Chapter 4

Natalie forced herself to keep working even as the mango made her skin itch and burn. She finished the cake and carried it to the hospital.

Sophie's sickeningly sweet voice drifted out from the room. "Oh, Natalie, I just mentioned wanting mango cake and James made you bake one. But we already ate, so you should have it instead."

Natalie's fingers gripped the ribbon on the box so hard her knuckles went white. "Okay. I won't keep you." Her voice came out barely above a whisper, shaking and fragile.

James followed her out into the hallway, and his eyes dropped to her red, swollen hands. Something flickered across his face—maybe concern, maybe guilt.

James sighed, "Go see a doctor before you leave and get some ointment for that. I can't leave Sophie alone right now, but once she's discharged, I'll take you to try on wedding dresses and pick out rings."

Natalie's throat felt raw. "Okay," she managed to say.

She didn't want to cause any trouble before she left.

She walked out of the hospital, and her phone started buzzing like crazy in her pocket. It was Rachel sending birthday wishes.

Rachel: [Happy birthday! Your present's on its way to your place.]

Rachel: [Be your own sunshine. I hope your life is filled with endless love from here on out.]

A small smile tugged at Natalie's lips, but then the tears started falling down her cheeks.

At least someone remembered it was her birthday.

She crouched down on the side of the road and pulled out a small birthday cake. She stuck a candle in it and started singing through her tears. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

Over the next few days, she was alone in the villa. She flipped through the calendar and counted down.

Seven more days. Just seven more days and she could leave.

She hadn't been taking proper care of herself since leaving the hospital. Her surgical wound still hadn't fully healed, and she'd barely managed to keep herself clean.

After her shower, Natalie was getting dressed when her foot slipped. She went down hard, hitting the bathroom floor with a crash.

James had just opened the bedroom door, and when he heard the loud thud, panic flashed across his face. He rushed into the bathroom.

Natalie's face turned bright red when she saw him, and she stammered out, "Just... just go. I can handle this myself."

But James ignored her embarrassment and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her out and laid her down on the bed.

When his hand brushed against the scar on her abdomen, she caught the look of disgust that flickered in his eyes.

That scar should have been a symbol of a mother's courage, but instead, it was a constant reminder of how unwanted she was.

James grabbed a bathrobe and helped her into it, then glanced around the room. His brow furrowed, and confusion crept into his voice.

"Where are the wedding invitations and the bouquet that were on the table? And what about all the stuff we bought for the baby?"

So he did remember they'd had a child.

Natalie didn't look up. "I put the wedding stuff away, and I threw out everything for the baby."

James went quiet for a few seconds, then reached out and ruffled her hair. "That's probably for the best. No point keeping things that'll just make you sad."

Then he pulled an elegant gift box from his pocket. "Didn't you say you loved this designer's work? You can wear this at the wedding."

Natalie stared at the sapphire necklace nestled in the velvet box. If she hadn't seen Sophie's social media posts, maybe she would have felt something—a flicker of warmth, a moment of hope.

But this was the necklace she'd passed over, the one she hadn't liked.

She took the box and set it on the nightstand without ceremony. "Thanks," she said flatly.

James noticed how distant she seemed, so he drove her out to a countryside estate.

She looked at him in surprise, and he raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you wanted to meet my friends? Everyone's free today, so I figured I'd introduce you. Might help you relax a little."

The unexpected invitation caught Natalie completely off guard.

She'd been by James' side for four years without any official status, and he'd never once mentioned introducing her to his parents or friends.

Now that she was about to leave, he wanted to bring her into his world out of some pathetic sense of guilt.

Life had a funny way of surprising you when you least expected it.

The Rolls-Royce stopped halfway up the mountain.

James took her hand and led her into the estate, and the moment his friends saw her, the lively party atmosphere turned ice-cold. Then Sophie stepped out of the crowd and slipped her arm through James' like it was the most natural thing in the world. "James, thank you so much for throwing this party for me."

James nodded, and his eyes softened with unmistakable tenderness. "I'm just glad you're happy."

Natalie tried to pull her hand free and leave, but James only gripped it tighter.

The awkward silence was killing the mood, so some people started drinking and playing games to liven things up, and the noise quickly became unbearable.

Natalie felt sharp cramps twisting through her stomach, so she found an empty couch and sat down.

James stayed glued to Sophie's side, drinking and chatting with the friends gathered around them. He looked like some kind of knight guarding his precious princess.

Suddenly Sophie walked over with a wine glass in her hand. "Natalie, have a drink with me to celebrate my release from the hospital."

Natalie didn't move, and her expression stayed perfectly calm. "Thanks, but I don't drink."

Sophie threw herself into James' arms, and her eyes turned red with tears. "James, is she still blaming me for what happened to her baby? Does she not want me to get better?"

James reached up and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Of course not. I'll make sure she drinks it." He took the glass from Sophie and held it out to Natalie.

"Drink it."

The command in his voice made Natalie's whole body tremble.