioned, “Linda, I’ve never wronged you. Why are you doing this to me?”
Linda hesitated, sensing a transformation in Natalie. “Natalie, blame your own bad luck. I acted out of my own dislike for you. Your husband doesn’t love you, your brothers hate you. I just wanted to save this family from you. You’re a jinx.”
Natalie smiled bitterly, feeling the staff’s disdain, a stark reminder of how low her life had sunk. But she vowed to live for herself now, never to be hurt again.
She knew it was time to move on. She’d wasted her life on a man who didn’t deserve it, but no more. She’d watch this family crumble from afar.
‘Natalie, you’ve been such a fool, blinded by love. But luckily, you’ve got the chance to begin anew,’ she thought to herself. With a sweet smile, Natalie told the officers, “Talk to my lawyer. He’s on his way.” Turning to Wendy Simpson, her mother, she murmured, “You’re giving up your own daughter for your husband’s illegitimate child. This should be interesting.” Then, Natalie walked away.
Jennifer wasn’t adopted; she was actually Nick’s illegitimate daughter. He had brought her in to replace Natalie, a secret Natalie had figured out during her spirit’s wanderings.
Wendy watched Natalie leave, her eyes widening in shock.
Easton stared in disbelief as Natalie left without a backward glance. Turning to Jennifer, he found her panicked.
“Easton, I don’t know anything, I swear,” she insisted. With Linda shouldering the blame, she was set to play innocent. As Easton approached, the stress overwhelmed her, and she fainted.
“Jennifer!” Easton caught her and hurried out.
Outside the villa, Easton spotted Natalie, dignified and resolute, sliding into a sleek luxury car. He sprinted after her, but the car accelerated, dust swirling in its wake, leaving him standing alone.