Natalie met Sebastian''s cold, furious gaze. He was always like this, looking at her with disdain whenever something happened.


    He was never willing to trust her, not even once.


    She gave a cold, desteugh that seemed to hang in the snowy air, a thing of tragic beauty.


    The sight pierced Sebastian''s eyes, and he felt a pang of protectiveness he had never experienced before.


    And it was for Natalie.


    “Haha... Sebastian, I can say it as many times as you want. When you helped Joanna bully me time and time again, when you abandoned me over and over, did you never think that I woulde to hate you?"


    Sebastian''s heart clenched violently.


    He already knew the truth of what had happened, and now he was speechless, unable to offer any defense.


    She was attacked by Maxwell because he had thrown her out of the car on the highway.


    As her husband, he had given her nothing but pain.


    She was the only woman in the world who had ever truly loved him, and he had shattered her heart.


    The disappointment in Natalie''s eyes filled him with a wave of panic.


    Seeing his silence, Natalie continued, “Sebastian, I know you don''t want a divorce because of the inheritance rights. Because I once loved you, I haven''t forced the issue. The two-year mark ising up soon. When it does, I will file for divorce in court."


    By then, he would have full control of thepany and nothing holding him back. He would let her go.


    In her mind, Sebastian had always prioritized Joanna and his own interests.


    She had always known he didn''t love her. The only reason he was seeking her out now was because he felt guilty after learning some of the truth.


    And this version of Sebastian just infuriated her.


    Sebastian''s eyes filled with rm as he looked at Natalie''s unforgiving expression. She might have overlooked his past actions, but what happened on the highway was the final straw.


    He realized she knew everything.


    His gaze darkened, and his voice


    was as hoarse as the biting winter wind. Fine. When the two years are up, grant you a divorce. But not


    now."


    There was still one year left. That year was his only chance.


    Without another word, Sebastian turned and walked away.


    Natalie took a deep breath, pushing down the bitterness in her heart before driving through the gates.


    She parked the car in the garage and entered the house through a side door.


    The heating was on, and a wave of warmth enveloped her the moment she stepped inside.


    Theforting heat instantly soothed her cold, aching heart.


    Perhaps it was the familiarity of her own home that made her feel safe and eased her agitation.


    She checked the time. Zenobia''s due date was only a few days away. She needed to be there for her.


    Jerome was a monster, but Zenobia was her best friend.


    Natalie sent a message to Keith, telling him she would be out of town for a few days


    and to keep things running at thepany.


    She also asked him to start working on the designs for the Nayn Resort development.


    By the time she returned from the


    ind, thend Joanna had bought from Marshall would also be ready for development. When that happened, Joanna ang.)


    backing her were going to be furious.


    was


    She had nned everything meticulously, but she knew there could still be loopholes.


    People were unpredictable. Just


    because she knew what happened


    in her past life didn''t mean events


    would unfold exactly as she


    remembered she had to be prepared for anything.


    But today, seeing Joanna finally lose herposure had been satisfying.


    She had even been there to witness it firsthand. Natalie felt a surge of triumph.


    Just then, a message from Keith came through: [Got it. d you finally came to your senses and stopped wasting your youth on that jerk Sebastian.]


    Natalie paused when she read the message.