Adrian frowned slightly, looking at the trending topics on his phone. He was very curious. "Is Joanna really pregnant?"


    Julian shook his head. "I don''t know."


    He loved drama, but this particr drama was a big one.


    Adrian shot him a cold look. "Fine, don''t tell me. I''ll find out myself."


    Sebastian and Sean went straight to the parking garage. He was in a terrible mood.


    In the past, whenever he went out for business dinners, Natalie would call him, reminding him to drink less ande home early. There would always be a restorative soup waiting for him.


    But for nearly a year now, ever since Natalie left, no one urged him toe home when he was out at night.


    He took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat. "Let''s go home."


    Sean nced at him in the rearview mirror but said nothing and drove off.


    Forty minutester, they arrived.


    Sebastian looked at the dark mansion, his eyes filled with gloom.


    He told Sean, "You can head home and get some rest."


    It was the first time Sean had seen Sebastian so down. He didn''t say anything, but he knew what Sebastian was thinking.


    He was lonely. Back when Natalie loved him, if he came home at this hour, she would have been waiting for him.


    She would have made him herbal soup. Now, the mansion waspletely dark, and Sebastian''s heart sank even further.


    Sean understood Sebastian''s sorrow and decided to rub a little salt in the wound with a smile. "Well, Ms. Sanders is probably asleep. In the old days, when I dropped you off, I could have snagged a bowl of that herbal soup. It always helped me sleep so well."


    He bolted right after saying it.


    Sebastian was speechless.


    He felt like Sean had done that on purpose.


    Watching Sean run off, he took a deep breath and walked toward the front door of the mansion.


    He no longer held out any hope, but as he pushed the door open, disappointment still washed over him.


    Natalie wasn''t in the living room, and no light had been left on for him.


    He went straight upstairs to the walk-in closet to change.


    As he passed the hamper, he noticed that his pile of dirty clothes was gone.


    He looked up and saw them hanging neatly in the wardrobe.


    A wave of joy suddenly flooded his deste heart.


    He looked out the window,


    remembering the night Natalie had pushed him through the show. The scenery that evening had been beautiful, like a painting.


    The smile in her eyes had been so genuine, her affection so deep.


    He smiled as he changed his clothes and went to take a shower.


    After his shower, he dried his hair and, without a moment''s hesitation, walked to Natalie''s room next door.


    Natalie had left a bedsidemp on. She was sound asleep, her steady breathing making the room feel warm and peaceful.


    Sebastian knew Natalie was a heayy


    sleeper He quietly got into bed,


    pulled the softforter over


    himself, and pressed his body close to hers.


    Lying beside her, holding her soft, fragrant body, he could finally get a good night''s sleep every time.


    There were no childhood nightmares, none of the other chaotic thoughts.


    Sebastian felt that even though they had only slept side-by-side twice, he was already addicted to her.


    He was addicted to the sincere and passionate Natalie.


    Sebastian''s cold, lonely heart was soothed in that moment. He closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips as he drifted off to sleep.


    ***


    The next day.


    Natalie was jolted awake by the shrill ringing of her phone.


    Natalie had slept very soundly,pletely unaware of the world around her. Her one saving grace was that she slept so deeply at night that she always woke up refreshed.


    She fumbled for the phone on her nightstand and answered it, her voice still thick with sleep. "Hello?"


    Luna''s voice was frantic. "Natalie, you''re still sleeping? You need to check the news, something''s happened!"