Following the doctor's examination of Natalie, the people in both Lotus Villa and Hillside Villa became considerably more cautious about lighting. Within the shortest time possible, Heather and Stephen had all the lights changed once again. Even at night, Natalie wasn't allowed outside. Not just at night. Even during the daytime, when the sun shone too brightly, Heather wouldn't let Natalie venture out. This showed just how deeply concerned Heather was for her daughter's eyes.The doctor had said... Time was limited. Hence, during this brief period, they had to ensure that nothing overly stimulating would affect Natalie's eyes. At night, Lotus Villa was dimly lit. Everyone felt the lights were too low. Natalie, who already saw everything as a blur, felt the darkness intensify."Mom, there's really no need to worry. I can't see anything anyway," sighed Natalie, speaking the truth. At this point, she truly couldn't see anything.However, Heather remained firm. "I know it
When Natalie found out she was pregnant in her past life, she had sat in the darkness for a long time clutching her stomach after Isabella had left.At that moment, her primary concern was figuring out how she would live with the child once she left Cedric. Yes!Even in the pitch-blackness that enveloped her vision, she was determined to leave Cedric behind, no matter what awaited her.But upon learning of the life growing within her, all her courage evaporated. She felt panicked and almost driven mad. She could endure any hardship, but the thought of not being able to care for her child terrified her. However, before she could confront Cedric or make a decision... a massive fire ended everything.Cedric said she should forgive Isabella. He claimed that Isabella sacrificed her life for her in the end. But how could he truly understand? While Natalie might have been willing to forgive almost anything when it only concerned her, there was no room for forgiveness when it c
Lydia quickly tidied up the mess. However, the cold water in Natalie's palm served as a chilling reminder that her vision was deteriorating rapidly!It was possible that, at any moment, she might lose her sight altogether.A sense of panic surged from deep within her.Throughout her morning routine, from changing clothes to getting ready, Lydia and Xyla assisted her. Natalie noticed that she could discern brighter colors more clearly from her wardrobe. Everything else seemed to blend into a gloomy haze.At breakfast, Lydia carefully placed a bowl of soup in front of Natalie and cautioned, "Miss, be careful. It's hot."Lydia didn't only caution Natalie. As Natalie reached for a spoon, Lydia promptly handed it over."Thank you," Natalie responded calmly.But beneath that calm exterior, a storm raged within her.After a while, Heather called.Natalie answered, "Mom.""Why didn't you join us for breakfast?""I woke up late. You guys should go ahead.""You should come home i
Natalie hadn't initially considered the issue, but with her vision deteriorating rapidly after her trip to Mounta Elven, it was hard to ignore the connection. "You can't even handle bright lights. How could you...?" Heather was genuinely alarmed. Now, no matter where Natalie wished to go, Heather would likely object, given the harm certain places posed to her eyes."It's not a big deal, Mom," Natalie tried to reassure."Quiet!" Heather's frustration was palpable, her head throbbing with anger."I genuinely forgot," Natalie admitted. She had indeed forgotten the warnings from her doctor. Since she seldom visited snowy regions, the advice slipped her mind over time. She hadn't anticipated such severe consequences this time around."You forgot?! The price of forgetting is getting plunged into darkness! Don't you understand?" Heather's tone was more than just pained. It was frantic!Feeling the urgency in Heather's voice, Natalie's anxiety spiked. "Mom, I'm sorry!""I don't
Heather wouldn't allow Natalie to step out of Lotus Villa, not even to return to Hillside Villa. Resignedly, Natalie had no choice but to stay put.Inside the study, Stephen glanced at Natalie. "Your eyesight has truly reached..."Stephen trailed off, and the anguish within his tone was palpable to Natalie."Dad!" Natalie interrupted."It's better to have the surgery sooner. It'll also ease your mother's worries.""But I...""Don't worry. We'll arrange for the best surgeons for you." Stephen seemed to understand Natalie's concerns and tried to reassure her.In reality, both Stephen and Heather were anxious, especially fearing the possibility of the surgery failing. Hence, they were extra cautious in making arrangements."Dad," Natalie began hesitantly."Yes?""I-I'm... genuinely scared..." Natalie had always been concerned about how Stephen and others worried for her. Yet now, at this critical juncture, she couldn't help but show her genuine fear to her family.She w
Natalie felt her heart leap into her throat, thinking she was about to tumble. Then, a sudden force gripped her waist, and a familiar touch enveloped her.The moment she steadied herself, she pushed him away without even needing to think...Obviously, it was Cedric!He was the man she least wanted to encounter."Waaah! Waaah!" Luna cried out from a short distance away.Upon hearing her child's cries, Natalie's initial cold demeanor melted away, and she seemed disoriented. "Luna, it's okay!" Rushing to her daughter, Natalie enveloped her in a comforting embrace. "Mommy, I'm scared!""Don't be afraid. Mommy's here.""There's a bad guy... A bad guy!" Luna's fear stemmed from seeing Cedric. Observing the mother and daughter embrace from a distance, especially hearing the child's description of him, filled Cedric with a bitter taste. A bad guy—that was how he was remembered in Luna's eyes.Yes, that was the memory he left behind for her."Yes, he's a bad man. Don't be afrai
Cedric furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed in the direction where Natalie and Heather had just departed."Stop looking at them!" Stephen commanded, his tone significantly graver. There was an unmistakable difference in his attitude.Before, Natalie was his niece.Now that he confirmed Natalie was his own daughter, everything was different!Many things had transpired that Natalie hadn't spoken of since her return from Wexford, but Stephen had learned much from Clyde. Hence, his stance toward Cedric now was markedly different than before.Cedric glanced at Stephen and began, "She just...""As you've seen, her vision has deteriorated rapidly. The doctors say that without surgery, she won't have much time left with her vision," Stephen cut him off coldly.At that moment, Cedric felt an overwhelming pang and suffocation in his chest. "How...?" he managed to murmur."Heather mentioned that Irwin took her to Mount Elven," Stephen elaborated.Mount Elven? Cedric's heart tighten
"Mr. Jarvis..." Cedric looked at Stephen in disbelief, clearly taken aback by the words that had just left Stephen's lips.Stephen cut him off sharply, "She's just a child. Is that what you're trying to tell me?"Hadn't Cedric emphasized time and time again in front of Natalie that Kayla was just a child?"Just because she's a child, does that mean Natalie has to accept it? Did Luna have to be sacrificed because of that?" Stephen's words hit Cedric like stones, each one piercing his heart like a blade.These were universal truths everyone understood!Yet, when faced with reality, people often showed favoritism. And Cedric's favoritism was clearly directed towards Isabella and her daughter.Did he feel trapped at that time? Even if he did, his actions were unforgivable to Natalie and Luna!"This is your last warning, Cedric!" Stephen's voice was icy and dangerous. "Leave this place. Now!"With those final words, Stephen departed. Cedric was left rooted in place, struggling t