"Jerome, there''s nothing left to talk about," Wendy said, her voice cold and distant. "I''ve realized that no matter what I say, you won''t believe me or listen. I told you before that Yvonne was bad news, that she was a regr on the club scene, always with different men. You wanted to raise another man''s child, so I let you be. I was young once too; I know how important your ''goddess'' is to you. But I told you to keep her out of my sight. You love your father so much, you adore Joanna so much—go talk to them."


    "Mom, I... that''s not what I meant. I just can''t believe the father I''ve respected my whole life and the sister I''ve doted on would do this to me."


    "Then don''t believe it. I have work to do at thepany; I don''t have time for your whining." Wendy hung up and walked away without another word.


    Jerome''s arm fell limply onto the bed. Now even his own mother didn''t believe him. He closed his eyes in despair. As a cripple, the future stretched before him, a terrifying, uncertain void.


    Natalie''s surgerysted a full eight hours. Over the years, she''d asionallye in to handle special cases like this.


    When she finally emerged from the operating room, Herbert rushed forward. "Natalie, you must be exhausted. I had dinner brought in for you. Go get changed and eat something." He didn''t ask if the surgery was a sess; with her in charge, he had no doubt.


    Natalie pulled off her mask, her face etched with fatigue. She leaned against the wall and asked with a weary smile, "Aren''t you going to ask me if it was sessful?"


    Herbert''s smile was warm and refined. "Natalie, I''ve always hadplete faith in your skills. My mentor worships your mentor, and I worship you."


    A yful, proud smile touched Natalie''s lips, her voice teasing. "Herbert, we''re both exceptional. You could have done this surgery yourself. You were just too worried because he''s your brother. Don''t worry," she added gently, "the surgery was a sess."


    Atst, Herbert let out a huge, unrestrainedugh of relief. "Natalie, thank you. Seriously. Now go, get changed and eat." He excitedly pulled out his phone to call his aunt with the good news.


    After changing, Natalie had a quick dinner with Herbert before leaving the hospital: Wayne was already there to pick her up. The moment she got home, she copsed into bed without even saying a word to word to Queena.


    She woke up the next day around noon.


    Bright sunlight streamed through the window, and as she blinked her eyes open to the familiar room, she felt a moment of disorientation She''d slept so long her whole body felt boneless and rxed. She hadn''t even dreamed, a rare and peaceful urrence. Ever since she''d been reb?rn, she was often gued by nightmares of her past life, waking up in the middle of the night with a heavy heart.


    She smiled faintly. Perhaps Jerome getting what he deserved was the reason she''d slept so well.


    She got out of bed and called Herbert first.


    "Natalie." Herbert''s voice was cheerful; he was clearly in high spirits.


    "Herbert, how''s your cousin doing?" Natalie asked, standing by the window and watching Queena jogging in the garden below.


    "He''s recovering well, Natalie. I''ve been keeping a close eye on him, so don''t you worry. Just get some rest at home."


    "Good," Natalie said with a smile.


    After hanging up, she washed up


    and went downstairs. Her


    grandfather wasn''t home; he had probably gone for his morning walk. She went outside to find Queena, who had just finished a fap and was drenched in sweat.


    Seeing Natalie, she jogged over, panting. "Natalie, what''s with you sleeping till noon?"


    Natalie smiled. "And you? Looks like you just got up for your run."