"Natalie, I''m starving. Let me treat you to dinner."


    She smiled and nodded. "Alright, but you''ve been in there for two days. You should probably go home and change first."


    Marshall nced down at his clothes and sniffed. He did smell a bit ripe. "Fair point. I''ll head back to my ce for a shower. I''m starting to offend myself."


    "Okay. I''ll wait around here then, I don''t want to make an extra trip.”


    Marshall didn''t want to trouble her further. He pointed down the street. "There''s a pedestrian mall right over there. You two can browse for a bit. I''lle find you in half an hour."


    "Sounds good," Natalie agreed.


    With a grin, Marshall strode away.


    Natalie and Luna headed in the direction he''d indicated. Wye was a beautiful city, the streets lined with blooming seasonal flowers. Natalie found herself quite liking the ce.


    She hadn''t gone far when Sebastian, emerging from the police station, blocked her path. He stood tall and imposing, his presence casting a shadow over her. The sheer force of his aura was staggering, and she instinctively took a step back, only now remembering he was there.


    She frowned at him. "Can I help you?"


    His dark eyes were locked on hers. "When are you heading back?"


    Natalie shook her head. "I don''t know."


    "You''lle with me. On the private jet," hemanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Natalieughed, a sharp, humorless sound. "As I recall, you bought that jet the day Joanna came back. You once told me it was for her, and that I wasn''t qualified or worthy-to set foot on it."


    Sebastian''s breath hitched. He had, in fact, said those exact words.


    "That doesn''t count anymore," he said, his voice low.


    “But the damage is done," she countered coldly.


    "Sebastian, I used to have so much hope for you. Now I understand that when you invest too much hope in someone, you''re handing them the power to make you happy. You''re giving them the right to love you more than you love yourself. I see now that marriage isn''t a cage. It''s about mutual respect and support. So, I''m letting you two be together, which will also allow me to find my own happiness. My feelings for you were once as scorching as the sun; you filled every corner of my world. Seeing you unhappy ruined my appetite and stole my sleep. That all-consuming affection made me lose myself."


    "That''s why I held on for so long. But I''ve learned to let go now. I ask that you do the same and stop harassing me."


    She had learned her lesson. She had loved Sebastian fiercely, with everything she had, and she wasn''t ashamed to admit it. She had done what she did out of love. And she had endured far too much pain as a result.


    Sebastian flinched as if struck. She was taking back her love. The hurt was real, and it was his to bear. He stood there in silence.


    Natalie turned and walked away with Luna, a n for the evening already forming in her mind. She couldn''t let Sebastian ruin it.


    Sean sighed. This idiot. What had he done? He wanted to point out that after two years of Natalie''s devoted


    care,


    cafe


    e she wasn''t even allowed on his private jet. Yet Joanna, who had taken millions from him and done nothing in return, was treasured like a priceless gem.


    Back in the Scott family mansion, Joanna received the news that Natalie had rescued Marshall. She cursed Natalie''s name until she felt better then sent a message to her contacts. After hitting send, a sinister smile spread across her face.


    "Natalie,” she whispered, "just you wait. You''re going to die."