Chapter 38
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Soon, the driver took Natalie to her apartment complex, and there was James, propped up against his car like it was the only thing keeping him on
his feet.
He looked haggard and worn, with stubble that hadn’t been shaved in a while, the kind of roughness that came from a sleepless night.
“James, you’re here early,” Natalie said, her voice laced with concern as she approached.
“Couldn’t sleep after we talked,” James confessed, his voice deep and heavy. He didn’t mention that he’d been there all night, a silent watchman outside her building, his mind racing with thoughts about her relationship with Shawn.
When he heard Natalie was married, James had accepted his place on the bench, ready to be her friend in the background, as a quiet protector.
Her sudden four–year absence had him thinking she was caught up in family life. Maybe her husband didn’t want her to visit home often. Or perhaps she had kids and those new responsibilities kept her away.
Seeing her again, with her children in tow, pulled at his heart. Finding out she was divorced rekindled a spark of hope. He didn’t care about her past marriage or that she had two kids; all he wanted was a chance to be there for them and part of their world. He planned to take it slow, not wanting to scare her off, knowing she’d always seen him as just a friend.
But the night before had him on pins and needles after he heard that Natalie had been taken away by Shawn from Evercrest Group. Realizing Shawn wasn’t just a stranger to Natalie gave him a bad feeling, so he spent a restless night waiting for answers.
“That was Mr. Guzman’s car. They were together last night, right?‘ James thought, his mind a whirlwind of questions.
When morning broke, the puffiness on Natalie’s face had mostly faded, with only faint traces remaining as a testament to the effectiveness of the ointment Shawn had applied the day before. Today, a dab of concealer had done its magic, camouflaging the last signs of her ordeal. She aimed to keep the worry lines off everyone’s faces.
“It was too late for a cab, and I left my bag at the hotel, so I stayed out,” Natalie explained, her voice shaky, her eyes downcast like a teenager caught sneaking in after curfew.
“With Mr. Guzman?” James asked, the question escaping before he could stop it.
Natalie’s head lifted, her eyes meeting his with a puzzled look. “James, what are you getting at?”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to pry. Mr. Guzman, CEO of Evercrest Group–didn’t expect you two to be friends.” James quickly tried to clarify, realizing his mistake.
“He’s my ex, Zayn and Emma’s dad,” Natalie said straightforwardly, no hint of deception in her tone. She knew he cared for her but didn’t want to give him false hope. It was a lost cause before, and even more so now.
After her divorce, with Zayn and Emma by her side, Natalie had put her personal life on hold, determined to raise her kids with all the joy and love they deserved.
“James, all I want is to be there for Zayn and Emma, to grow with them. That’s it. I hope you understand. We’re still great friends, and I want you to be happy,” Natalie said, looking at him earnestly.
Although he’d braced for her words, James still felt their weight, standing there a beat too long. “Turns out he’s their dad. That’s cool. Nat, helping out is my choice. No need to feel bad about it. Call if you need anything and keep me in your buddy circle.”
Natalie nodded and said, “Thanks, James.”
James pulled the car door open and said, “You should get back. The kids might be getting restless. I’m heading out, and call if you need me.”
“Got it, James. Be safe,” Natalie said, watching the car as it drove off.
As the car disappeared, Natalie let out a breath she’d been holding, a sense of relief washing over her. Sometimes, it’s better to lay it all out there, and she hoped James would really hear her.
Natalie had no sooner crossed the threshold than the twins were on her, their voices rising in unison. “Mommy, you’re finally home! We’ve missed you so, so much!” “They squeezed her legs, their little bodies a whirl of excitement.
“And I’ve missed you a lot!” Natalie replied, lifting Zayn and Emma into a warm embrace, pressing a kiss to each of their rosy cheeks.
Sherry, with a fond smile, chimed in, “These two woke up at the crack of dawn, just as eager as can be for your return.”
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Chapter 38
Natalie’s thoughts turned to the dress nearing completion. With its delivery imminent, it was a signal that their return to Yvengard was on the horizon. But first, she aimed to capture some final moments of joy with her children.
“Get your gear ready,” Natalie said, her voice brimming with anticipation. “How about we go to the ocean park with Sherry today, huh?”
“Yay! We’re going out to play again! I’m over the moon!” Emma bubbled with joy, her hands clapping in delight.
A day packed with thrills at the ocean park left Emma so worn out that she conked out on the ride back. As Natalie was about to carry her upstairs, she stirred awake, a considerate gesture that warmed Natalie’s heart.
That night, nestled in the living room, Natalie and Sherry hashed out the details of their return and the dress’s progress. With the weekend just two sleeps away, it was time to secure their tickets in advance.
Initially, Natalie had felt secure about bringing the twins back to Janisburg, convinced that the city’s vastness would keep them from crossing paths with Shawn. But the encounter with him later had planted a seed of anxiety. If Shawn discovered the twins and sought to claim them, she feared her chances of keeping them were slim. It was clear to her now–finish the job and head back to Yvengard without delay.
After their bath, as they settled into bed, the twins exchanged hushed whispers.
“Zayn, are we really going back to Yvengard?” Emma inquired, her ears having picked up on Natalie’s earlier talk with Sherry.
“Guess we are. Mom’s almost done with her work,” Zayn said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“But what about Dad? We haven’t gotten Mom and Dad back together yet. It’ll be tough to come back after we leave.” Emma fretted, her voice betraying her concern.
“Maybe it’s better if we just leave,” Zayn said, a tinge of melancholy in his tone.
“Zayn, why?” Emma pressed, puzzled by his sudden change of heart.
“I saw Dad on TV with some lady at a fancy dinner. He’s always with her. The news says they’re an item. He’s been lying to us about being single,” Zayn replied, his disappointment in Shawn evident.
“Really? But I don’t want to give up on Dad. I can’t believe he’s like that,” Emma said, her hope for her father’s character still shining bright, testament to the unbreakable bond of family, even with only a handful of shared moments.
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That night, Emma secretly sent Shawn a voice message, her voice wavering with emotion. “Daddy! Zayn, Mommy, and I are heading back to Yvengard soon. We won’t be able to hang out anymore. Zayn saw on the news that you have a girlfriend and thinks you’ve been lying. But I still trust you. I’ll miss you when we’re gone, and I want you to miss me, too. Please call me often.”
After the message was sent, she cried silently into her pillow, her small form swallowed by the darkness of her room.
Alone in his hospital room, Shawn received Emma’s tearful farewell, and it felt as if a vise had clamped around his heart, the pain making it nearly impossible to draw breath.
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