Sebastian frowned at her, then scoffed. He took off his suit jacket, ced it at the foot of the bed, and spoke with a deliberate casualness. "Natalie, what on earth is going on in that head of yours? I just want to fulfill my duties as a husband. I was narrow-minded before. I thought of you as just some girl from a small town and overlooked how exceptional you are. I kept you trapped by my side for two years, and during that time, your disappointment just kept building until you finally had enough to leave me. I''ve seen the error of my ways, I know I was wrong, and I just want to make it up to you."


    "Don''t think so poorly of me."


    Sebastian turned and went into the bathroom. He had never said anything like that before.


    Natalie watched his retreating back, her voice perfectly calm. "Sebastian, I don''t want anypensation from you. I chose to be by your side those two years. You don''t need to do anything, because I''ve always known exactly what I want. You could never trap me unless I allowed it."


    "I know what kind of life I want. Even if I lost myself for two years in love and family, I would havee to my senses in the third year and left you all."


    "There was another reason I didn''t divorce you sooner. You still needed the medication for your eyes, to make sure you wouldn''t go blind again. Three days before Joanna''s birthday, I gave you thest dose. I told myself then that the next time you asked for a divorce, I wouldn''t refuse. I would agree without hesitation." "I''ve always known that a life without love between two people is miserable."


    "I saw how crazy you were about Joanna. I was actually envious. You were madly in love with her. I was thinking about letting you two be together back then, so you don''t need to do any of this."


    "I held on for so long for a reason."


    A shudder went through Sebastian. It was true. Unless she allowed it, no one could keep her.


    She had refused to divorce him for his sake, and what had he done in return?


    He turned to face her, his gaze sincere. "Natalie, I already exined about Joanna. I used to think she was my savior, but now I know she isn''t. She''s just a liar."


    With that, Sebastian walked out.


    He had exined everything clearly to Natalie.


    Natalie stared nkly at his retreating figure and smiled, whispering to herself, "I''m sorry, Sebastian. I don''t dare to believe you again."


    Natalie changed into her nightgown andy in bed, her mind racing. Eventually, her thoughts drifted away, and she fell asleep.


    Sebastian returned to the room four hourster. Seeing that Natalie was already asleep, he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her. She was facing away from him, wearing a stip dress.


    The room light was on, and for the first time, Sebastian clearly saw therge burn scar on her back.


    He froze, his eyes fixed on the


    intricatework of white scars. t


    had been years, and the wounds had faded to white, but it was su obvious that she had been burned


    over arge area.


    He gently traced the scars on her back with his finger, his eyes filled with heartache. How had he managed to lose Natalie?


    It would never happen again.


    "Natalie, you still have feelings for me. I''ll work hard to make you fall in love with me again."


    He smiled softly,y down beside her, turned off the light, and went to sleep.


    ***


    The next morning, Sebastian woke up early to go to the office for a meeting.


    Seeing Natalie still sleeping soundly, he felt a pang of envy for her ability


    to sleep. She could stay in one. position and sleep straight through until morning.