Natalie handed him a container of seafood chowder. "Eat something. I caught the seafood myself."


    He sat down, a smile he couldn''t quite suppress spreading across his lips as he looked at the beautiful insted container.


    Natalie passed him a spoon. "Go on. I also brought some ribs, fish, and chicken. I put everything in the fridge. Do you know how to make soup?"


    Natalie asked with a smile.


    "That''s great." Natalie went to put the groceries away, sealing the ingredients in bags before cing them in the freezer.


    Watching her,n let out a softugh, a sound like a gentle hook tugging at one''s heart.


    After putting everything away, Natalie returned.


    She had also brought a few sets of clothes forn. "Ian, winter ising, and it''s going to get colder. Ourpany''s down jackets and coats are very good. I brought a few for you, and some for your grandmother too."


    She gestured to the bags by the door.


    "Okay. Thank you!" His voice was cheerful. It felt wonderful to be genuinely cared for.


    "Then hurry up and eat." Natalie nced down and saw her phone vibrating. "I need to take this call outside," she said.


    "Mm-hm." His ears were red, and he didn''t dare look up.


    Natalie didn''t notice. She stood up and went outside to answer the call.


    It was from Sebastian.


    "Hello. Are you calling about the divorce?"


    That was the first thing she said.


    On the other end, Sebastian was silent.


    Sebastian stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, looking down at the city below, a cold arc forming on his lips.


    "Natalie, have you forgotten what I said? A


    bet


    dead body." His voice was calm but resolute.


    se will happen over my


    Natalie, even if you''ve forgotten how to love me, I will make you love me again.


    He wasn''t used to her being gone.


    She had left so decisively, just walking away.


    She hadn''t taken a single thing from the vi.


    It wasn''t untilst night that he realized she hadpletely let go of their past.


    Natalie''s brow furrowed, and her eyes unexpectedly reddened.


    She took a deep breath, her voice choked with emotion. "Sebastian, I... I already died once. You killed me with your own hands. You killed me. Sebastian, as I was dying, I was still hoping you woulde and save


    ge but you killed me inste??


    Sebastian, on what grounds can you refuse a divorce? This time around, I will never give you the chance to kill me again. The ones who deserve to die are you, Joanna, and the rest of the Scott family."


    Every word Natalie spoke wasced with profound hatred.


    She hung up the phone and leaned against the wall. Last night''s nightmare still clung to her.


    She felt sick, her body trembling as she slowly slid to the floor, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.


    So much hate, so much pain. She was on the verge of breaking down.


    Sebastian''s phone slipped from his


    fingers. Every one of Natalie''s


    usations.felt real, as if she w speaking the literal truth.


    She hated him that much. If their roles were reversed, he would have probably killed


    the other person.


    He closed his eyes. In the end, it was he who had allowed Joanna to harm her.


    At that moment, he finally admitted it.


    Natalie had every right to hate him.


    ...


    At the hospital.


    Natalie struggled to suppress the hatred boiling inside her before returning to the


    room.


    She looked up and saw a woman walking into the room. She froze. What was she doing here?