Every time the topic resurfaced, it felt like tearing open an old wound.It was raw and painful!"Nat," Cedric began.What should he say? What could he possibly say at this moment? That his words were merely outbursts? Though he spoke in anger, he never truly intended for Isabella to have Natalie's eyes."You never believed in me, so why ask?" Natalie's voice was tinged with bitterness."I just wanted to-""Why bother putting on such an act?!" she interrupted.Stunned, Cedric could only wonder...Was this the image he held in Natalie's heart now? "Whether you believe me or not, I never truly intended-""Regardless of your intentions, everything went to Isabella back then. As for me, I was blind and trapped. I couldn't even escape the fire."Did it hurt?Confronted with these painful memories, Cedric felt as though his heart was being crushed. The pain was overwhelming and despairing. At that moment, he even wished that the one who perished in the fire was him instead.
Indeed, he was undeserving! At what point had Cedric become unworthy? Cedric had once claimed that Isabella had given everything in her final moments, sacrificing all for Natalie. As for him, he had endured immense hardships to reach this point."Cedric, neither of you deserve forgiveness! This... is your retribution, do you understand?"Even if Isabella had paid the ultimate price for her in the end, Natalie felt no gratitude. Instead, she believed it was the price Isabella owed. And for all the despair Cedric had endured to get here, he was also undeserving of forgiveness in Natalie's eyes. This was the pain and despair he was meant to endure!"Nat!"Hearing Natalie utter these cold words, Cedric felt a crushing pain in his chest. It was almost suffocating, and it felt like he couldn't even hear his own voice.The pain was intense, and the weight of it was overwhelming!The pain stemmed from knowing she had endured so much anguish and despair…!"I'm now Irwin's fiancee
"A vivid existence?Before she could fully grasp the implications, Cedric continued, "But right now, Nat... I truly wish this were just a dream."Indeed.Just a dream.In their past life, despite everything that transpired between them, they only had each other in the end.She didn't have Irwin!In Cedric's world, Isabella wasn’t what Natalie had imagined her to be. But it didn't matter anymore. Natalie seemed utterly indifferent to all of this.She didn’t want to hear anymore and had no desire to explore what these truths meant in her world.She just didn't care anymore.She didn’t care about the truth, about the significance of everything, all because... she didn’t care about him anymore.In her world, there was Irwin, and in his... there was Kayla, whom he couldn’t simply abandon.The path they were on now felt like a dead end. Cedric truly wished... that this was merely his dream, longing to return to the world that was solely theirs…When it was just the two of them.
Shortly after, Irwin arrived!Cedric's men forcefully stopped him. The tension between them was obvious, as if they were on the brink of a major confrontation. "Make him leave!" Cedric's voice dripped with icy disdain and anger.At that moment, Natalie caught a fleeting emotion in his eyes. It seemed like... sorrow. Yes, it was a momentary glimpse of pain.She clearly saw those emotions in his eyes.Could it be that Cedric felt pain concerning Irwin? But why? "Yes, Your Excellency," the butler nodded in acknowledgment and departed.Natalie shifted her gaze away from Cedric's profile to the window. Rain pelted down, hitting the banana leaves. It made a rhythmic sound that felt suffocating, mirroring her emotions.When had Natalie started disliking the rain? Back when she was with Cedric, she used to adore it. Cedric had a peculiar habit. Rainy days were his days off, which was more sacred than Sundays. Whenever it rained, he'd prefer to be at Scarlet Villa with her.
Cedric was silent, and his throat tightened instantly. Yes. Cedric had to admit that everything that happened to Natalie was undeniably cruel. Numerous times, he had tried to articulate his feelings on the matter. Yet, just like now, words failed him. After all, the consequences span two lifetimes.Natalie had made it abundantly clear. Regardless of what he and Isabella had sacrificed for her, she would never forgive them for everything she had suffered.It was their retribution.And now...!Before he could say anything, Natalie pressed on, "You were cruel to Luna when you tried to save Kayla."For a moment, Cedric felt a dizzying emptiness, and his mind went blank.Cruel?How could he be cruel to his own daughter? "No, Nat!""I know you didn't intend it, I know! But... you did it anyway!" She spoke each word with unwavering conviction. It was as if she was branding him with sin, a burden too heavy for Cedric to bear.Between them, a divide had grown. It was the star
Natalie stepped forward.When Irwin caught sight of her fragile figure, his eyes dimmed momentarily. When she stopped by his side, he swiftly removed his trench coat and draped it over Natalie's head. Pulling her close to him, he whispered with a tone of reproach, "Did he let you out like this?!"His crisp breath lingered by Natalie's ear, and not far behind... she could feel a burning gaze fixated on her.Natalie took a deep breath and refused to look back. Faced with Irwin's tenderness, she calmly said, "Let's go."Irwin was silent.Meeting the piercing crimson eyes from a distance, Irwin's lips... curled into a bitter smile!Who had won in this scenario? Neither of them! Natalie seemed too composed, too cold—as if she had been stripped of all emotion.Irwin ushered Natalie into the car. This time, Cedric's men didn't intervene. Everything proceeded smoothly.Inside the car, Natalie gazed at the unfamiliar surroundings, her eyes still clouded with emptiness."Do you
There were times when Cedric had uttered these words to Natalie repeatedly.How was he back then, especially concerning Isabella's matter?He would repeatedly assert that she should pay the price for her actions. He arrogantly believed everything he saw and heard, trusting the rumors from outside. Yet, he never trusted her.No matter how many explanations she provided, all she received in return was his cold retort, "Natalie, this is the price you should pay." Indeed, those were the words she had heard most then."There's no 'should or shouldn't.' They merely chose to follow you," Natalie said as she sipped her milk.Her tone was layered with complex emotions.Upon hearing this, Irwin stiffened momentarily. Then, he glanced at Natalie and said in a gentle tone, "Alright. Let's not talk about this anymore.""...""Now that you're here in Wexford, what's your plan?" Irwin asked Natalie.Plan?When Irwin asked that question, the depth and sharpness in Natalie's eyes intensif
Natalie looked at Irwin with a smile on her face.While she smiled, the feeling she gave Irwin was both profound and dangerous!"What do you think I intend to do?"Irwin remained silent.Natalie sipped the glass of water before her. Without waiting for Irwin to respond, she stood up and said with a smile, "As your fiancee, I believe... I'm free to move around as always, right?""Of course.""You don't have to wait for me for lunch."Having said that, Natalie turned and walked away.Irwin watched her retreating figure.At that moment, his heart felt as if it was pounding rapidly.-Daphne was waiting for Natalie when she exited the manor. Clyde had assigned Daphne to Natalie, and she was waiting for her when Natalie exited the manor.After Natalie got into the car, Daphe handed her a bag. "This is what you asked for.""Okay, thank you."Natalie took it and opened the bag to find the current layout of Wexford, specifically around Irwin and Cedric.After going through the