Marcus kissed Natalie forcefully, yet she remained still and allowed him to do as he pleased. But of course, she didn''t respond in the slightest.


    Marcus continued kissing her for a while until he noticed how eerily cold and indifferent she was. There wasn''t a trace of emotion and warmth in her beautiful eyes, only a firm disapproval of his actions.


    "Nat, don''t look at me like that." Marcus'' voice was hoarse. "When you look at me like this, I..."


    He felt a trace of fear, so he didn''t finish his sentence. But he knew that she would understand.


    "Are you still going to give me all your shares in Holden Group?" Natalie asked indifferently. "Marcus, I''m giving you a chance to take back your words."


    "I won''t give you all of it, but I''ll give you half." Marcus gritted his teeth. "Nat, that''s the lowest I could go. I really don''t get it. Other women dream of marrying me just to get their hands on my money and shares, but you want nothing from me."


    As he spoke, he felt sad and aggrieved. "If you really love me, why won''t you ept the gifts from me?"


    "If you think I don''t love you, then let''s get a divorce now."


    Natalie remainedposed. She knew that the more shares she took, the heavier the responsibility would be.


    Back when Natalie was with the Langleys, she held Grace''s shares, so she had to make every decision for Langley Group. She had to work tirelessly and clean up Victor''s mess, all while ensuring he never found out.


    Those days of working overtime into the night and the crushing pressure weren''t things Natalie wanted to experience ever again.


    Langley Group was just a corporation in Amberton, and even then, the stress had been immense. She couldn''t even imagine how it was to manage Holden Group, a multinational conglomerate.


    She had Nouvelle Zara, Goodwill Pharmacy, and thepanies her biological parents had left her. From time to time, she had to treat patients and handle the charities Federrick had entrusted to her.


    Natalie had never minded having more money, but she would only take what was rightfully hers. She wouldn''t touch what didn''t belong to her.


    She understood that Marcus loved her and wanted to give her everything, but she didn''t want him to do so.


    A sense of security didn''te from a man giving her all his wealth. Instead, it came from within.


    After all, people change, and human nature was unpredictable. Now, Marcus loved her so much that he wanted to give her everything.


    But what if one day, he changed? When a man had a change of heart, he was capable of anything.


    If she didn''t take his money and he changed, he wouldn''t harm her. But if she took all his money and he changed, there was a chance he would kill her.


    Ever since Natalie discovered that Grace''s kindness toward her had been part of a grand scheme, she developed the habit of assuming the worst before doing a thing.


    She understood this mindset might be extreme, perhaps even wrong, but she didn''t care.


    If Marcus truly understood her, he wouldn''t push any further. If he didn''t, then she needed to reconsider whether their marriage wouldst a lifetime.


    "Nat, how can you say something like that?" Marcus looked at her in shock. "We just got our marriage certificate today. It hasn''t even been a full day, and you''re already talking about divorce?"


    "Marcus, I thought you understood me." Natalie lowered her gaze and pushed him away. She turned to pick up her phone. "Did I marry you for your shares and money?"


    Marcus fell silent. After a while, he shook his head. "No."


    The Walkers might not be as rich as the Holdens, but they were still the richest family in the country. This was even before the gifts that Charles had given to Natalie.


    Moreso, Natalie was Elim. Marcus had no idea exactly how much money she had, but he was certain that she was wealthy.


    "There''s a difference between you''re not after my money, and that I want to give it to you," he said.


    "Marcus, if you really want to prove your love for me by giving me something, there is one thing that I do want from you."


    Natalie looked at Marcus, scrutinizing him.


    Marcus met her mysterious gaze and asked, "What is it?"


    Natalie pressed a finger against his chest, right where his heart was. "Your heart."


    "Hmm?" Marcus nced down at her slender fingers. "My heart has always been yours."


    She shook her head. "No, I mean your actual heart."


    "Let''s sign an agreement!" She smirked. "If you ever betray me, I''ll rip your heart out and donate it to someone in need."


    Marcus was stunned.


    Natalie continued, "You can trust my skills. When I take out your heart, you won''t feel any pain."


    "Fine." He agreed. "Let''s sign it right now!"


    "No rush. We can do it when we get back. But now, take back the order you gave Ethan."


    Natalie smiled. She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. "Marcus,e home with me tonight."


    "But I want to take you home


    tonight." Marcus wrapped his arm


    around her waist. "I want to show


    Grandpa our marriage certificate.


    He''ll be happy to know we''re married.


    "Alright." Natalie agreed andy down on the mattress. She patted the spot


    beside her and said, "Marcus, let''s take a nap."


    "Okay." Hey down and pulled her into his arms. "Nat, I just sent Ethan a message to take back the order."


    She nodded. "Good. I don''t want your shares, but you can give me money. I want


    a lot of money. Give me all the money you make."


    "Okay," Marcus replied gently. There was a nket in the tent. He grabbed it and covered them both. "Nat whatever you want, it give it to you. If you don''t want something, I won''t force it on you. Okay?"


    "Mm, okay." Natalie closed her eyes. "Marcus, get some sleep."


    "Okay."


    She closed her eyes and gently rested her finger over his heart. His heartbeat was strong and steady, as if it was going to leap out of this chest andnd in her hands.


    Marcus gazed at Natalie, who was in his arms with her eyes closed, and kissed


    her forehead gently.


    "Sleep."


    Natalie nuzzled against his chest and fell asleep.


    Marcus wasn''t feeling sleepy. He just stared at her delicate face.


    Her eyes had always been alluring, but when she looked at him without any warmth or emotion, he couldn''t withstand it.


    He could''ve been more forceful, but she was even more unwavering and calmer. Her calmness was subtle. If he kept insisting, he would only seem unreasonable.


    Yet all he wanted was to give her everything.


    Marcus had to admit that he had lost. Even if he wanted to give Natalie the best of everything, if she didn''t want it, he couldn''t force it on her.


    But at least, she was in his arms. Now, she was his legally wedded wife.


    He would prepare a will in advance. If anything were to happen to him, everything


    he owned would belong to her.