Chapter 57

Valerie was also in a great mood. Just as she was about to enter, she noticed a lot of fruit and snack vendors outside.

She called out to Natalie, who was walking ahead, “Natalie, wait a second! There are so many food stalls over there. I’ll grab something.”

Natalie jogged back to her. “There are snacks?”

Valerie pointed to the stalls not far away with excitement. “Let’s go buy some peanuts, corn, and this season’s spring water. Look at those sweet peaches, cherries, and other fruits. Gosh, I love places like this!”

Dragging her suitcase, Valerie led the way over. They bought a pile of snacks before heading into the hotel.

After checking in, Natalie and Valerie took their luggage to the room they had booked in advance. Once they changed clothes, they headed to the hot springs.

The water in the hot springs flowed gently, and thin layers of steam drifted up from the pools, which were paved with smooth pebbles.

They chose the most expensive area, which was quieter and had private pools. There were small tables and trash bins beside each pool, perfect for setting down snacks and fruit.

Nearby, a few large trees cast dappled shadows over the water, and sunlight filtered through the branches, reflecting off the surface in shimmering patterns.

Natalie sat down and sighed in bliss. “Wow! Valerie, this feels amazing. My whole body feels so relaxed.”

Seeing how happy Natalie looked, Valerie felt relieved. Natalie was someone who could let things go easily, but sadly, she seemed destined to be hurt in love.

Sitting beside her, Valerie looked into Natalie’s eyes and asked, “Natalie, is Jennifer cheating on Easton?”

Natalie sneered. “He’s nothing but Jennifer’s second choice, acting all devoted. I’m not going to warn him. Jennifer is everything to him–he can’t live without her.”

“Even if the man Jennifer truly loves comes back, Easton would be willing to share her with him,” she added with a mocking grin.

Valerie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You knew it all along?”

A cold glint flashed in Natalie’s gaze. “More than just knowing. Valerie, I cried because of Easton before I came here. Can you believe that? And now, just thinking about him makes me sick.”

“I remember last month when I was sick, burning up with a fever. I asked him to take me to the hospital,” Natalie said. “I can handle a headache or fever myself; I just wanted him to care about me a little.”

“But then Jennifer called, and off he went. It’s not the first time it happened–it’s been countless times.” She smiled bitterly. “I went from loving him deeply to collecting enough disappointment, until I finally woke up.”

“My marriage with him was a complete disaster, so I won’t cling to it anymore. My grandpa really likes Maurice, so I think I’ll give him a chance,” Natalie said.

This time, she wouldn’t let herself get involved with Easton again.

She was determined to leave Easton and Jennifer to their mess. From now on, she was going to live freely and happily.

The man behind Jennifer was not that simple. In her previous life, Natalie had never seen him show up.

But in this life, many things had changed. Natalie was determined to find that man and make Easton taste the pain of being betrayed by the one he loved.

Valerie fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. “You and Maurice have a connection, but not the good kind.”

Natalie remained quiet. She didn’t want to go through another disastrous relationship.

“Valerie, in that case, I won’t get married. Once everything at my company is settled, I’ll leave this place and move somewhere else. That way, I can avoid everything,” Natalie had made up her mind.

Whether it was running away or leaving, she no longer wanted to have anything to do with the people who had hurt her in her past life.

Valerie knew Natalie would say this. She could see how emotionally drained she already was.

“Once everything is handled, I’ll take you on a trip,” Valerie said, her mind set on traveling the world.

“Sure, I’ll go with you. I know traveling the world is your dream, and I’ve wanted to do that too,” Natalie smiled. Valerie had mentioned this dream more than once before.

Not far away, Easton stood silently, listening to every word they said, although he didn’t catch the part about Jennifer’s infidelity.

When he heard that Natalie wanted to give Maurice a chance, the coldness in his eyes turned into malice.

‘Natalie, how dare you think of another man before our divorce? How could you plan to leave this place? How could you even imagine loving anyone but me?’ he thought.

Forty minutes later, Natalie and Valerie emerged from the hot springs. They returned to the rooms they had booked to rest.

Since each room was a single, Natalie had reserved two separate rooms for them to take a nap.

Nothing felt better than a relaxing soak followed by a good rest–it was the perfect way to spend the day.

Natalie had just lain down, hovering between sleep and wakefulness, when she heard the door creak open. Thinking it was Valerie, she murmured, “Valerie, I’m almost asleep. What did you forget this time?”

No response.

Easton stood there, watching her. She lay on the bed in her pajamas, her soft, flawless skin glowing under the dim light. Her figure was sleek and toned, radiating an effortless allure.

He had always known Natalie was beautiful, but her serene, drowsy expression captivated him more than ever.

With her eyes closed, the coldness she often carried seemed to melt away. Her long, curled lashes rested lightly like feathers on her eyelids, adding a delicate charm to her face.

Her slightly parted lips were soft and inviting, a subtle pink that stirred something dark within him.

Easton’s breath hitched. Desire flickered inside him.

Meanwhile, Natalie didn’t hear Valerie’s answer. Instead, she sensed a wave of danger creeping close.

Her eyes snapped open. Seeing Easton standing there, she bolted upright and yanked the blanket around her, covering herself.

“Easton, what are you doing here?” She stared at him warily.

Easton exuded a unique aura–calm and unruffled, yet sharp and quietly intense. His deep–set eyes seemed as if they could see through everything.

Noticing the guarded look in her eyes, a faint, seductive smile appeared on his lips. “Natalie, you’re my wife. Am I not allowed to enter your room?” His tone carried a hint of teasing.

Natalie let out an angry laugh. She always felt powerless when facing Easton. ‘Did he really forget how he had hurt me in the private room?’

“Easton, I know you’re skilled at playing with emotions, treating love like a game, and leaving those who truly care about you utterly broken. So please, don’t appear in front of me again,” Natalie said.

“Leave now. If Jennifer finds out you came to see me alone, who knows what she’ll say to slander me, how she’ll insult me,” she continued, her voice serious.

Easton stepped closer to her, his presence cold and oppressive, surrounding her like a suffocating cloud. Natalie’s expression darkened slightly, and she instinctively leaned back.

“I’ll call Jennifer right now and tell her you’re here, so she can come take you away,” Natalie declared, reaching for her phone on the bedside table, but Easton stopped her.

He seized her wrist, his gaze dark and intense. “Natalie, are you trying to push me to another woman?”

The words filled Natalie with disgust. Anger surged through her, and she snapped. “Let go of me! You make me sick!”