Panic seized Natalie.For some reason, she felt like she'd just been caught cheating. She frantically looked away from Rowan, and any romantic tension that had been building between her and Aloysius ground to a halt as she whispered, "We should head back."Aloysius eyed her tenderly. "Alright."They continued forward side by side. It so happened that they'd walk past Rowan on their way back to the room. He didn't look like he was about to leave, which made Natalie even more nervous.She caught his tall, lean figure in her peripheral vision. He cut a dashing silhouette in an impeccable black suit and stood firmly in place. The orange flame from his lighter cast a warm glow over his features, bringing out the shade of his eyes.Natalie was about to walk past him, and she didn't plan on greeting him, either.After they'd passed him, Rowan's gaze fell on Natalie's back. Smoke unfurled from his cigarette as ashes fell onto the velvet carpet underfoot like finely ground dust.A long p
Natalie was rendered speechless by Benjamin and Aloysius' bit, but it was the children's birthday today, and their happiness was infectious. She said sportingly, "If I'm still single by the time I'm 40 years old, I'll marry you."Aloysius took Natalie seriously, fixing her with an even stare. "Do you really mean that?"Natalie had meant it as a joke, but Aloysius' sudden solemn tone caught her off guard. She was about to explain when he added matter-of-factly, "In any case, I'll take your word for it, Natalie. I'll marry you on your 40th birthday and take on your last name, wedding gifts in tow."Natalie was 29 years old this year. She had 11 more years to go before she turned 40. She highly doubted Aloysius would wait that long, so she played along and said with a lighthearted laugh, "Deal."When the kids had had their fun and were tired out for the day, Natalie had the maids straighten out the guest rooms. Everyone at the party would be sleeping over at her place tonight.The gr
Pamela caressed her lower abdomen as she watched the shock play over Natalie's face. "Aren't you going to congratulate me, Natalie? Your kids will soon have a baby brother or sister!"Natalie had years to learn how to mask her emotions, but she still couldn't keep her feelings from getting the better of her upon hearing such news.Nonetheless, she met Pamela head-on, stepping forward as she sneered, "It's bad form to associate yourself with people who want nothing to do with you. The child you're carrying has no relation to my children."She dug her nails into her palms, the pain clearing her mind. She didn't want to stay here and drag out this argument with Pamela, lest she come off like a scorned wife. As such, she brushed past Pamela and continued forward.Pamela hounded Natalie anyway, catching up to her as she said, "The fact that I'm pregnant with his child means we'll be tied together in this life for good! Even if he were to remember everything, he wouldn't abandon his chil
Natalie knew she needed rest. She wasn't alone now. She had two kids and Susan to look after. She had to stay strong as a mother and a daughter.She found a place to get some shut-eye. After two or three hours, she woke without prompting. Perhaps her clamoring thoughts made it hard for her mind to stop working and allow her to get proper sleep.Fortunately, Wanda's condition stabilized. At the very least, Wanda had pulled through this time.Natalie took that as a win. She watched as Bella played house with Wanda and later joined in herself. After a while of playing, Benjamin returned with several portions of takeout. The three grownups gathered around Wanda, keeping up a lively conversation. Benjamin, in particular, had a knack for cheering up little kids.Wanda had developed a special fondness for him, which was just as well, seeing as he was her godfather. "Ben, will you marry me when I grow up?"Everyone was so amused by her question that they laughed.Bella pointed out with
Natalie sped the whole way, not even sure how many red lights she had run until she finally reached the hospital.Over the past three years, she had been to the hospital countless times, and at this point, she could find her way around with her eyes closed. She hurriedly dashed down the hallway and stopped at the door to Wanda's room. Inside lay a little girl so tiny that she made the bed look even bigger.Wanda's face was deathly pale, and her lips were a bluish-purple. When she saw Natalie, her beautiful eyes lit up instantly. "Mommy!"She flashed Natalie a sweet smile, trying her best to ease her worry.Natalie choked back a sob and blinked away the mist in her eyes. She plastered a smile on her face as she walked over to Wanda. "Did my little sweetheart miss me?"Wanda grinned, showing her pearly white teeth. "I missed Mommy the most. Can I get a kiss?"Natalie sat down beside her and planted a gentle kiss on Wanda's chubby little cheek. Looking at all the machines connected
Rowan continued to stare at Natalie, his gaze unwavering, as if his eyes could pierce through her. After a long pause, he asked, "We were in love at one time, weren't we?"Natalie's heart skipped a beat, and even her breath caught. "What… What do you remember?" she asked cautiously, but Rowan's eyes burned with fiery intensity.He spoke softly, "You were wearing a wedding dress and marrying someone else… I was in so much pain. I called you 'Talie'... I kissed you."Fragments of memory flashed through his mind, and although he could only see Natalie's face clearly, those broken pieces were enough to make him realize something—they did know each other. And not only that, but he had loved her deeply, too.Rowan frowned, his tone carrying a hint of accusation. "Why did you marry someone else? Was I not good enough?"Perhaps caught up in the emotions of those memories, he suddenly grabbed her wrist forcefully. His gaze inadvertently flicked down to the ring on her ring finger and found