Natalie heard her phone ring. She sniffled, wiped her tears, and answered with a forced smile. "Wayne," she said, her voice thick with emotion.


    "Natalie, what''s wrong?" Wayne asked, his voice tight with rm. "Who hurt you? Why are you crying?"


    At that moment, all Natalie wanted was to let her guard down. She had a family too. She could cry to her brother and ask forfort. "I''m just so sad. I feel like my life is a tragedy. I have a ruthless family, and I fell in love with a scumbag. I want to get out of here. The air feels dirty, especially when I see that bastard Sebastian. The thought of him with Joanna makes my skin crawl. He doesn''t even deserve to be called human. I''ll make them both pay for their lies. When he was crippled and blind, Joanna ran off to another country with some other man. I spent a hundred million dors and a year of my life finding rare medicines to heal him. And what did I get in return? His baseless usations. How did I ever get involved with someone like that?"


    "Natalie, where are you right now?" Wayne asked urgently.


    Natalie''s sobs had subsided. She managed a smallugh. "I''m okay now, after venting to you. From now on, you guys are all I have."


    "Silly girl, didn''t I tell you? We''re your family. No matter what happens, you have to tell us first. Don''t waste your tears on people like them. You have to believe that you are, and have always been, exceptional. You are your own light, and you can light up the world for others too. Don''t cry anymore, you little fool. I''ming back tonight. What do you want me to bring you to eat?" Wayne''s voice was full of affection.


    Natalie smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. She thought for a moment. "Bring me a salt-baked chicken. And get some shrimp for Queena. She''ll be staying with us for a while."


    Hearing the calm return to her voice, Wayne sighed in relief. "Alright, I''ll get everything. Go home and get some rest. I should be there around six. And no more being sad over Sebastian. That scumbag isn''t worth it."


    "I know. He''s not worth my tears. Mwah! Mwah!" Natalie hung up with a smile.


    A good cry really did help. She pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned her tear-stained face and sticky eyshes. After a deep breath, She felt lighter She stood up and slowly made her way downstairs, hoping all traces of her tears would be gone by the time she reached the bottom so Queena wouldn''t worry.


    She never saw Sebastian standing in the shadows of the stairwellnding.


    Every word she had said echoed in his ears like thunder. It was Natalie who had saved him. Joanna had run off with another man.


    A cold darkness settled over Sebastian''s features, his face a mask of shadow in the dim light. The hand at his side clenched into tight fist. His heart pounded in his chest a frantic, chaotic rhythm of rage and shock.


    So, she knew.


    Downstairs, Wendy had made it outside but couldn''t find Natalie anywhere. Just


    as she was starting to panic, she saw Natalie emerge from the building, her eyes red and swollen.


    She rushed over. "Natalie, just now, I..."


    "There''s no need to exin, Mrs. Scott," Natalie cut her off. "Think what you want of me. But please don''t call me again if you have. evidence of my wrongdoing in the future, take it to the police. I will not see you again."