"You really don''t get it?" Natalie asked, exasperated. "You and Joanna are a perfect match. A couple of lunatics."


    She grabbed her bag and walked out the door.


    Something was strange, though. Normally, she''d wake up to a barrage of harassing messages from Joanna. Why was there nothingst night? On such a momentous asion, Joanna should have been bombarding her, gloating about her impending marriage to Sebastian.


    At the door, she ran into Wayne, who was just returning from his morning run. He was sweaty but smiled indulgently at her. "Our little princess is awake. Are you hungry? I''ll have your favorite breakfast sent right up."


    "Hehe, thanks! I''ll wait for you and Queena in the restaurant," Natalie chirped, her voice sweet and her smile pure.


    From the room, Sebastian could see that genuine, unadulterated smile. The Natalie who was nothing in their eyes was a princess in someone else''s. He had no idea that her sharp business acumen and decisive style were qualities that even he would find formidable. Once a woman sheds her obsession with a man, she can be truly exceptional.


    Wayne reached out and ruffled her hair. "If you''re hungry, go on ahead. I''ll join you after a quick shower. Queena is probably sleeping in. You should be more like her, Natalie. Love yourself more. Don''t get up so early. Sleep until you wake up naturally, do whatever you want. I''ll always have your back."


    He started to leave, then remembered something. "Natalie, you know those Lumina diamond earrings you wanted a while back? The style you saw is officially out. I already bought them for you. They should arrive in a couple of days. Our princess deserves the best."


    "Thank you!" Natalie beamed, her voice impossibly sweet. Her eyes welled with tears. In her past life, how had she managed to lose the people who truly loved her? It was all because she was blinded by a foolish love. In the end, she had gotten them all killed.


    "Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.


    Wayne''s expression darkened. "What''s wrong? Did that horrible Joanna bother you again?"


    Natalie quickly shook her head. "No, I''m just... I''m just so happy."


    "You scared me for a second. Go on to the restaurant. I''ll be right there." Wayne jogged off toward his room to shower.


    Natalie grinned foolishly. Wayne was the best.


    Sebastian watched the tender scene unfold, a sour feeling churning in his gut. He stepped out of the room "Natalie," he asked gruffly, "what exactly is your rtionship with


    him?"


    Natalie had almost forgotten he was there. She shot him an annoyed look. "What does that have to do with you?"


    "Natalie, you are still my wife. Getting cozy with other men is..."


    "Shut up, Sebastian," she snapped. "You have no right to say anything to me, and you certainly have no right to talk about Wayne. You''re the one who''s rotten to the core, refusing to divorce me while carrying on with Joanna."


    "What right do you have to question me? Please, unless it''s about the divorce, don''t evere near me again."


    Fed up, Natalie stormed off toward the restaurant, wishing she could banish Sebastian to the ends of the earth.


    Sebastian''s eyes were fixed on her retreating back as he followed her.


    At the restaurant, the head chef saw Natalie and greeted her with a warm smile. "Young Miss, you''re here."


    Natalie smiled back. “Leo, I''m starving. I''d like the lobster, please."


    "Of course! The Young Master already ced the order. It will be ready shortly. Please, have a seat."


    After thanking him, Natalie chose a table by the window. A momentter, Sebastian sat down directly across from her.


    Natalie was baffled. "Sebastian, are you a ghost? Why are you haunting me? Your ego is so massive, not even the coean out there cou contain it."