"Mrs. Walker, please rest assured. Even if I go bald myself, I won''t let a single strand of Nat''s hair be harmed," Marcus promised seriously. "I will never let her get hurt."


    "Good, that''s all I need to hear." Charlotte smiled warmly and opened her arms toward him. "Marcus,e here. Let me give you a hug."


    Marcus was confused.


    Seeing that he didn''t move, Charlotte simply nudged William. "Honey, go hug Marcus. He never had a mother''s love, nor a father''s. If I''m giving him a hug, you should too."


    William, ever the devoted husband, immediately stood up and embraced Marcus. "Marcus,e here. Let me give you a big hug full of love."


    Marcus was at a loss for words.


    Natalie stood to the side, smiled mischievously, and winked at him as if to say, "See? My mom and dad can be yours too."


    Marcus instantly understood what she tried to say, and a wave of indescribable emotion washed over him. His usually cool, striking eyes glistened with an unspoken warmth.


    "Alright, eat up! Once you''re done, you should get going!" Charlotte watched the interaction between Natalie and Marcus withplicated emotions.


    She had wanted to keep Natalie at home for a few more years, letting her enjoy a life of ease andfort. But Natalie had always been independent-nothing like Emma, who only cared about the Walker family''s wealth and status.


    Natalie was their pride. And so, if she wanted to spread her wings and fly, as her parents, they would let her.


    Marcus was the best by every criterion of a man in Dithoria.


    Their engagement had been set since childhood, but misunderstandings had led them down a moreplicated path.


    Still, that winding road had ultimately led them back to where they were always meant to be.


    "Marcus, I''m entrusting Nat to you. Make sure no one from the Langley family, or anyone else for that matter, ever bullies her," Charlotte said seriously.


    Marcus nodded solemnly. "I understand, Mrs. Walker. You and Mr. Walker can rest easy."


    "We''ve always trusted you," William said. "Nat only recently returned to us, and all we want is for her to be cherished. We have no objections to you being together, but you''d better not mistreat her.


    "Don''t scold or punish her if she does something wrong. Tell me instead. I''ll bring her home myself."


    The implication was clear. No matter what, William would always take Natalie''s side.


    Marcus nodded firmly. "Mr. Walker, you have my word. That will never happen."


    "Good," William said. "Darling, have you packed everything for Nat?"


    "Yes, it''s all ready. Noah already loaded everything into the car."


    "Once you''re finished eating, you should get going."


    Charlotte turned to look at Natalie. "Nat, I''ll believe in you."


    "Thank you, Mom," Natalie said softly.


    After breakfast, William and Charlotte walked them to the car. The Walker family''s butler had stayed up all night preparing snacks for the journey, packing them neatly into small bags before cing them in arger one in the backseat.


    Marcus opened the car door for Natalie, helping her inside before getting in himself. As the window rolled down, Natalie waved goodbye.


    "Nat, call us when you arrive," Charlotte said, reluctant to part with her daughter. "And don''t let Marcus take advantage of you!"


    "Mom, I know," Natalie said before leaning over to hug her. "You and Dad take care of yourselves too. Eat well and sleep well. I''ll bring you gifts when Ie back."


    "Alright, sweetheart."


    Charlotte''s eyes turned red. "My dear, remember not to be too soft-hearted when you get back to Amberton!"


    "Don''t worry, Mom. I know what to do."


    She knew exactly what Charlotte was worried about. After all, she had grown up


    in Amberton, and she used to treat Grace wholeheartedly.


    Charlotte was simply afraid that she might be deceived again upon returning.


    "Drive safe."


    "We will."


    "Alright, let''s go."


    "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!"


    "Goodbye, sweetheart."


    As the car slowly pulled away,


    Natalie turned her head and sawet


    Charlotte and William standing at the gates, watching her leave with a look of deep reluctance.


    Only when the Walker residence had disappeared from view did she softly say, "This is my first time leaving home since returning to the Walker family."


    "Mr. and Mrs. Walker will miss you a lot," Marcus said.


    "Yes, Mom and Dad treat me very well."


    Just speaking of them filled her heart with warmth. In the beginning, she hadn''t known how to act around them.


    But Charlotte had been gentle, and William had been patient. They respected her boundaries, carefully and gradually easing their way into her heart.


    Over time, as she sensed their sincerity, her defenses melted away. Their bond deepened, growing stronger and more natural with each passing day.


    "They''ve always respected me," she said softly.


    Then, she looked at Marcus with bright, serious eyes. "Marcus, my parents can be your parents too."


    She continued, "I know we''ll find what we''re looking for in Amberton this time." "Yes, we will," he said, interlocking their fingers.


    As the wind rushed in through the open window, it brushed their faces and yed with Natalie''s hair, making her look even more beautiful and at ease.


    Wanting to spend more time with her, Marcus had chosen to drive to Amberton himself, taking his time.


    At each stop along the way, he had Noah park the car so they could stretch their legs, take in the sights, and sample the local delicacies.


    It felt more like a road trip than a mission.


    "Marcus, I want to go to Scarlet Hill first," Natalie said as they walked together. "You''lle with me, right? Say yes!"


    "Of course," Marcus replied, though his expression shifted slightly. He worried that she might be disappointed when they arrived.


    "Great! Then, we should stop dawdling and pick up the pace!" Natalie grabbed his hand, quickly pulling him back toward the car.


    Once they reached Amberton, she nned to visit a mysterious patient first, then look for Marcus'' parents.


    As for Marcus, he could either stay at the hotel and wait or apany her- whichever he preferred.


    Back in the car, she told him to close his eyes and rest while Noah took over the wheel. Meanwhile, she pulled out her iPad and opened an email that Connie hadpiled for her.  s?novel


    The patient had been sending daily updates, and her condition had worsened as time passed. At first, the symptoms only appeared on the 15th and 30th of each month. Now, they were urring every ten days.


    Natalie frowned as she read thetest report.


    Something felt off. This didn''t seem like a typical illness at all. In truth, it felt more


    like some kind of dark, insidious curse at work.