Years ago, when he was injured, she had left him, confident that he would always love her, always wait for her. She had taken his devotion for granted. But this


    time, she felt a creeping uncertainty.


    Back in her office, Natalie dismissed Luna, needing a moment alone. She sat on the floor by the window, gazing out at the bright sunshine. Her heart felt cold, a shadow of sorrow in her brow, her beautiful eyes empty and distant. She hated this life, hated the endless scheming.


    But she knew that wherever there were people, there would be conflict.


    She allowed herself a moment of quiet despair, but she wouldn''t surrender. Even if everyone betrayed her, she would keep living, bravely. In this life, she wouldn''t just survive; she would thrive. She would live a brilliant, beautiful life, marry a man who truly loved her, and find her baby.


    A tear traced a path down her cheek. She wiped it away, surprised. She had a soft heart; the tears came even when she didn''t want them to.


    "Hmph..."


    ." Natalie took a deep breath, looking at the towering skyscrapers outside. The weight in her chest suddenly lifted.


    She stood up, wanting to scream, but the only sound that escaped was a trembling, choked whisper. "You can do this, Natalie!"


    She cried andughed at the same time, finally feeling a sense of release. She had only been betrayed by those closest to her. It was nothing. Even the closest people could betray you for their own gain. She had been through so much in her past life; there was no reason to get hung up on it now.


    Her mind clear, she went to the restroom to wash her face. When she came out, she returned to her desk and began to draw. The coboration with the Monroe Group was fast approaching.


    She called Matthew to tell him about the stolen designs. He was overseas and, after telling her not to be too upset, quickly hung up. Knowing how busy he was, Natalie didn''t bother him again.


    ...


    Nathan woke upte.


    The sunlight outside was blinding. He struggled to open his eyes, still feeling exhausted and disoriented, momentarily unsure of where he was.


    Suddenly, he felt a dampness beneath him.


    His mind cleared instantly.


    He shot up, throwing back the covers. The acrid smell of urine hit him.


    "Ah!" Nathan cried out in horror.


    Staring at the wet patch on the sheets, he felt a sense of utter humiliation. He was a grown man How could he have done something like this? He had wet the bed like a child.


    "This... this..."


    As he stared in shock, the door creaked open. Wendy walked in, and Nathan


    quickly pulled the nket over the stain.


    Wendy frowned. "What''s that smell? It''s awful."


    Nathan''s face flushed. "It''s... it''s


    the office?" he asked, his smilemore paised than a grimace. Content,


    nothing. Wendy, aren''t you going et


    Wendy shook her head. "I was there, but I forgot a file. I came back to get it and didn''t see you, so I came to check. Are you not managing thepany at all anymore? How can you sleep in thiste? You''ve been running thispany for decades with little to show for it." She shook her head in disappointment and left.


    Hearing the door close, Nathan let out a huge sigh of relief, his face a mask of despair. What is happening to me?


    He scrambled out of bed to find clean clothes. When he opened the closet, his expression turned to one of sheer terror.