Marcus stared at the photo for quite some time. When he looked up, Natalie was still holding her book,pletely absorbed in reading.


    After a moment of contemtion, he sent a message to Sheldon. Not long after, Sheldon entered with a line of helpers, bringing a variety of food and drinks into the Book Sanctum.


    "Mr. Holden."


    "Leave it here."


    "Yes."


    Sheldon directed the helpers to set everything down and, ncing over at Natalie sitting on the nearby couch, returned to his duties with great respect, quietly exiting.


    Marcus, now with his phone, muted it and snapped a few pictures of Natalie while she was engrossed in her book. Holding a cocktail in hand, he walked over and ced it in front of her.


    "Nat, do you want a drink?"


    Natalie looked up, her eyes wide for a brief moment. She had been so focused on her book that she was momentarily disoriented.


    Marcus held up the drink, his dark eyes calm and steady, his voice low but


    soothing, "You''ve been reading for a while. Drink something, eat a little. Rx, let your eyes rest. If you like it, feel free toe by anytime."


    Natalie took the ss from him. "Can I take this with meter?"


    "Of course."


    She gently sniffed the drink. "Is this a cocktail?"


    "Yeah, do you want to try it?"


    "Sure."


    Natalie took a small sip. The cocktail was sweet and tangy, without any bite. She couldn''t quite tell what ingredients the bartender used, but it was refreshing.


    "Are there any other vors to try?"


    Natalie followed Marcus'' gaze, and her eyes widened as she saw the spread on the table nearby-several rows of drinks and food, including fruits, snacks, and even full meals.


    "You''re setting up a buffet in the Book Sanctum?" she asked, putting the book down and stretching. "Marcus, isn''t this a bit much?"


    "There''s no harm in it," he replied with a slight smile. "If it makes you happy, then it''s worth it."


    With that, Marcus poured himself some red wine and then filled Natalie''s ss. He handed it to her with a steady hand. "Have a drink with me?"


    She took the ss, and they clinked their sses softly, the sound clear and crisp.


    "Cheers."


    Marcus raised his ss and swirled it gently before bringing it to his lips for a sip. Natalie followed suit, sipping gracefully.


    "When I was little, I asked Grandpa about my parents for the first time." Marcus'' deep, maic voice broke the silence, his words slow and measured. "I asked him why all the other kids had both parents, but I didn''t.


    "Grandpa told me that my parents had gone on a trip and that he would take care of me and teach me. The Holden family isn''t big. My father only had one sibling, and she was my Aunt Cassie. But she doesn''t care about me."


    Natalie stayed silent, her focus entirely on him.


    "You''ve met Aunt Cassie at Quinton Hospital, right?" he asked. "She was there with Jessy."


    Natalie''s expression didn''t change, but her thoughts shifted at the mention of that memory.


    "My aunt is two-faced. On the surface, she''s dutiful to Grandpa, but secretly, she''s always tried to pull me down from my position as heir. She can''t control me, nor Grandpa, so she tries to use women to manipte me."


    Marcus'' voice became even lower and morepelling in the quiet Book Sanctum.


    Natalie didn''t interrupt; she just listened carefully, taking a small sip from her ss now and then.


    "You might not believe it, but I''ve never seen a picture of my parents."


    Marcus'' face tightened, and his voice had a hint of bitterness as he continued, "You lived at my house for a while, you might have noticed, but I don''t have any wedding photos of my parents."


    He finished his ss of wine in one go and poured himself another. "Nat, I really envy you."


    He downed the ss again.


    Seeing his somber expression, Natalie gently ced her hand over his, stopping him from pouring more. "Stop drinking."


    "Come on, have a few more with me," Marcus said with a bitter smile, his voice heavy with emotion. "Grandpa raised me. The thing I fear most is losing him.


    "But, life and death are part of the cycle of life. I can''t control it. What I can do is spend as much time with him as I can while he''s still here, make him happy, and make sure he has no regrets.


    "I''m afraid that one day, I''ll want to honor him, but he won''t be there anymore. If Grandpa really leaves one day, I''ll be all alone."


    He drank again, emptying the third ss.


    Natalie watched him, recalling when she had still seen Grace as her closest family. Back then, she had shared Marcus'' feelings.


    For a moment, Natalie felt a deeper connection to Marcus. She ced her ss down and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle hug.


    "Grandpa Charles will live a long life. I''ll make sure he''s fine."


    "Thank you, Natalie," Marcus said, setting his ss down and holding her tightly. "I regret everything. I misunderstood you so badly, and I''ve done things that hurt you."


    The words of apology came naturally, and he couldn''t stop them. If time could be rewound, he would never treat her like that again.


    "Nat, I''m really sorry. Can you forgive me?"


    "I don''t me you," Natalie sighed, gently pushing against him, but his strength was too much. She could have used her moves to push him off, but seeing him so broken, she chose tofort him instead.


    They had been friends for so long, hadn''t they?


    "Then... Can you stay and drink with me for a while?"


    Marcus loosened his grip slightly, taking the wine bottle and refilling both their sses.


    "Okay," Natalie said, resigned to staying by his side.


    They clinked sses, drank, and clinked sses again.


    Soon, both bottles were emptied. The wine, which Marcus had specially selected,


    was sweet, and it didn''t seem strong as they drank, but its effects began to creep


    in slowly.


    After the second bottle, Marcus


    stopped insisting that Natalie keep drinking. He took her hand, leading


    her back to the couch where she had been reading. Hey down with her, pulling her onto his chest


    ensuring she wasfortable.


    "Nat," Marcus whispered hoarsely, his fingers gently tucking her hair behind her


    ear. "Are you drunk?"


    Natalie tried to open her eyes wide, shaking her head. "I''m not drunk. I can still drink."


    Marcus smiled faintly. "Who am I?"


    "You''re Marcus," Natalie tilted her head, confused by the question. She reached


    up to touch his lips.


    His lips were beautiful—soft and inviting. The urge to kiss him grew stronger the more she touched them.