Chapter 54

Natalie heard her phone ring. She sniffled, wiped her tears, and forced a smile before answering. “James,” she answered, her voice choked with emotion.

“Natalie, what happened? Who made you cry?” James asked, his tone filled with concern.

At that moment, Natalie just wanted to let her guard down completely. She had a brother, after all, someone she could turn to for comfort.

“James, I feel awful. My life is such a mess—cruel family, falling for a heartless jerk,” she said. “I want to leave this place. Even the air here is disgusting, especially when I see Easton with Jennifer. Just the sight of them makes it feel like even the air is tainted.”

“Easton is such a bastard. I’ll make sure they understand what it costs to lie,” James said, still very angry.

Natalie continued, “I still remember when he was bedridden, blind, and Jennifer ran off to another country with some guy because she didn’t want to marry him. It was I who spent 30 million dollars, used every rare herb I could find, and spent a year curing him.”

“And in return, all I got was his baseless cruelty. James, how did I end up involved with someone like that?” she complained.

“Where are you right now?” James asked.

Natalie’s sobs had stopped, and she managed a small smile. “Talking to you has helped. I’ll be fine now. Besides, you and Valerie are all I have.”

“Silly girl,” James replied affectionately. “Didn’t I tell you? We’re your real family. Whatever it is, you come to us first. Don’t waste your tears on people who don’t deserve it. You’re already amazing, Natalie—you light up the world around you.”

“Now, no more crying. I’m heading home tonight anyway, and I was calling to ask what you’d like for dinner. I’ll bring whatever you want,” he added, his tone full of warmth.

Natalie smiled, her heart warming. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “Bring me fried chicken. And get some shrimp for Valerie—she’ll be staying with us for a while.”

Hearing the steadiness return to her voice, James felt relieved. “Okay! I’ll be home at 6 P.M. Now, go get some rest, and no more tears over Easton. He’s not worth it.”

“Right! I know he isn’t worth my tears. See you later, James!” she replied, smiling before hanging up.

A good cry really did help. Natalie took out a wet wipe, cleaned the tear stains from her face, and then wiped her wet eyelashes.

She took a deep breath and felt considerably lighter. Standing up, she made her way down the stairs, hoping that by the time she reached the ground floor, there’d be no traces of her crying left, so Valerie wouldn’t worry.

What she didn’t see was Easton, standing just out of sight.

Her words echoed in his mind like a thunderclap. He couldn’t believe that it had been Natalie who saved him years ago, and Jennifer had actually left him for another man.

A stormy expression shadowed Easton’s face as he stood in the dim stairwell, his features obscured but shrouded in an unmistakable darkness.

His fists clenched tightly, his heart pounding with anger, shock—and something else.

It turned out that she knew the truth.

Downstairs, Wendy had already stepped out the door, anxiously looking around for Natalie, only to spot her emerging with reddened eyes.

Wendy rushed over, words tumbling out in haste. “Natalie, I… earlier, I…”

“There’s no need to explain,” Natalie interrupted coldly. “Think of me however you wish. Just don’t call me again. If you ever find anything against me, go straight to the police. I will never see you again.”

“Once was enough for you to flaunt your ‘superiority’ by stepping all over my existence.” Natalie’s tone was steely. She didn’t give Wendy a chance to speak and walked away.

Natalie wondered if Wendy even saw her as her own daughter when she spoke those harsh words.

Wendy tried to catch up, calling after her, but Natalie walked fast. “Natalie, listen, let me explain… about what happened earlier…”

“I already told you there’s nothing to explain,” Natalie replied, her voice colder still. “Think whatever you want. Jennifer is perfect to you, isn’t she?”

“Not once have I competed with her. In your eyes, I’m always wrong, no matter what I do,” she continued, refusing to listen to Wendy’s explanation.

“And I already signed the disownment papers. I’ve paid for my own living expenses this past year. Tell me if there’s anything else I owe you; I’ll settle it all at once,” Natalie said firmly.

Wendy, trembling and staring into her daughter’s anguished gaze, opened her mouth but couldn’t speak.

“Oh, and as for any financial support I owe you, you’re welcome to take me to court when you turn sixty,” Natalie added. “Whatever the court orders, I’ll pay.”

“Natalie, that’s not what I meant…” Wendy began, but Natalie turned away, stepping into a luxury car parked by the curb.

Just then, Easton walked out, running into Jennifer.

Seeing Natalie leave in a luxury car, Jennifer’s face twisted with jealousy. “Mom, Easton, how is Natalie getting around in such a fancy car? She must be desperate enough now to… let’s just say, resort to questionable means.”

Wendy, still reeling, snapped, “Jennifer, be quiet! She ended up like this because of you!”

“From the moment you returned, Easton’s been planning the divorce. She signed the papers and left, yet you still twist the truth to slander her?” she yelled at Jennifer.

Jennifer gaped, looking at Wendy in astonishment. She couldn’t believe that Wendy was actually defending Natalie.

“Mom, I… I was only worried about Natalie. After all, she’s also your daughter,” Jennifer stammered, trying to cover herself.

Wendy, however, said nothing. She only looked deeply at Easton, realizing he had sided with Jennifer in setting Natalie up. She shouldn’t have trusted Easton.

Suddenly, Wendy had a feeling that she was completely alone. She remembered Natalie had said that Jennifer was Nick’s daughter with his mistress.

Wendy decided she would investigate this herself—this time, she’d get to the truth on her own.

With a cold, unflinching stare, Wendy looked at Easton. “Easton, do you know that one lie can cause you to lose someone forever?”

Her gaze sent a chill through Easton, and he feared that Wendy might never accept him as her son-in-law again.

Thinking back to what Natalie had said, Easton felt an ache that left him breathless.

He had only been so angry because, while Natalie was still married to him, she had gone on a date—and with Maurice, no less.

Jennifer watched Wendy’s retreating figure, a wave of panic rising within her. She wondered if Wendy had overheard her conversation with Easton.

A sense of unease gnawed at her; she knew that once a lie was exposed, it became a trap, each lie demanding dozens more to cover it, possibly for a lifetime.

As she stood there, lost in worry, Easton’s voice cut through her thoughts.

“Jennifer, you’ve truly disappointed me. Go get lunch by yourself,” he said icily.

Jennifer froze, startled by his tone. Taking a deep breath, she caught up with him, casting him a nervous look. “Easton, I was just kidding. Are you really mad at me?”