Laura''s eyes were red as she stared at Charles, her voice firm and resolute. She fought back tears, refusing to let them fall. Theplicated dynamics of the Holden family made her believe that returning would only endanger her.


    She thought it was better to break free now, while she was still young enough to start over. Laura did not want to stay tied to Wesley anymore. While he had been by her side all these years, it was her child, Marcus, who had given her the strength to keep going.


    Without Marcus, Laura was sure she would have given up during one of her darkest moments. As a mother, she had been separated from him too soon, and her only goal was to stay healthy enough to care for him. Now that Marcus had grown into an exceptional young man, she felt some relief, but not entirely.


    Even though she and Wesley never had a second child, with Cassie''s twisted mind, who knew what else she had done? She had drugged her own brother before, so who was to say she had not hidden another child somewhere, waiting for the right moment to cause chaos?


    Perhaps it was paranoia, but nothing was off the table when it came to someone as sick as Cassie. Laura did not dare stay in the Holden family, and she certainly did not want Natalie to stay in Holden Residence. The best solution was for Marcus and Natalie to move into the Walker residence or live separately on their


    own.


    While Laura had only met Marcus a handful of times, those moments were enough to show her how extraordinary he was. She could not burden him any longer.


    "But Laura," Charles said, his eyes welling up. "Wesley has been by your side all these years. How can he handle you suddenly asking for a divorce? You two have been through so much together, and now that you''re healed, why end it?"


    He continued, "If Cassie''s actions are bothering you if you''re still upset that she drugged Wesley-I''ll make sure she faces the consequences."


    Laura shook her head. "Father, I don''t care about the past anymore. I don''t want to think about who did what, or who ended up in whose bed.


    "Wesley has never wronged me. He has stayed by my side all these years, living in celibacy because of my health. Even though I''m cured now, I know my own body. I can''t drag Wesley down any longer.


    "Divorcing Wesley is the best thing for both of us. He deserves a normal life, and I deserve a fresh start. Please, Father. Let me go."


    As Laura spoke, she respectfully knelt before Charles again, bowing her head. Charles'' face was filled with sorrow. His fingers trembled slightly, but he remained silent for a long time.


    Standing at the doorway, Natalie had heard every word between Laura and Charles. But instead of reacting, her mind drifted to something else-how Marcus had held and kissed her.


    His lips had been soft, carrying a faint, fresh scent. Had he deliberately freshened his breath before kissing her?


    If Laura was determined to divorce Wesley, then Natalie had no doubt that Marcus would take his mother''s side. However, would he really move away with her? That did not seem likely. Marcus had been raised by Charles, and his bond with his grandfather ran deep.


    "Nattie,e here for a second." Natalie snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Charles'' voice.


    She turned toward them, steadying herself, then walked over. "Grandpa Charles. Laura."


    "Nattie, help Laura up," Charles said.


    "Okay." Natalie reached out to support Laura, and only then did Laura slowly rise to her feet. Her body was still weak, and kneeling on the ground for so long had sent a sharp pain shooting through her knees.


    The moment she stood up, her body swayed unsteadily. If Natalie had not been holding her, she would have copsed straight to the floor.


    "Laura, you shouldn''t kneel like that anymore," Natalie whispered near her ear. "Your body hasn''t fully recovered yet."


    Laura forced a bitter smile and shook her head. "Nattie, I''m fine. Father raised Marcus for me. Getting on my knees is the least I can do to show my sincerity. He''s been through so much because of me."


    Natalie stayed silent. She was focused on Laura''s well-being and did not want to get involved in the Holden family''s affairs. Even though Marcus was her boyfriend, she was not one to meddle in others'' personal struggles.


    "Nattie, Laura says she wants to divorce Wesley. What do you think?" Charles wiped the corner of his eye "I''m old now, and all I want is for this family to stay together and be happy. Seeing everyone doing well would let me die in peace.


    "After everything we''ve been through, and now that we''re finally reunited, this sudden talk of divorce breaks my heart. I don''t know what to do." Charles'' voice cracked, and tears streamed down his face.


    Ever since Hector helped them recover their lost and altered memories through hypnosis, Charles had been drowning in guilt and regret. The weight of it haunted him, leaving him emotionally drained and lost.


    "Nattie, I don''t know what to do anymore," Charles admitted, his sobs breaking through. "All of this is Cassie''s fault, but I''m her father, failed to raise her right, so the me falls on me. I''m the one who''s truly at fault."


    He continued, "Marcus doesn''t me me, but I me myself. Nattie, I don''t even know who to turn to anymore."


    "Father, don''t say that," Laura interjected, her eyes red and watery. "This isn''t your fault, so don''t me yourself. I just want to live my own life now. This isn''t about you or Wesley."


    Tears streamed down Laura''s face as she spoke. "For years, I''ve been living like a shell of myself, enduring constant pain. I''ve missed out on so much.


    "Now, just being able to step outside, breathe fresh air, and feel the sun on my face feels like a gift. I want to work again, to connect with people, to find the person I used to be."


    Charles wiped his tears and said,


    "But you don''t have to divorce


    Wesley to do those things. As his wife and a member of the Holden family you can still pursue what you want. Look at Nattie-she''s dating Marcus, but we''ve never asked her to quit her job or stay home as a housewife.


    "So Laura, please think about it again. As your father-inw, I''m begging you to


    give Wesley another chance, okay?"


    Charles turned to Natalie, his eyes pleading. "Nattie, please. Help me convince Laura. I''m counting on you."