The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

After returning to their room, Natalie told Marcus to take a shower first. Meanwhile, she pulled a sleeping aid sachet from her bag, lit a stick of wood incense, and turned off all the lights except for a small night lamp.

Soon, Marcus stepped out of the bathroom. He was dressed in black pajamas, his hair still slightly damp. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his chest.

"Nat, I'm done."

With only the dim night lamp turned on, she didn't get a good look at him as she hummed. "Lie down first. I'll take a shower and change as well."

"Alright."

"Marcus, did you dry your hair?"

"I did."

"Good." She stepped into the bathroom. She had brought her own pajamas as she rarely used hotel amenities when traveling.

Soon, she returned in simple yet comfortable bear-patterned pajamas. She lifted the blanket and slid into bed next to him.

Marcus had promised William he wouldn't touch Natalie before marriage. But even if he hadn't, this wasn't the time or place for such thoughts.

"Marcus, let me give you a massage." Lying beside him, she turned onto her side and gently pressed her fingers against his temples.

"Don't overthink it. I placed a sleeping aid sachet under the pillow and lit some incense. Along with my massage, you'll fall asleep quickly."

"Thank you." He closed his eyes, but the moment he did, his chest tightened. Every time he shut his eyes, he saw Charles lying in his arms.

Charles' final words echoed endlessly in his mind.

He missed him a lot.

"Marcus, don't think about anything. Just follow my lead," she said softly as soon as she noticed his body tremble slightly.

He hadn't been sleeping well. Whenever he closed his eyes, he would involuntarily shudder.

He was clearly afraid. Or perhaps, he was simply lost in his grief.

"When I was little, I went to Dithoria City with Grandma. That was the first time I saw the ocean," Natalie began in a gentle and soothing voice, deliberately slowing her pace to ease Marcus' emotions.

"Grandma was there for a business meeting with an elderly man. I was so excited to see the ocean that I ran along the beach, collecting seashells and digging for tiny crabs.

"I had nearly filled my bucket when I realized I had wandered too far from her. That's when I saw a little boy get swept into the waves.

"He was struggling in the water. Without thinking, I rushed in and pulled him out. Then, I tried to do some simple first aid, like I'd seen on TV.

"Just then, a little girl ran over. I told her to stay with him while I ran to find an adult.

"But by the time I brought someone back, the boy and the girl were both gone. I searched for a bit, and when I saw the boy was okay, I left with Grandma.

"As he grew up, the boy mistook someone else for his rescuer. But that little girl... had a tough life. Without the boy's help, she would have struggled to survive. "Fortunately, she had his support. Later on, the girl who saved the boy also ended up saving that little girl. The little girl had suffered so much that the boy's true savior just couldn't bring herself to hate her.

"The little girl turned out to be wonderful, and they became good friends. As for the boy, he eventually became her boyfriend.

"And now, her boyfriend is going through something incredibly painful. So, she's doing everything she can to help him fall asleep."

As he listened to her soft, melodic voice, his tears slipped silently from the corners of his eyes. "Nat, the boy made so many mistakes. He had a chance to get along with the girl from the start, but because of what the little girl's fake grandmother told him, he completely misunderstood her."

Marcus' hoarse voice was barely above a whisper. "The boy wasn't good. He was just lucky."

"The girl saved him more than once. She even saved his grandfather. But now, his grandfather is gone.

"I'm sorry, Nat. I'm so sorry."

He couldn't hold it in anymore. He pulled Natalie into his arms and sobbed in a muffled voice.

"Marcus, don't be afraid. I'm here. You still have me, my parents, and my five brothers."

"Sky is still serving his sentence, but he's been on good behavior. He told me he was working hard for an early release. He even said that once he's out he'll have a good talk with you and make sure you don't bully me.

"I've also contacted Mr. Langton. He said Laura's health is improving, and once

she's better, Connie will bring her to Dithoria City.

"Don't be sad. You have me. I promise I'll never leave you. I won't go before you,

and I won't let you feel that pain again."

Her words hit something deep inside him. He broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. It took him a long time to regain his composure.

"Nat, I'm afraid that if I'm gone, you'll be left alone."

"No," she whispered. "I'll find you."

That only made him cry even harder.

She knew that his tears would be endless once he started crying. Marcus was surprisingly difficult to console.

But if he wanted to cry, she would let him. It was better to let it all out in one go than to keep it bottled up inside.

Holding him gently, she stroked his back. "Don't be afraid, I'm here.

"Marcus, I'm here."

With her soothing voice beside him, his sobs eventually quieted. As his tears stopped, exhaustion and drowsiness crept in.

The sleep sachet and incense had started working.

"Sleep now. When you wake up, everything will be better," she whispered. "Close your eyes."

He pulled her closer and obediently shut his eyes.

Before long, his breathing grew deep and steady.

She knew he had finally fallen asleep. Natalie held him as he held her while whispering, "Marcus, things will get better."

She drifted off after murmuring those final words.

In Amberton, Federrick was checking Laura's pulse at The

Herbalist's Sanctuary. When bol net

finished, Laura asked hesitantly, "Mr. Langton, am I fully recovered now?"

Federrick nodded. "More or less. But once you're home, you'll need to keep taking the medicine I

el.n.

prescribed. Be mindful of your diet for the next half year. Come back for

a follow-up after six months.

"I'll have Connie go with you. And when Natalie and Marcus get married, make sure to invite me."

"Of course." At the mention of Natalie and Marcus, Laura's expression softened.

"Mr. Langton, I will always be grateful for your care. If you don't mind, I'd love to treat you like my father from now on."

Laura had been an orphan with no parents or family. After being with Wesley, she had felt the warmth of paternal love from Charles.

But now, he was gone.

And because of her health, she hadn't even been able to don mourning clothes fornoveldrama

him.