That was exactly what Natalie had been thinking. A genuine smile lit up her face, making her glow in the evening sun. "That''s what I decided, too. Let Sebastian and his first love have each other." In her second life, Natalie had learned that ghosts weren''t the scariest thing in the world; the human heart was far more terrifying.


    Zenobia was relieved to see Natalie so at peace. Joanna had schemed and plotted for one reason: to keep Natalie from returning and threatening her position as the family''s precious daughter. Her selfishness and cruelty were truly staggering.


    "I never liked Joanna," Zenobia confessed. "Even back in school, she and her little clique would bully me. You know what I was like back then-I didn''t care about my looks, wore thick sses, and was a total nerd who only knew how to study. But what else was a student supposed to do? I saw through her fake persona long ago, but the Scotts and Sebastian were blind to it. Even my mom told me not to hang out with her."


    "After what happened, my parents gave Jerome onest chance. It was myst chance, too, to let go. He kept insisting that we had framed him, that he had betrayed his goddess, Yvonne. In that moment, I gave up. Let him have his goddess. My family packed up and left overnight. When I found out I was pregnant, my mom wanted me to terminate it, but I couldn''t. The baby was innocent. Parents can never win against their children. I kept the baby, and now, everything is great."


    Zenobia looked at Natalie, a soft smile on her face. "You know, Natalie, I thought I''d be devastated after leaving Jerome. I had trailed after him since we were kids; everyone called me his loyal puppy, and I guess I was. But it''s been almost nine months, and I''m doing great. You realize you can live without anyone. The only person holding you back is yourself."


    Natalie understoodpletely. She peeled a lobster tail, the delicious taste making her eyes crinkle with a happy smile. "I know what you mean, Zenobia. It''s been almost half a year since I left Sebastian, and I''m so much happier now. I''m back with my grandfather and my brothers. We don''t have to spend the rest of our lives trying to please anyone, because we are precious, too."


    Zenobia smiled. If only they had learned that lesson sooner, they could have saved themselves so much pain.


    After dinner, Zenobia took Natalie for a walk along the beach. The shore was beautiful at night. Natalie snapped a few pictures and posted them on Facebook. That night, she and Zenobia shared a room. Besides Queena, she now had another dear friend.


    The next day was sunny and perfect. Zenobia arranged for a handsome diving instructor to take Natalie lobster catching. Natalie knew how to dive but Zenobia didn''t want to take any chances. After giving the instructor detailed instructions, she left for work.


    The midday sun was warm, the ocean a brilliant blue. Natalie took a


    few selfies, some with the


    handsome instructo


    and posted a


    nine-photo coge with the caption:


    [Hoping every day is as happy as this one.]


    Sebastian hadn''t heard from Natalie since the day before. He sat in his office his handsome face dark and stormy. She hadn''t


    and


    She hadn''t answered her


    phone all night. Where on earth was she?


    He buzzed his inte for Sean. Sean was swamped. With Ivan handling overseas affairs, he was drowning in work, trying to find a new designer.


    "What is it, boss?" he asked, rushing in.


    Sebastian''s face was grim. "Where is Natalie?"


    Sean was bewildered. "Boss, how would I know where Ms. Sanders is?"


    Sebastian''s eyes narrowed into dark, intense pools. "Her phone is off. Find out where she is."