Chapter 4 Big Surprise

Nathalie stared at the sheets of paper in front of her with a blank stare. These papers, once she signed them, would be the fire that burned everything she had been through with Charles for the past five, no, eight years.

Nathalie took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, then scratched her pen on the paper.

Nathalie called the nurse who had previously brought the papers to her and asked her to return the papers to Charles.

Nathalie lay on a comfortable bed in the VIP treatment room, staring at the high ceiling above her.

Her hand touched her flat stomach. Before, even though it was flat, she felt something trying to grow inside it. A small and weak soul, hoping to become big and strong.

What Charles, Gina, and Kelly did, was just killing that soul, taking away its chance to live.

"I'm sorry, baby," Nathalie whispered to herself. "I couldn't protect you. I promise I'll do anything to repay them, baby."

Tears flowed down Nathalie's cheeks, fast and silent. She squeezed her stomach and felt the emptiness in her.

After some time, Nathalie fell asleep exhausted. She faced such heavy pressure and not only her body, more than that, her soul was also tired. Everything came so incessantly.

Nathalie woke up when a nurse came in to check on her. Doctor Nelson had specifically ordered that the beautiful woman in this special room be well cared for and taken care of.

"You will be fine, ma'am," the nurse said after finishing the examination. She straightened the blanket on Nathalie's legs and smiled softly. "Everything will be fine.

Nathalie nodded and thanked her, feeling a little comforted by the nurse's gentle smile.

She took the phone and dialed the first speed dial number, her father.

"Hello, Nathalie?  Baby?"

Her father's hoarse voice almost made Nathalie cry again. She gripped the blanket tightly and took a deep breath, holding herself back so she could sound normal when she spoke.

Her father was sick and he would be very sad and shocked if he knew what his daughter was going through. Nathalie didn't want anything worse to happen to her father.

"Dad, how are you?  Are you okay?" Nathalie greeted in a cheerful voice. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine," Hardy Adams replied, relieved to hear Nathalie's cheerful voice. "I feel good, baby. How are you?"

Nathalie bite her lower lips. "I am fine, Daddy, just a little busy lately."

Hardy had a feeling that his daughter was in big trouble. Nathalie said she was fine, but something felt wrong. He wanted to ask, but Nathalie's voice made him change his mind.

Nathalie was a gentle woman, but she had a strong determination and was a hard worker. She would be able to face her difficulties and keep smiling. She had always been like that since she was little.

Father and daughter talked for a while, encouraging each other. For Nathalie, hearing her father's voice was a boost of encouragement and for Hardy, hearing Nathalie's voice was his strength to heal.

"Nathalie, honey, whatever happens, believe in yourself that you will be able to get through anything.  Take care of your health and spirit, then everything will be fine," Hardy said before ending the conversation.

Nathalie is comforted to learn that her father has indeed become stable.

She also acknowledges the truth of her father's words that she will be able to get through all her problems.

She must eat well to have the strength to start over. Her tears should also not be shed in vain. Divorce is a small thing, and she won't let herself be beaten down.

During her week in the hospital, Natalie remains unoccupied, knowing that her inner peace only comes when she devotes herself to the work she loves.

She decided to fill her time by drawing again. After all, she couldn't keep lazing around. She had to work, not only because of what she would get from her job, but because she really needed to work, for her health and inner peace.

"What are you doing, Nate?"

The deep voice made Nathalie look up, distracting her from her work. She must have been too busy to hear Nicholas enter her room.

"Ah, Nicholas," Nathalie said while showing her drawing. "Just drawing. My hands are stiff from not practicing for a long time."

Nicholas stared at Nathalie's drawing. It was a drawing of a minimalist-themed office space. Nathalie's design looked smooth but firm and she drew the pen without hesitation.

Nicholas is amazed that Nathalie is still so talented with her designs.

"Nate, you are very talented and all your works are good, but why hasn't I seen a design signed by you in society? Do you keep all your designs as a personal collection?”

Natalie sadly sighed. "That was a big mistake that I only realized later, Nic. Charles convinced me to publish my designs under the company's name. He was saying that it was the way to gain the public's trust. There are so many designs that I have produced and I recently realized that I cannot claim them as my own work."

"He manipulated you, right?" Nicholas said with an annoyance. "Apparently his nature like that hasn't changed since before," he muttered, more to himself. "That bastard!"

"Hm? What did you say, Nicholas," Nathalie asked in surprise, hearing Nicholas' unclear words.

"No, it's okay. I just regret that you lost the rights to what you have produced with your skills," Nicholas said calmly.

Nathalie took a deep breath. "I loved him so much at the time. I didn't even hesitate to sign the contract, with the terms given by him. I trusted him completely, and felt sure that he would not lie to me."

Nathalie chuckled, laughing at herself. She felt sad, being fooled so stupidly by the person she loved.  Her sincerity turned out to mean nothing, only exploited by a traitor like Charles.

"I was stupid at that time, and too naive," Nathalie said with a faint smile. "But, now it's all over and I will never be fooled and lied again by anyone."

Nicholas understood who Nathalie meant and he just nodded in response.

He knew Nathalie's persistent and unyielding nature very well. Even now, when her divorce problem was not completely resolved, Nathalie seemed to have gathered her determination to immediately move on from her cunning ex-husband.

"Good for you, realizing your mistakes in the past, so you can move on faster," Nicholas said calmly.

Nathalie looked into Nicholas' dark blue eyes and found a pleasant calm there.

"Nicholas, why did you suddenly come to visit me? Did something happen?" Nathalie asked carefully.

After helping her a few days ago, Nicholas left and never contacted or visited Nathalie, until today.

Nicholas pulled up a chair and sat on the side of the bed, staring at Nathalie with his sharp, deep eyes. His smirked made his handsome face look even more charming.

Nathalie swallowed. Her instincts told her that she was going to hear something surprising from Nicholas' lips.

"Nothing special, Nate. I just wanted to visit you and... Proposing to you."

"W-what?"