Natalie stood her ground, unwavering in her decision. While Marcus did not want to back down either, he softened his approach instead of arguing.


    He said, "Nat, I promise I''ll do whatever you say, but I have to stay with you. You''re here alone in an unfamiliar ce, and there are three of them—maybe even more. If they try anything, and I''m too far away, I won''t be able to reach you in time."


    Marcus had learned to always expect the worst in people. Those two homeowners werepletely covered up, hiding their faces. Who knew if they were truly seeking medical help or had some other agenda?


    "Marcus, trust me. They''re not bad people." Natalie sighed and softened her voice. "Besides, I look like an olddy right now. What exactly do you think they could do to me?"


    She continued, "And you know how skilled I am. I can handle myself just fine. There are three of them and only one of you."


    Marcus reasoned, "Nat, don''t overestimate yourself just because you''re good at fighting. Numbers still matter."


    He nced toward Benson and added, "And Benson is a grown man. I was just talking to him outside, and I got some information out of him. He''s not just an assistant. He''s also their helper, bodyguard, driver, cook, and even their gardener.


    "So, either I stay here with you, or you give up on this case we walk away and forget about it."


    Natalie frowned. "That''s not happening. Marcus, you can''t interfere with my work, and you need to listen to me. Haven''t you heard of ''happy wife, happy life''? Listen to me, okay?"


    "No," Marcus replied tly.


    Natalie''s face darkened. She was so close to punching him. Since getting together, Marcus had always been easygoing, so why was he suddenly this stubborn?


    "Before I met you, I traveled alone all the time," she argued, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "I treated patients on my own and went wherever I needed to. I''m the miracle doctor, Elim. Do you think I earned that name for nothing?"


    Marcus was unfazed and remained firm. "I don''t care who you are. As long as I''m your boyfriend, I won''t let you stay in a stranger''s house alone. Anyway, there''s nothing to discuss."


    "Marcus-" Natalie was on the verge of exploding.


    She did not want to use the threat of breaking up against him. Since they were in a rtionship, they should not just throw around those words so easily.


    Marcus insisted. "Nat, I don''t care how independent you were before. Now that I''m your boyfriend, I won''t let you do things alone anymore. If you want me to listen to your every word, fine. But you can''t just kick me out whenever you feel like it.


    "And another thing-you said ''happy wife, happy life,'' but we''re not married yet, so technically, you''re not my wife."


    Natalie was stunned by Marcus'' words. She never expected him to say something like that just to stay. It seemed that he really was not afraid of pissing her off.


    Marcus reached out and ruffled Natalie''s white hair with hisrge hand. "Nat,e on. I''m staying, but only to keep you safe. I won''t interfere with anything else. That''s my only request. Is that okay?"


    Natalie hesitated for a long moment before finally responding, "I''ll ask the homeowners."


    She sighed, muttering to herself, "Ugh... what a mess! If I''d known rtionships were this much trouble, I wouldn''t have taken on this responsibility. I mean, what''s the worst that could happen to a grown man? He''ll live."


    Despite her grumbling, she turned and walked back toward Wesley and Laura. Honestly, she did not think it would be a problem for Marcus to stay. After all, these were his biological parents.


    They had stayed away from him all these years because they had no choice and Marcus was not the type to be unreasonable. If he knew the truth, he would not me them; he would only feel sorry for them.


    Natalie debated whether she should just tell him everything. However, the image


    of Laura''s sorrowful expression stopped her.


    She turned and shot Marcus a re. "Wait here."


    Marcus nodded, obedient for once. "Alright."


    As Natalie walked back inside, Laura remained standing by the door, bundled up from head to toe. Even though she wore sunsses, it was clear that her gaze was locked onto Marcus.


    The moment Natalie approached, Laura tensed. She opened her mouth as if to say something but could not find her voice.


    Natalie stated bluntly, "Mark won''t leave. He doesn''t trust anyone else to look after me, so he insists on staying. Mrs. Holden, why don''t we just let him stay?"


    Ntalie sighed and added, "He''s well-behaved. He won''t pry, and he''s not overly curious. Mrs. Holden, if he refuses to go, there''s nothing I can do. So, we might as well let him stay."


    Laura stared nkly in Marcus'' direction. That was her son, the child she had carried for nine months and endured excruciating pain to bring into the world.


    The very son she never had the


    chance to raise, never even had the chance to hold, before she fell ill and was forced to leave him behind. The son she had thought about every single day but never dared to face.


    "Mrs. Holden? Mrs. Holden?" Natalie waved a hand in front of her face.


    Laura snapped out of her daze. "Doctor, what did you just say?"


    Natalie repeated, "Mark won''t leave. Since he''s worried about me, let''s just have him stay."


    Laura hesitated. She wanted to be around him, but she feared passing her illness on to him.


    Natalie assured her, "Mrs. Holden, your illness isn''t contagious. Don''t worry. It was deliberately inflicted on you-it only affects you and won''t spread to anyone else. So, it''s perfectly safe for Mark to stay. I won''t be infected, and neither will he."  ?wnovel


    "Really?" Laura stared at Natalie, stunned. "It really won''t spread?"


    Natalie met her gaze with firm confidence. "I would never joke about something as serious as this."


    "That''s good... What a relief." Laura let out a shaky breath, visibly easing up. "I''ll have Benson prepare rooms for you."


    "Mark and I will share one," Natalie replied.


    "Huh?" Laura froze again, her brows furrowing beneath her sunsses. "That... doesn''t seem appropriate."


    "There''s nothing inappropriate about it," Natalie said with a casual smile. "Mark is my assistant and my student. Our rtionship is purely professional."


    Laura was not convinced. Then again, she could not think of a valid reason to refuse. Besides, Natalie was her only hope right now, and she did not dare risk upsetting her.


    She feared that if she did, Natalie might refuse to treat her. If that were to happen, she was doomed.