Natalie sighed inwardly before speaking calmly. "Grandpa Charles, I''m not Laura.


    I haven''t endured the pain she''s been through, nor have I spent every day with Wesley. If you''re asking for my opinion, all I can say is that I respect Laura''s decision."


    She continued, "Grandpa Charles, Laura was my patient. Before taking her case,


    I didn''t know she was Marcus'' mother. My job is to heal, and not interfere in personal matters."


    Charles gave a bitter smile. "You''re soposed. You never let yourself get involved, do you?"


    Natalie smiled faintly, her tone steady. "Grandpa Charles, are you saying I''m cold and selfish?"


    "Nattie, I didn''t mean it that way. Don''t take it too personally," Charles replied quickly.


    "Alright, Grandpa Charles," Natalie responded simply.


    "Laura, you haven''t seen Wesley yet. Why don''t you talk to him first? If, after your conversation, you still want a divorce, I''ll respect your decision," Charles said, his voice almost pleading.


    It was rare for someone as authoritative as Charles to speak in such a vulnerable tone. Laura hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Okay. I''ll listen to you, Father."


    "Good. I''ll call Wesley in, and you two can talk," Charles said, standing up.


    Sheldon hurried over at this moment to support him, saying, "Mr. Holden Senior, take it slow."


    "I''m fine," Charles replied, though he leaned on Sheldon as they left the room.


    Once they were gone, Laura turned to Natalie. "Nattie, do you think I''m being ungrateful or selfish?"


    When Natalie stayed silent, Laura sighed bitterly. "I can''t get past the mental block in my mind."


    Natalie still did not respond. She knew Laura was not necessarily looking for advice but just needed someone to listen. However, even a single word from someone else could make Laura doubt her decision.


    Natalie had always followed one rule since bing a doctor under Federrick''s guidance. She never interfered in her patients'' personal lives. It was a rule Federrick had drilled into her when she first became Elim.


    She had treated wealthy clients before and witnessed plenty of family scandals, but she remained detached, focusing only on healing and moving on. Since she always disguised herself, no one could find or recognize her after she left.


    Right now, very few people in the Holden family knew her true identity, and they had all sworn to keep it a secret. More importantly, she was Marcus'' girlfriend. It was perfectly natural for her to be by his mother''s side, which meant she had a valid excuse to avoid answering Laura''s questions.


    Laura waited for a while, but when Natalie still did not say anything, she realized she would not be getting an answer.


    "Laura."


    Laura was still debating whether to press Natalie for an opinion when Wesley''s voice rang out.


    "Laura!" He strode into the room, his urgency evident in every step.


    As soon as he saw Laura—healthy, standing, no longer suffering—his eyes turned red. Without a word, he rushed forward, pulled her into his arms, and held her tightly.


    "Laura, you''re finally better. You don''t have to suffer anymore," Wesley choked out, tears streaming down his face.


    "Thank God! Thank you, Natalie, and thank you, Mr. Langton. Laura can finally live a normal life again."


    Wesley cried openly, holding Laura tightly. Sheldon had warned him about Laura''s decision to divorce, but Wesley refused to ept it. He would never agree to a divorce.


    "Wesley, let me go. I can''t breathe," Laura protested, struggling weakly in his arms. Her frail bodycked the strength to push him away, her energy no match for even an eight-year-old child.


    "Mr. Holden, let go of Laura," Natalie said firmly, stepping forward and pulling Wesley away without worrying about politeness.


    Once free, Laura gasped for air, her face pale and her chest heaving. She shot a cold re at Wesley and said, "Don''te near me."


    "Laura, I..." Wesley stammered, his voice breaking as he saw how distressed she was. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to hurt you."


    Laura finally caught her breath and sat down. Natalie handed her a cup of herbal tea. "Laura, drink this. It''ll help your recovery," Natalie said gently.


    "Thank you, Nat," Laura replied, taking small sips of the tea. It was bitter at first but left a sweet aftertaste, warming her body as it settled in her stomach.


    Feeling slightly better, Laura steadied herself and looked at Wesley, who was still in tears. "Wesley, sit down. We need to talk."


    "I won''t sit," Wesley refused, shaking his head. "Laura, please don''t divorce me. Whatever I did wrong, I''ll fix it. Cassie is my sister-my blood sister. I never had any inappropriate thoughts about her.


    "I remember everything now. She drugged me, but I fought it. I locked myself in the bathroom and used your razor to cut myself, using the pain to stay in control."


    Wesley broke down, sobbing. "Laura, I never betrayed you. I never touched Cassie. Her twisted schemes didn''t work. Please believe me. I know you''re angry and hurt. You can hit me, yell at me, but please don''t leave me. I can''t live without you."


    He dropped to his knees in front of Laura. "I even went to doctors and used scar removal treatments to hide the marks from that night. Laura, I''d rather die than lose you. Please, think about us. Don''t do this."


    Wesley tried to reach for Laura''s legs, but she moved them away, her eyes welling up again. "Wesley, I''ve cried too many times over the years because of you. Can you stop making me cry now?"


    She continued, "Whether you had feelings for Cassie or not, whether anything happened between you two, it doesn''t matter to me anymore. I just want a divorce.4 want to leave behind being your wife and thedy of the Holden family. I want to live my own life now."


    "Wesley, if you love me, let me go. I''m begging you," Laura said, tears streaming down her face. "I''m tired of holding onto the past. Loving someone is exhausting, and hating someone is even worse. I''ve wasted too many years. I want to cherish every day I have left.


    "If I stay with you, I don''t know what Cassie might do next. I just want peace and stability. Wesley, I love you, but if loving you means living in constant fear and anxiety, then ''d rather be selfish. I want to love myself. Can you understand that?"


    Laura''s words left Wesley stunned. He stared at her, speechless. Then, without


    warning, Wesley coughed violently and spat out blood, copsing in front of


    Laura.