Chapter 278

In her past life, spoiled by her grandfather and Owen, she had been blissfully naive. That was why she had thrown herself so passionately into a new family and a new love. But human nature is a cold, fickle thing. She finally understood the old saying: nothing is colder than a human heart, and nothing is cheaper than affection.
A late apology is worthless. Something that has been broken can be glued back together, but the cracks will always remain. The Scott family and Sebastian-she would rather have never met them at all.
That night, Natalie was once again tormented by nightmares of her past life. In the dream, the attacker was carving into her face with a knife, drop by drop, then dripping a powerful chemical into the wounds. The corrosive acid burned so intensely that she fainted again and again, her body convulsing in agony even in her sleep. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ.net
“Hah Natalie’s eyes flew open. Sunlight was streaming through the window. She grabbed her phone and immediately called Queena.
“Natalie, you should sleep in. I’m almost at the airport,” Queena’s voice came through, warm and reassuring.
“I’m so sorry, Queena,” Natalie said, feeling guilty. “I overslept. I didn’t get to see you off.” The nightmare had held her in its grip all night.
“Natty, don’t worry about me. Wayne is dropping me off. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Hearing that Wayne was with her made Natalie happy. “Okay, Queena. Be safe over there, and call me if you need anything.”
“Of course,” Queena said cheerfully. “You’re my only friend. And Natalie? The future will be better. Don’t be so sad.”
Natalie knew Queena must have heard her crying last night. She managed a small smile. “Okay.” After a few more words, she hung up.
She didn’t try to go back to sleep. She got up, got ready, and drove off. It was time to see Zenobia.
Zenobia on a small
Natalie found Ze
island in the south. She arrived as
the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything. The island was beautiful and serene, and Natalie felt a sense of peace settle over her. She took the ferry with her car and then drove another twenty minutes to Zenobia’s oceanfront villa. Zenobia’s family was wealthy, but she herself was incredibly hardworking. While her parents and brother ran the family business, she had worked her way up at a company in her field to gain experience. This island was the site of a new tourism project she was managing.
Since becoming pregnant, she hadn’t wanted to see the Scotts, so the Nelson
family had simply packed up and moved away.
When Natalie saw her, Zenobia was
just finishing a meeting. She was nearly eight months along, her belly round and full. She had filled out a bit, but the gentle, genuine smile on her face was the same as always Zenobia had been about to go for a walk on the island and grab some dinner. The moment she saw Natalie, her face lit up, and her eyes welled with tears.
to
“Natalie, is that really you? I’m not dreaming, am I?” It had been nine months. A
whole nine months since they’d last seen each other.
Back when she first joined the Scott
family, Natalie had been closest to
Zenobia. No matter how much Joanna tried to stir up trouble, Zenobia had always been the one believe her. And because of that, Jerome had always viewed Zenobia with suspicion, thinking she was no good either. He had been the one who was blind, yet he thought he
was so righteous.
to
Natalie’s own eyes grew misty. It had only been nine months for Zenobia, but for Natalie, it felt like a century.
“Zenobia,” she said softly, “it’s me.”