Emma''s tears fell even faster as she asked, "Why do you keep asking me these questions, Hector? Is it only when I admit to it that you''ll be satisfied?
"I didn''t do anything! Why won''t you believe me? Is it because I''m not your real sister? Because we don''t share the same blood? Is that why you''re so determined to push me to the edge?"
Seeing her in such a state, Hector knew it was pointless to continue. He got up and switched off the light in her ward.
"Get some rest," he said.
Emma clutched the white coat he was wearing. "Hector, I need to see Marcus. Please, I''m begging you to help me just this once. If you refuse to help me, then PH... P''H..."
She faltered, unable toe up with a real threat.
To her surprise, Hector agreed without hesitation. "I''ll help you, Emma. But after you see Marcus, don''t even think abouting home again."
Emma''s eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Do you even realize what you''re saying, Hector?"
"I know exactly what I''m saying, Emma. The question is-do you know what you''re doing?" His voice lost its gentleness, turning steely and firm.
Emma would catch the warning in his words if she were wise enough. Yet, Hector wouldn''t stop her if she decided to disregard it. He wasn''t going to save someone who was bent on ruining themselves.
"I''ll arrange for Marcus to see you once, Emma."
With that, he turned and walked out of the ward.
"Hector! Hector!" Emma called after him, but he never turned around.
Some words didn''t need to be spoken again.
...
The next day, Hector arrived at the Walker residence to find the cepletely transformed. Jasmine flowers bloomed in every corner while the walls borerge, carefully arranged photos of Natalie.
Charlotte and Gorge meticulously checked everyst detail, while Mason flitted from one spot to another, inspecting every corner to ensure perfection.
Lincoln had left for thepany early that morning. With Sky gone, his workload had doubled.
Charlotte had insisted that Sky return for the wee party that night before going back to digging into the baby-switching case from back then.
Meanwhile, Timothy had returned, bringing his team with him. He was in the dining room, sipping coffee and chatting with Natalie and Olivia when Hector arrived.
After asking a helper where to find them, Hector knocked on the dining room door. Everyone inside turned to look at him in unison.
"Hector''s back!" Natalie was the first to speak.
Hector gave a gentle smile. "Yes, I''m back."
"You must be tired after the night shift, right? Go get some rest, Hector," Natalie said.
Since returning to the Walker family, she had slowly gotten used to showing more concern for them.
"I''m fine," Hector replied. "I need your help with something, Nat."
On his way over, he had already spoken to Marcus.
After hearing Hector''s request, Marcus had gone quiet for a long moment before agreeing on one condition-Natalie had to visit Charles at Holden Residence.
Hector saw no reason to refuse, so he agreed without a second thought. Marcus didn''t care about Emma. Seeing him would only wound her further. There was no chance he''d give her any hope.
"Sure!" Natalie said, rising from her seat. She exchanged a brief word with Timothy before following Hector out of the dining room.
"Emma wants to see Marcus, but he agreed on one condition-you have to visit Mr. Holden Senior," Hector exined. "Have you changed your bandage yet, Nat? Does your hand still hurt?"
He reached for her hand.
She shook her head. "It doesn''t hurt anymore. I''ll do it, Hector."
"Are you sure? I don''t want you to feel like you have to, Nat."
Her immediate agreement made Hector feel uneasy. It was as if he was pushing her into something she might not really want to do.
"No, I don''t mind at all," Natalie said with a smile. "Grandpa Charles has always been kind to me. I should visit him. But if Marcus is going to see Emma, can Ie along just to watch?"
"Of course," Hector said with a smallugh. "Marcus doesn''t like Emma, so he''ll probably have plenty of nasty things to say."
"And she still wants to see him?" Natalie asked, finding it strange.
Aside from being good-looking and well-built, Marcus didn''t exactly have much else going for him. Was Emma really that shallow?
"Yeah, let her meet him if she insists. That should be enough to get her to give up. Honestly, I didn''t want here ruining your wee party, so had Marcus meet her to make sure she felt discouraged. It''s better if she stays at the hospital and doesn''t show up at all."
"You''re actually worried that Emma might try something, aren''t you?" Natalie chuckled. "She''d be pretty upset if she found out you were this cautious around her."
Hectorughed as well. "I''m not oblivious, Nat. Some things are hard to put into words, but I can clearly see it. She''s been with us for 20 years, and I''ve always cared for her like a sister.
"I don''t want to see her go down the wrong road. If there''s even a sliver of a chance to stop her, I''ll take it-that''s what a brother does. But if she insists on taking that route after everything, I''ll step back and walk away without regrets.
"You''re my true sister, Nat, so I''m
telling you exactly how I feel. I know
you
won''t judge me for it. Feelings
can be messy, and things aren''t alwaysas clear as we want them to be. I''m not ready to treat Emma like an enemy when I don''t have clear proof of my suspicions.
"But I won''t hesitate to act if she keeps pushing boundaries or tries to hurt you
and the Walkers. I just need to be certain before I make a final call. Will you hold that against me?"
Natalie shook her head. "No, not at all. Actually, I''m d you''re being open with me."
Hector smiled and said, "I''ve never been one for ying games or sugarcoating things. I''d rather just be upfront. Whether you ept it or end up resenting me, I can live with that."
"Funny enough, I feel the same way," Natalie replied, her eyes crinkling into a warm smile.
Hector''s willingness to share his feelings with her was a sign that he truly saw her as his sister. After all, people would only open up to those they held closest.