Closer We Rie
Timothy led her toward the estate''s back garden. "How about horseback riding? There''s a stable just ahead "That won''t be necessary,” Natalie replied cuntly.
She wasn''t the type to get close to people. The only reason she agreed to Timothy''s suggestion was the faint possibility that he might be her brother.
me and the
Having grown up without parental love or siblings, Natalie couldn''t help but feel a pang of longing when she saw Emma with her family. The warmth in their interactions unhidden affection her brothers had for Emina stirred a quiet ache in her heart.
They walked in silence for a while before Timothy finally broke it. “May I ask how you and Marcus mat?"
"If you''re curious, Timothy, why not ask me directly?"
The voice, deep and authoritative, came from behind. Marcus emerged, his silhouette illuminated by the sunlight as he strode toward Natalle
Emma hurried after him, clutching the hem of her dress. "Marcus, wait for me!"
But Marcus ignored her, extending a hand toward Natalie. "We''re leaving."
Natalie pped his hand away without hesitation, nodding briefly at the Walker siblings before briskly putting distance between herself and Marcus
Marcus sighed, letting his hand fall to his side. "He''s in a mood. I''ll go cheer him up”
Without another word, Marcus walked away, chasing after Natalie''s retreating figure
Emma stood frozen, her mind spinning. After a long pause, she turned to Timothy “Timothy, is Marcus...?
“Exactly what you''re thinking.” Timothy replied with a sigh, teaching out to ruffle her hair. “Enma, have you considered choosing someone who truly loves you?
"No, I won''t." Emma bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears
She had loved Marcus for so many years. She was his fiancée Even if he liked men, she wasn''t willing to give up
“But Marcus has already asked Dad to annul the engagement,” Timothy said heavily. The message he had received earlier from their father confirmed it. Marcus'' private conversation had been about breaking off the engagement
is won''t ept a man.
"Marcus doesn''t get to decide that,” Emma said firmly. She blinked back her tears and forced a smile. "Timothy, the Holdenst
"I''m confident"
"But didn''t you see how Marcus and that boy interacted earlier?”
"They didn''t do anything inappropriate," Emma replied.
“And that''s exactly why it''s even more ambiguous,“Timothy said.
She took a step closer to Timothy, her gaze locking with his. Timothy, have you ever truly loved someone? Loved them so much it seeped into your bones? So much that every little thing they did was etched into your memory, staying with you no matter how hard you tried to forget?”
Her eyes glistened with tears, yet she smiled faintly, as if trying to hold on to herposure
“Even if you knew they didn''t love you, you couldn''t help but love them. Even knowing it was like a moth flying into a me, you couldn''t stop yourself."
“Enuma, this isn''t right." Timothy frowned. There was something onschtling about Emma''s feelings for Margin. He thought Emma was being obsessive toward Marcus.
"Timothy, do you really think Mr. Holden Senior would approve of Marcus being with some unknown man? do you think he would prefer me, the eldest daughter of the Waker family, as his fiancée”
Erma smiled condently as she
or continued, “Just wall and see. I''ll be Marcus'' wife, no matter what."
She was determined. 11 her sical verte a weman, things might be trickier, bir aman?That didn''t fare her at all.
A glimmer et tears appeared in Emma''s eyes as she quickly wiped them away with a smile, she said happily, "Timothy, I''m nning to talk to Mom and Dad. I''ll suggesti disc with Mr. Holden Senior aboutbining my birthday party and engagement banquet into one event. What do you think?*
Timoth fell silent. Thend gimp chat had already revealed that Emina want their biological sister.
The real sister was Male Walker, who had been abused for 20 years by the Langley family.
I not for Grace''s protection, Natalie might not have survived.
That despicable couple, Victor and Diana, had treated her nothing more than living blood bank for nearly derades. The Walker family would never let them get away with it. "Timothy Emesacalled out ansiously, noticing his unusual silence. His expression had tumed itant, making her may
"What''s wrong, Timothy
"Nothing." Tamothy prapped back to reality, making his thoughts. Their real sister hadn''t been united with them yet, so they had agreed not to real the truth to timma just
20 years was a long time. Even with a pet, bonds would form, let alone with a living, breathing person who had been showered with their family''s uenering love and care.
The feelings they had invested worm''t something that could be taken back so easily.
Yet, Emma''s position in the Walker family was a result of this mistaken identity.
She had only received their affection because they believed she was their biological sister
Once Natale was back, things worldchange
While they could continue to provide for Em, she could no longer hold the ce that rightfully belonged to Natalie.
“Emma, Marcus doesn''t have feelings for you. Maybe it''s time for you to consider moving on "Timothy sald He knew he couldn''t tell her the truth, that she wasn''t truly a Walker, and that Marcus supposed fiance was meant to be Natale, mother.
sole that Mascus didn''t like her he thought otherwise, this entire situation would have been even messins. Emma''s cheerful demeanor faltered, her smile dimming as a flickerotuncertainty crossed her face. Today had always supported her pursuit of Marcus, but now he was urging
Could it be that Timothy already!
eshewasn''t the Walker fly''s real daughter?
"Timothy, didn''t you all support me loving Marcus before Emma asked as she bither lips, looking up at him with teary eyes.
“If chasing Marcus makes you unhappy or causes you pain, then would rather see you find joy and finiment elsewhere. Emma, your life shouldn''t revole around one man." Timothy gently ruffled Emma''s hair, just ke he always did. No matter what, even if she wasn''t his biological sister, she was still there girl he had watched grow up **Tunderstand, thanks, Timothy Emma didn''t argue further instead, she returned to her us sweet and obedient demeanor. "I''ll go check on Dal "By the way, wher''s Mom?
"She''s out and hasn''te back yet."
"Where did she go? Jedcaling and messaging her earlier, but she didn''t respoed I''m really worried about ber Emma''s expression showed concem, though deep down, she knew exactly where Charlottehad gone.
She''d gone to find her real daughter, Natalie.
toon be at risk.
Emma couldn''t shake the feeling that her ce in the family would soon
She had to act fast
Fortunately, her recent trip to Balled to deliver medicine and spend time with Charles had gone exceptionally well is just a few days, she had managed to win Charles"vor Charles had even promised that once his health improved, he would personally arrange her engagement to Marcus.
"Don''t worry about Mom She''s just outing errands. She back soon of right, Enmal behaving a match the day after tomorrow, do you want to watch it can save
“Sure!” Emma replied with a bearing smile, “I want a VIP ticket!"
“Of course, it''s not a problemini
Timothy patted in the head again and said, "Alright, go get some rest.?
“Alright, thanks, Timothy."
Erema left. Timothy, as a professional esports yer, always reserved the best VIP tickets for her at his
matches
As the youngest bling, Emmanever missed the chance to cheer him on.
The Walker family had five sons and one daughter. That alone was enough to give anyone aglimpse into the kind of life Emma must have led
Timothy went back into the house. Emma stood outside for a moment longer before allowing him into the
estate.
She grabbed her car keys and purse and then headed to the storage room
growingup
Inside, she carefully selected a rare, premium–grade truffle the family had acquired at an exorbitant auction price, as well as a bone vintage Romane-Con
Cuerder
Esma packed the muttle and wine into an elegant, handcrafted mahogany gift box before heading out.
Emma''s red sports car had post rolled out of ker residences when William sent a message in the family
groupchat.
Wim: “Emma past left with a gift. Honey, when will you be home?
Charlotte “Soon, probably around 8:00 pm. Have you finished setting up
in the new room for our daughter like I asked?"
witam: “I haven''t had time to make it perfect vel. It was all sost-minute.
Charlotte: "Everyone, have you all prepared your gifts for your sister ?When 1 hring Mrs. Langley Senior hack home, your sister will definitelye to see us. You guys had better behave it the tools let down bens and
refuses to sta, none of you will be spared."
William was the first to respond; "Understood! You can count on me, so don''t worry, honey"
Lincoln was still on sel filming, so he didn''t reply to the messages.
Meanwhile, Hector, Timothy, and Mason replied at the same time: "Understood. We''ll make sure not to
disappoint her or make her upset."
Charlotte was pleased with the responses. As she scrolled through the messages, she suddenly remembered
her eldest son, Sky, had been kicked out of the group chat and hadn''t been added back yet
She then screenshotted the conversation and sent it to him directly.
Charlotte typed, "Ungrateful son, take a good look at this.
sky read the message. He had a lot to say but knew better than to argue.
sky responded, "Mom, please add me back to the groupchat."
“Charlotte added sky to the group chat.”
"Charlotte added NZ to the groupchat."
"Nz has left the groupchat
Everyone in the Walker family group chat was dumbfounded.
Charlotte typed, "NZ is your sister, Natalie Walker."
Natalie had joined bur left within a second perhaps she hadn''t noticed list
Mason: "Natalie just left.."
Charlotte: "It''s fine Nat justi
it needs some time to adjust That''spletely understandable. We need to be patient and confident
Although Charlotte said this tofort the group, a part of her couldn''t help but feel a little hart.
Meanwhile, renovations at the Walker Manor were still in full swing
william had instructed the renovationpany inpletely remodel the ith floor. The floor originally had several separate rooms, but William had the designerbined of them into onerge space
Hall of it was transformed walk-in closet and jewelry room.
Once the remodeling was finished, the space underwent air purification to remove any chemical odors.
Only after that would they begin stocking the room with Natalie''s clothes, shoes, handbags, and jewelry,
The room was spacious and beautifully designed, with a soft blend of pastel blue and pink tones. It was both cozy and elegant, a reflection of a top-tier designer''s touch.
When Emma hadst visited, she had only been on the second floor Coupled with the estate''s exceptional soundproofing, she had no idea the family was preparing for Matale''s
William had already contacted all the methoxy brand boutiques, arranging for them in deliver thetest collections stelothing, shoes, and bags for each season Jewelry and essories were also part of the n. As for the Walker brothers, each of them had carefully prepared gifts in wee Natalie home, William and Timothy were in the team, watching as Emma di away from the estate. Afterward, they left the tea
room and took the leator up to the filth floor. “Dad, seriously, how are we supposed to exin this to Emma? Truly asked, recounting his earlier conversation with her in full.
"Emma is determined to win Marcus'' heart, but it''s clear that Marcus doesn''t like her. He didn''t ke her before,
a intimate with other men in front of jest to force into barak of the engagement "
"It''s obvious that Marcus is putting on an act
stil doesn''t now. He''s even gone as far a
"I know Marcus has already spoken to me about it, and he''stent on canceling the engagement with Emma. I
discussed it with Charlotte, and her stancels that the engagement was originally for Natale. It was never meant for Emma,”
Wim monitored the workers as he continued, “Eruma has been benefiting from that wasn''t hers to begin
with, it''s one thing if we didn''t know back then, but now that the truth is out, we can''t allow this mistake to
contine
"It Marcus and Emma were childhood friends with deep feelings for each other, then when Natured, we would exin the situation to her and find someone even better for he.
"However, Marcus doesn''t like Emma Charlotte told me that Mrs. Langley Senior believes Marcus should
marry Not install the said Nat has feelings for Marcus
"Wait, what? Timely was confused. "Has Natalie met Marcus before?!
yes. ording to Mrs. Langley Senior, they crossed paths back when Natale was in Amberton
To be precise, Natalie had learned about Marcus'' existence during her time in Amberton.
ace had encouraged her to find a way to chama ham, hoping she''d eventually marry him and be the
future Mrs. Holden of the prestigious Holden family
Of course, Grace had conveniently left out these details when speaking to Charlotte.
“Well, if Natale genuinely likes Marcus, we can''t let him break off the engagement."
"Exactly"
Satisfied after a final inspection of the renovations, William instructed the team to maintain their high
standards before heading downstairs with Timothy
The two had barely reached the ground floor when Wim received a call from the Holden family
"Hello, William! Why don''t you bring your family over to the Holden residence for dinner tonight?''s been a
while since our families shared a meal. With Marcus free thi evening, it''s the perfect opportunity,” Charles suggested as heughed happily.
William quickly agreed to his suggestion. "Of course, Mr. Holden Senior. We there tonight."
"Great!''s settled, then?
After hanging up, Charles tumed to Emma, who sat elegantly across from him. “Emma, your Dad and the rest
of your Landy will join us for dinner tonight. You might as well stay here.”
"Thanks, Grandpa Charles Emma''s demeanor was poised and polite. Not only was she elegant, but her
radiant smeeded warmth and charm
Being back in Duthoria State Telt keteburning to her element.
She had brought premium-grade truffles and an exceptional bottle of wine as gifts. Then, she spent the afternoon ying chess with Charles, entertaining him with her wit and pleasant coversation
Heased with herpany, Charles decided on the spot to invite the Walker family for dinner.
When it came to the younger generation, Charles preferend to stay out of their affairs. That said, his desire to have great-grandchildren was genuine
Since Marcus clearly had no feelings for Emma and Instead showed an unusual level of care and protectiveness toward the cross-dressing Natalie, Charles saw tonight''s dinner as an oppomnity to gauge where everyone stood
Initially, both families had agreed that when Emma turned 20, a joint celebration would double as her engagement party with Marcus, fubtiling the long-standing childhood betrothal between the two families
That milestone was only three months away. I everything went as nned, the entire region''s elite and major
media outlet would be in attendance to witness Emma''s grand birthday and engagement celebration.
However, things clywent as nned.
Disguised as a young man, Natalie was the unexpected heist of this tale
Marcus wasn''t exactly like most people.
still, Charles looked forward to the revtion. He couldn''t help but anticipate Marcus reaction when the truth
finally came to light.
Charles couldn''t deny that he had a mischievous side. After all, Marcus always wore that frosty expression,
Marcus showed no interest in women, carried himself with an air of rigid discipline, mudcked even the slightest hint of a lively young man''s charm.
He couldn''t help but wonder what it would be like to see hisler-cold grandson finally melt and reveal a more
human
“Grandpa Charles, you''ve won again,” Emma remarked, holding achess piece in her hand. Her delicate features twisted in mock frustration. “You''re too good at this. I never win when I y against you.”
"You''re still young. Loving to an old man like me is only natural," Charles replied with a warm chuckle "Let Marcus send you off after he gets backter.”
"Mr. Holden Senior, Mr. Marcus and Mr. Langley are back."
The butler, Sheldon Phelps, informed Charles respecthally, Marcus was making his way over,
apanied by Natalie,
“Alright. Tell the kitchen to prepare the dinner. The Walker family will be joining us, so make sure it''s a feast."
understand, Mr Holden Senior"
Sheldon stepped back to handle the dinner arrangements but passed when he noticed Marcus and Natalie
approaching. He offered a respectful greeting
“Good evening, Mr. Marcus. Mr. Langley."
Marcas gave a slight nod and replied, "Go ahead"
"Yes, sir."
With that, Sheldon left to oversee the preparations while Marcus led Natalie into the lounge.
"Hi, Grandpa Charles."
Emma stood up and greeted them, “Hi Marcus. Hi Mr. Langley.
“Grandpa Charles, there''s something I need to discuss with you.”
With that, Marcus cast a brief nce at Emma, “Nathaniel, could you escort Ms. Walker to the living room for
a moment?"
Natalie wanted to refuse his request, but the sharp look Marcus gave her left no room for argument. Reluctantly, she nodded.
"Ms. Walker, this way, please."
Natalie''s voice was calm andposed
Emma Bodded with a polite smile. “Thanks, Nathaniel,”
She then turned to Marcus and said, "Don''t worry, Marcus. Your friend is my friend. I''ll make sure Nathaniel
feels at home"
Marcus sharp brows furrowed slightly. Before he could respond, Emma spoke again.
“sky mentioned that if you still need more of the Dead of Night, can bring you another batch."
Her tone was warm and sincere, and her elegant demeanor