Chapter 52

Natalie felt frustrated. Easton still hadn’t completed the final steps of their divorce. She cursed him in her mind. He was the one who had wanted the divorce, yet he hadn’t bothered to finalize it.

“There is one annoying issue,” Natalie sighed. “Even though we both signed the divorce agreement, Easton hasn’t finished the final procedures. Legally, I’m still his wife.”

Valerie was furious. After a moment’s thought, she suggested, “You can file for divorce yourself. He was the one who cheated first, and on top of that, he’s kept your marriage a secret from others. That’s entirely his fault.”

“It’s not like you have anything to hide. Why should you stay married to a man who won’t even admit he’s married to you?” Valerie puffed up her cheeks in anger, looking adorably fierce.

Seeing Valerie’s fierce expression, Natalie feigned a light sport. “Don’t worry, he’ll get the divorce. He and Jennifer grew up together; he won’t let her stay in the shadows as the ‘other woman.’ If I can’t end the marriage, Jennifer certainly has enough ways to make him divorce me.”

With hurt trained inward, Natalie stopped worrying and returned to her tea, finishing off five more ravioli. After a filling breakfast, the two of them took a stroll around the garden, then prepared to head to the hot spring resort for a relaxing bath.

Later, Natalie received yet another call from Wendy and was curious about what Wendy wanted after so many calls.

“Valerie, Wendy wants to see me. I’ll go quickly, and afterward, we can go right to the hot spring resort,” she said.

Valerie looked at her questioningly. “Such a busy week,” Natalie lamented. “My stressful meetings!”

Valerie’s eyes filled with anger. “Hand the wine over to your sister! With your sisters putting you through so much, why can’t they just leave you alone?”

Valerie had met Natalie’s biological mother, who had made a terrible impression. Aside from Jennifer’s sake, to Valerie, Wendy didn’t deserve the title of “mother.”

“Done with grumbling.” Valerie was eager to change, and the two drove to the winged meeting place.

Wendy lived under and so on at a small mansion - Easton’s mansion. Valerie waited in the car while Natalie went up alone.

When Natalie arrived at the private room, Wendy was already there. Natalie walked inside and welcomed her.

Wendy, as always, looked polished and glamorous. She had been a beauty in her youth, and now, sitting with her daughter, they could almost be….

Seeing Natalie looking well and dressed beautifully, Wendy's expression was inexplicably bitter. When Natalie remained silent, Wendy broke the ice.

“Wendy…” Natalie started casually, “Your past has nothing to do with you. Whether I have a joke or not is also none of your concern. I won’t be asking you for a single cut, so you can stop worrying.”

Wendy bristled with anger, then inhaled and wound up near tears. “Do you have to be so cold toward me? I’m your mother!”

Natalie’s frown deepened. Seeing the impatience in her eyes, her voice grew even colder. “If you brought me here to discuss trivial matters, I’ll be…”

“Going anyway?” Wendy finished, wounded. “You’re really an ungrateful, heartless girl!”

Natalie frowned. “After all this time, Wendy, did you ever raise me for a single day? When I lived in the Simpson family, every piece of clothing I wore was Jennifer’s hand-me-downs. You spent tens of thousands on her wardrobe, while I wore bare cast-offs.”

She continued, “I didn’t take a single thing with me. How much do you think I’ve spent during the year I lived in your house? Let me know the amount, and I'll transfer the money to you.”

A look of sickening guilt flickered in her eyes; she had swiftly forgotten Natalie had been wearing Jennifer’s hand-me-downs.

Wendy’s pride shifted, modulating.

Seeing her look away, Natalie continued, “Wendy, I was just a girl who grew up amid toes, lacked qualifications, without gait. I wondered if I dreamed of being part of your way.”

“Is there anything else?” Natalie asked, looking down as she transferred $30,000 to Wendy.

Wendy had intended to talk about last night, but when she saw the transfer notification, her heart raced. “Natalie, I told you we’re family. You’re my daughter. Do you really think I’d ask you to pay me back for a year’s worth of meals?”

Her chest rose and fell in anger. She felt torn. She did want to love her biological daughter, but Natalie constantly caused trouble, especially with Jennifer.

Natalie even went so far as to undermine her relationship with Nick–something that hurt Wendy deeply. Sometimes she was mean to Natalie, but only because Natalie disappointed her too much.

“Well, I’m sorry,” Natalie’s tone was still careless. “One year, including room and board—$30,000 should be more than enough. From this moment on, I owe you nothing.”

“When you looked down on me, did you ever think about why I was switched at birth?” she continued. “If I’d grown up by your side, I would have been just as successful. But you never thought about that, so don’t feel disappointed, because you don’t deserve to!”

“Oh, and even though you didn’t raise me, I still became someone exceptional—someone far beyond your reach,” Natalie added.

Wendy felt a pang in her chest as she looked into Natalie’s cold gaze, her anger rising. “Natalie, you say I’m unfit to be a mother—do you think you’re any better as a daughter? Why do you constantly cause trouble? Last night, you stole Jennifer’s credit.”

“She and Easton grew up together, but you don’t even share feelings with him. You two are divorced, so why are you still lingering around Easton, clinging to him?” Wendy demanded.

“Are you that obsessed with competing with Jennifer?” she shook her head. “If you had a shred of decency, you wouldn’t act this way. Why are you always after what belongs to Jennifer?”

A sharp pain stabbed at Natalie’s heart; it turned out this was Wendy’s real purpose today—to interrogate her.

Without a word, Natalie pulled up Easton’s number from her blocked contacts and dialed him.

“Natalie…” Easton’s voice sounded surprised.

“Where are you?” she asked bluntly.

Easton was taken aback that she called. He thought perhaps Natalie was ready to make amends, to come back. Hearing her icy tone, he replied, “I’m meeting a client at the club.”

Of course, she knew he preferred conducting his business here. “Come to Room 402,” Natalie instructed before hanging up.

Wendy frowned. “Who did you call?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Natalie replied, her voice cold. “I’ve told you before: I won’t let you bully me anymore, nor will I let you falsely accuse me.”

She was determined to make Easton finalize the divorce. This time, she’d sever any connection with him for good.

Easton had just finished his meeting. Reminded of how he’d wronged Natalie twice, he decided to give her a chance and see what she wanted.

As they sat in silence, Natalie lowered her gaze. Wendy grew increasingly uneasy, wondering if she had wronged Natalie yet again.