Chapter 5

Natasha briefly greeted the board of directors before hanging up.

"How are my parents doing? It's been three years since I last saw them. I don't know whether …" She looked at Zack.

"They're fine, so you don't need to worry about them. Why didn't you think about how they'd fare when you insisted on marrying into a nondescript family like the Graysons?" Zack smirked and teased.

"Alright, that's enough," Natasha retorted. "Let's go. I'm sleepy."

She'd been in a good mood after leaving the Graysons, but it was gone now. Zack's tongue was as sharp as ever.

They didn't take long to arrive at a lavishly decorated villa.

Natasha's mood had recovered. She washed up, deciding to head to the mall to buy some daily necessities tomorrow. She'd left everything she owned at the Grayson Villa. As people always said, out with the old and in with the new. After that, she'd go check out the real estate.

…

Joshua received a call from Natalie.

"Josh, I'm back," she said daintily.

Joshua's heart skipped a beat when he heard her voice. It had been a long time. "Send me your location. I'll pick you up."

After hanging up, he gave Ella a look. She immediately understood what he meant and said respectfully, "Go ahead and pick Ms. Lovelace up, Mr. Grayson. I'll watch over Mr. Grayson Senior."

Despite her words, Ella wondered why Natalie had suddenly returned. What would happen to Natasha now that Natalie was back?

20 minutes later, Joshua's Rolls-Royce pulled up outside the airport. The headlights shone brightly as the bodyguards stood in two neat rows by the car. Joshua got out.

Natalie saw him immediately. He stood with the lights behind him, and they framed him. He was as handsome as ever, and the air around him was as cold as always.

She beamed when she saw him approaching her, but upon close scrutiny, there was no hiding the vague uneasiness and diffidence in her eyes. "Josh, you're here. I've missed you so much!"

Her sudden departure three years ago must've upset Joshua. Natalie didn't know how Joshua would treat her now that she was back.

Joshua looked at her familiar face. His expression softened a little, and he was about to say something when her actions made him falter.

Natalie seemed to have some trouble maintaining her balance. She wavered, looking weak. "My head hurts, Josh."

Joshua was about to question her, but he forgot about that when he saw how weak she was. "Let's get you into the car."

A bodyguard hurried forward to open the car door for Natalie. Then, he helped her inside.

She'd yet to settle into her seat before throwing her arms around Joshua. Her voice was shaky as she said, "I thought I wouldn't ever see you again, Josh. I missed you every day that I was abroad."

She tightened her hold on him as if afraid he would push her way. She continued, "Don't worry, Josh. I'm not going anywhere now that I'm back. Back then, I left without a word because my mother was gravely ill and without anyone to care for her.

"She's gone now …" Natalie lowered her head as tears filled her eyes.

Joshua's heart ached at her teary explanation. He couldn't bring himself to say anything else. He wrapped a strong arm around her slender back and patted her consolingly.

When he saw that she was still weeping, he tenderly wiped her tears away. "It's fine, Natty. You still have me. From now on, the Grayson family will be your family."

After that, Joshua gave Natalie a gift box. It was exquisite, and Natalie realized it was rather heavy when she accepted it.

She opened the box carefully to see a necklace inside. There was a blue diamond pendant the size of a fingernail inside, and several smaller diamonds were framing it. It gleamed even in the dim lighting.

Natalie's breathing hitched. This necklace would've cost several million dollars at the very least. Her palms grew clammy.

It seemed the rumors were true. Not only had Joshua become the heir to the Grayson family, but he'd also brought the company back to life when it had earlier been on the brink of bankruptcy. It seemed the company was doing even better than before.

Natalie's innocent smile became even brighter.

"This is a gift to celebrate your return, Natty. Welcome home." Joshua took in Natalie's joyful expression and gazed at her tenderly.

"Thank you, Josh!" Natalie relaxed when she saw the tenderness in his gaze. She linked arms with him and said, "Let's head home."

They arrived at one of the apartments owned by the Grayson family.

"Grandpa's not in the best of health now, and Ella can't care for him alone. You can stay here for the time being; I'll take you over to the villa when Grandpa's doing better." Joshua held Natalie's hand. His tone was somewhat cajoling.

He helped Natalie out of the car. She seemed to still be unsteady on her feet. It was as if a strong gust of win would be able to bowl her over.

"Okay. Don't worry about me, Josh. I can take care of myself." She held Joshua's hand tightly. Her gaze was gentle and frail; it made one's heart ache.

"You must've neglected yourself while caring for your mother abroad. You seem to be doing worse than before," Joshua said.

He draped a shawl from the car's backseat over Natalie's shoulders. "I want you to recuperate here. I've been quite busy with work lately, so I won't have time to care for you. That's why I chose a few capable maids from the Grayson Villa for you."

Natalie looked thoughtfully at the shawl around her shoulders. There was an unfamiliar scent on it. She didn't let her thoughts show, though. Instead, she smiled gently. "Do what you need to do, Josh. I'm not a child anymore."

Joshua held her, his heart going out to her.

After he left, Natalie sat down by the bedside and quickly whipped the shawl off. Then, she flung it onto the floor, looking disgusted.

It had to belong to Natasha. That despicable scent got on her nerves!

After a while, she beckoned to the housekeeper, Gina Lambert, and held her hand with a sweet smile. "Gina, can I see a photo of Ms. Sullivan?"