He remembered it all too clearly: the night of Joanna''s birthday party, when he''d thrown the divorce papers at Natalie. The moment he had defended Joanna, he had watched the love in Natalie''s beautiful eyes crumble and vanish in an instant. Even then, he had arrogantly believed that she, who had always loved him so devotedly, would never leave.


    Now, he finally understood. No one waits forever. No one''s love is unconditional.


    "Keep investigating that man," Sebastian said, his voice raw and heavy. "I don''t care what it takes. Find out who he is."


    Sean studied his boss''s inscrutable expression, unable to guess what he was thinking. "Yes, sir. I''ve been handling the investigation personally." If they could just identify this man, maybe things would turn around.


    As Sean left, Sebastian''s eyes remained fixed on the photos Natalie had posted. Her smile was brilliant, captivating. Maybe a person like Natalie was a once-in-a- lifetime encounter. And if that was true, he refused to lose her.


    I''ll make it up to you, Natalie.


    He had Sean transfer the one hundred million for her previous medical expenses, adding another hundred million as interest.


    When Natalie came ashore, she saw the message from Sean. She immediately transferred the extra hundred million back.


    Attached was a simple note: [I don''t deserve this.]


    Sean saw the message and, without a word, showed the phone to Sebastian. "Sir, Ms. Sanders returned the extra hundred million."


    Seeing her words, Sebastian finally realized how deeply his careless remarks had wounded her.


    "I see," he said tly, dismissing Sean with a nod.


    Sean shook his head and walked out slowly.


    That afternoon, Natalie posted her haul on Facebook: four massive lobsters, two octopuses, and a few groupers. Still in her wetsuit, her eyes crinkled with a joy so pure it was infectious.


    A smile tugged at Sebastian''s lips. In the ces he couldn''t see, she was thriving. That vibrant, carefree smile burned itself into his mind, and he found himself looking at her picture with an expression of profound tenderness.


    Natalie spent three days with Zenobia, who was overjoyed. When it was time to leave, Zenobia insisted she take a car packed to the brim with fresh seafood.


    The day Natalie returned, Matthew also came back to town. His grandfather, Mr. Monroe Sr., had been taking her grandfather out frequently and Natalie was grateful that the old man was keeping her grandpa so happy and active. She picked out two cases of the finest seafood to send over as a thank you.


    When she arrived, Mr. Monroe Sr. and her grandfather weren''t back yet. Instead, Matthew, looking tired from his trip but as handsome as ever, answered the door. He''d lost some weight, making his features even more defined.


    He smiled and took the heavy boxes from her. "Natalie, you should have just called me. I would havee Over


    to get these "His voice was gentle, and as he looked down at her, a paparazzo hiding nearby snapped a picture of the tender moment, capturing Natalie''s radiant profile.


    By the time they stepped inside the vi, the photo had mysteriously found its way onto the trending topics online. Thete autumn evening was cool. Matthew, in a casual white sweater and Natalie, in a white hoodie, stood facing each other, creating a picture of cozy intimacy.


    [OMG, they are gorgeous! I ship them so hard!]


    [Did you see the way Mr. Monroe looks at her? It''s so gentle. I could drown in that gaze.]