"Alright, I know you mean well. I''ll buy myself something nice," Wendy said with a soft smile. "You''ve been tired too, so get some rest. I''ll figure out what to do about Natalie. She''s caused nothing but chaos since she came back. I''ll find her an apartment and have her live on her own." It was the best solution. She was still her daughter, after all, and she couldn''t just abandon her. A high school dropout with no stable ie-how had she survived thest four months? But then she remembered Natalie''s words, and a wave of disgust washed over her. She could onlypensate Natalie financially; anything else was impossible.


    Nathan''s original n had been to prevent Natalie from ever returning. So what if she was his biological daughter? A useless girl would only tarnish his reputation. Everything was meant for Joanna.


    "Alright," Nathan said, feigning concern. "She is our daughter, after all. We can give her that old, rundown ce on the edge of town. We brought her back under the guise of an adopted daughter anyway. If we give her that house, people can''t say we''re cruel."


    Wendy nodded. "Yes, that''s what I was thinking." Natalie, you can''t me your mother, she thought. You have only yourself to me. I can''t have a daughter who tries to destroy her parents'' happiness in my home.


    Sebastian returned to his cold, empty house and felt a strange sense of unease. He disliked having staff around, so besides the part-time cleaner, Natalie had always managed the household. He tugged at his tie, a bitterugh escaping his lips. Why was he letting a cruel woman get under his skin? But then he remembered those two years when he was blind, and how Natalie had been the one to meticulously care for him. The more he thought, the more agitated he became. He stood up and went upstairs to shower, the image of Natalie smiling brightly at another man tormenting him.


    Natalie, her grandfather, and Queena returned to Breeze Manor. Natalie immediately dragged Queena upstairs.


    "Hey, let go! Don''t bother me, I''m going to your study to read," Queena said, shaking her off.


    Natalie was baffled. "The books aren''t going anywhere. What''s the rush?"


    "I need to find a romance guide!" Queena dered passionately. "This time, I''m going to help you find a good man, someone who won''t take your heart and grind it into the mud."


    Natalie froze, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "Queena, thank you. I swear, my head is finally clear. I am never, ever going back to Sebastian." She Ran over and hugged her friend tightly. "Queena, I''m so sorry I made you all worry so much. It won''t happen again. From now on, I''m going to be my own person, build my business, and make Grandpa happy."


    Queena hugged her back, her heart aching for all the pain her friend had endured. That''s the spirit," she said softly. "No more lovesickness. I did a reading, by the way. You and


    Matthew are destined to connect. Now go put on a face mask You need to look your best forhin tomorrow. I''m going to hit the books."


    ?????


    "Okay, okay," Natalieughed. "Don''t stay up toote. Your room is right next to the study, so you can just sleep there when you''re done.". Queena happily disappeared into the study, drawn by its collection of rare books. Natalie went to her own room and copsed onto the bed. Looking around the familiar space, she smiled. She had a second chance.


    The next morning, Natalie was jolted awake by her phone. It was Sebastian. She


    remembered their conversation about going to City Hall.


    “Sebastian, is it time to go to the City Hall?" she asked brightly.