"Fine," Sebastian agreed without hesitation.


    Hearing his immediate eptance, Joanna could barely contain her excitement. She personally took the maids and chef out to shop for groceries and even hired a five-star chef to prepare the dinner.


    At home, Nathan and Wendy also began their preparations. Jerome, as usual, was busy at the racetrack.


    In Sebastian''s office, his face darkened after hanging up with Joanna. His mother had left town years ago. How could Joanna know anything about her illness? Unless... she had never really left, and the information Sean had gathered was correct.


    Sebastian stood, his long fingers tapping lightly on his desk as he stared into space, a thoughtful, inscrutable expression on his face. He hadn''t been able to focus on work all day. His mind kept reying the words on the note Natalie had left in the medicine box.


    I hope my husband never has to take these again. Stay healthy.


    Those few wordsid bare her love for him. He had never truly been loved by anyone. He had protected Joanna because she, too, had been like a beacon of light in his dark world. He had always favored her. But what had Joanna ever done for him, other than take?


    Sebastian''s gaze deepened. He pressed the inte button and summoned Sean.


    A few minutester, Sean walked in with an eager smile. "Sir, what can I do for you?"


    Sebastian turned to him, his voice low. "Has Natalie been to the office?"


    Sean shook his head. "No. I asked around and heard she doesn''t have to be in the office. She just needs to manage the designs."


    Keith''s clever maneuver had turned theirpany into the fool of the industry. The designers they were now stuck with were utterly hopeless.


    Sebastian lowered his gaze, his eyes losing their light.


    "Prepare a gift. We''re going to the Scotts'' tonight."


    Sean blinked. He was going to see Joanna? So, in the end, he still couldn''t let go of his first love. Sean nodded and went to prepare the gift.


    Sebastian sank back into his luxurious office chair, leaning back with a tired sigh.


    Ding. His phone, lying on the desk, lit up.


    He straightened slightly, nced at the screen, and picked it up.


    The first thing that came through was a photo of Natalie standing on a beach. Her long hair was loose, and she wore a simple white sundress. Under the bright sun, a gentle breeze rustled her hair, a few strands dancing across her face. Her smile was as bright and radiant as the sun self. It was a picture of perfect serenity. It was his wife, Natalie. She possessed a beauty that words couldn''t quite capture.


    Then, another message from Julian arrived.


    [That''s Natalie. I ran into her at the beach. She''s here with this guy.]


    It was followed by a short video of Natalie on a man''s back. It was Wayne, and he


    was giving her a piggyback ride as they ran along the shore.


    Natalie''sughter was clear and joyous.


    "Faster, faster The waves are catching up! Look, even Queena is running away!" Her voice was yful and full of happiness he had never heard when she was with him SO different from the quiet, sensible woman she''d been at his side. This vibrant, lively Natalie tugged at his heart.


    Julian sent another text: [Sebastian, I have never seen Natalie this happy. You need to let her go.]


    Sebastian''s expression hardened as he read the message.


    [You have no right to meddle in my marriage.]


    Julian replied instantly: [She''s genuinely happy, Sebastian. You don''t love her. You love Joanna.]


    Sebastian''s gaze grew darker. Why did the whole world seem to know he loved Joanna, while he, the person in question, had no idea?


    He ignored Julian''s messages, his deep-set eyes fixed on the radiant smile on Natalie''s face, The emotion swirling within him was as vast and iprehensible as the sea.