Chapter 76

Natalie stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him, thinking, ‘He sounded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I was right about him—he brought me back for nothing more than to be his maid.’

She sneered, “What does whether you eat or not have to do with me? I’ve already eaten.”

After saying that, she was about to leave.

Easton’s cold voice echoed behind her. “Natalie, get down here and make me dinner. I want beef and potato pottage. If I don’t get it tonight, your company will go bankrupt by tomorrow.”

Natalie took a deep breath.

She thought, ‘Damn it, this bastard has finally found a way to threaten me. Even after being given a second shot at life and signing the divorce papers, I still can’t cut ties with him.’

“Fine, just wait,” Natalie snapped, stomping upstairs while thinking of how to get herself out of this mess.

She thought, ‘It’s not the right time to go head-to-head with Easton. Jennifer will get rid of him eventually. So I’ll just play along and wait. It’s just a meal. I’ve cooked for him plenty of times before.’

Natalie went to the room she used to stay in. Everything was just as she had left it.

This was her first time back since she’d been transported from the future, yet she felt no attachment to the place.

She had already moved on after being overwhelmed by despair, so this place and everything else no longer stirred any emotion in her.

She went to the closet, picked out something more comfortable to wear, and changed into a pair of comfy shoes. Then, she sent a message to her grandfather and brother. [Grandpa, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I’ll be home soon.]

Lambert replied: [Is that brat Easton giving you a hard time?]

Natalie texted: [Grandpa, he won’t be able to do it anymore. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself.]

James replied: [If anything happens, call me.]

Natalie texted: [I will! If there’s trouble, you’ll be the first one I call.]

Smiling, she slipped her phone into her pocket, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs.

Without so much as a glance at Easton, she made her way straight to the kitchen.

Easton hated having outsiders around, so usually, it was just the two of them in the house, but most of the time, she was the only one there.

She was very familiar with this place.

She found the ingredients in the fridge, prepared them, and set the soup to simmer. She also cooked some spaghetti for Easton.

Easton sat on the couch, going over some documents, occasionally glancing up at the kitchen.

Watching Natalie move around in the warm light of the kitchen made him feel at ease.

Forty minutes later, Natalie had prepared three dishes and a soup.

When Easton saw that she had finished making dinner, he got up and went to eat without being told.

Natalie crouched to grab her cup from the cabinet, but it slipped from her grip, crashed to the ground, and shattered. The image of her smiling face on it was now in pieces.

Natalie felt a strange pang in her heart. This was one of the matching mugs she had custom-made.

She and Easton each had one.

Easton walked over and saw the broken mug, bearing Natalie’s photo.

“What’s this?” he asked, crouching down to take a closer look.

Then he reached into the cabinet and pulled out an identical mug—the one with his photo on it.

He was stunned and looked at Natalie.

Natalie kept her eyes down, avoiding his gaze, staring at the shattered pieces on the floor. She said calmly, “These are the matching mugs I had made on the third day after we got married. Maybe the mug knew we were divorced, so it broke on its own. Perfect timing.”

Natalie picked up the shards and threw them into the trash can.

Easton had never seen these mugs before; he had no idea she had ordered them.

Hearing her say “perfect timing” only deepened his frustration. “Natalie, this mug held meaning for us, and you are glad that it is broken now?”

Natalie didn’t respond. She found a different cup and made two cups of coffee.

She was thirsty.

She didn’t need to stay tonight since Jennifer would be here soon.

“Come and eat,” Natalie said as she served some spaghetti for Easton.

Easton glanced at the trash can before walking over.

Sitting across from Natalie, he commanded, “You eat too.”

Natalie was full and couldn’t eat another bite. “No, thanks. I’m full. And don’t worry. I didn’t poison the food. I’ve always treated food with respect and wouldn’t mess with it.”

Easton trusted her on this.

He picked up the beef and potato pottage, took a sip, and found that it tasted exactly as he remembered.

Craving the familiar home-cooked dishes, he ended up eating a lot.

Setting down his fork, he glanced at Natalie, who was quietly sipping her coffee.

Then he said, “Natalie, I was wrong to blame you for everything before. From now on, I’ll try to trust you—”

Natalie cut him off. “There is no ‘from now on.’ I’m quitting my job tomorrow. I won’t give you the chance to threaten me again. What makes you think that after all the pain you’ve caused me, a simple apology would make me come back?

“I would rather die than stay with you. That’s my stance.”

She thought to herself, ‘Does he think he can still threaten me? In his dreams.’

Easton’s eyes darkened instantly, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

“Natalie,” Easton said, his tone stern. Frustrated by her indifference, he recalled how deeply she had loved him and devoted all her energy to him during their two years of marriage.

But all of a sudden, she said she didn’t love him anymore.

She seemed so unconcerned when her mug, which held special meaning, shattered.

Easton felt a rising sense of irritation that even Jennifer’s trip abroad hadn’t stirred.

“Natalie, don’t talk to me like that,” he said.

Natalie furrowed her brow, met his dark gaze, and asked in confusion, “What more do you want from me? When you and the Simpson family forced me to leave, you should have expected that I’d treat you like this.”

“I told you, I was wrong to blame you before. It’s my fault,” said Easton.

“And I’ve told you—I don’t accept your apology,” replied Natalie.

They locked eyes in silence. Easton was furious, while Natalie remained calm, silently resisting him.

She thought, ‘Why hasn’t Jennifer arrived yet? It’s been a while since I made a post on my social media.’

Noticing the unfamiliar look in her eyes, Easton felt a strange sensation stir in his chest.

Suddenly, he stood up, walked over, and pulled Natalie to her feet.

Natalie frowned and asked, “What are you doing?”

“We’re going to buy wedding rings,” Easton said, dragging her toward the door.

Natalie was taken aback, thinking, ‘Wedding rings? Now? He is insane. I’m not going along with this madness.’

She said, “Easton, let go! I’m not buying any rings. We’re divorced. We have no future together, so why do we need rings?” Easton suddenly stopped and warned her, “Natalie, if you’re playing hard to get, don’t overdo it.”

Natalie looked at him in astonishment.

She couldn’t believe he still thought she was playing hard to get.

Maybe it was because she had been good to him these past few years, making him think she couldn’t live without him.

And in the past, it was true. She had been so in love with him that being apart made her anxious. Her world had revolved around him.

No matter what she was doing, he was always the first person to cross her mind.

She avoided calling or reaching out while he was at work, worried it might disturb him.

She worried about his stomach issues and often made herbal soups for him.

But now, with this second chance at life, she’d be out of her mind to waste time on someone like him.

Natalie was anxiously figuring out how to turn Easton down when glaring lights suddenly flashed outside the window, and a sly smile flickered in her eyes.