Chapter 12
Hansen also recognized her, “Why are you here?” He asked, quickly checked her for wounds and, fortunately, found them to be only light bruises
He pulled her up from the ground and asked, “It’s so late now. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for some business, Natalie replied.
Hansen glanced at the police station across
The
street. He wanted to ask something but kept silent in the end.
“Where do you live? I’ll take you back,” Hansen offered.
“Don’t bother. I’ll take a taxi home, Natalie refused instinctively.
“It’s not a havile. I’m free now, so think of me as your designated driver,” he assured. After he said that, he opened the car door.
Natalie found it difficult to turn him down and could only enter his vehicle.
Along the way, the two did not talk much. Most of their conversation was about Nadine’s condition.
The car arrived at the entrance of the Scott residence in 20 minutes. When Natalie was about to exit the car, Hansen noticed the bruise on her arm and burriedly stopped her. Next, he took out a first–aid kit from his car and worked on the bruise, fast and efficiently,
“Come by the hospital tomorrow, and I’ll have another look at that bruise,” Hansen told her. “And remember, no water on it for cight hours, okay! Don’t want it getting infected”
Natalie didn’t respond
At the same time, Martin was inside the car beside them. He watched as Natalie sat in the passenger seat, doing something with an unfamiliar man for a while.
Tomorrow was the death anniversary of Martin’s parents. They died in a car accident 20 years ago, and the culprit had yet to be found
Hence, his mood would turn worse around this time of the year.
In addition, he had contacted the best international doctors to perform the surgery on Timothy. However, because of the discovery of the prenuptial agreement, Timothy was now stubbornly unwilling to accept treatment
with her.
He admitted he was not calm enough that night, so he sat in the car, waited for Natalie to come back, and planned to have a talk
But seeing Natalie with another guy like this was something he didn’t expect. ‘Having an affair with another man in the dead of the night. No wonder her ex–boyfriend cheated on her. Arguments don’t happen one–sidedly, after all, he thought..!
Martin shifted his gaze and pondered, Why should I care about her? I’m just using her!
In the other car, Natalie thanked Hansen before she exited the vehicle.
Le did
She
not notice Martin hiding in the shadows and walked into the yard.
The light in the study was on, and Natalie thought Martin was inside. She paused in her tracks as she passed through the study,
Suddenly, she felt a line regretful, thinking she should not have used this method to gather money for Nadine’s operation bills. This was much more difficult than she had imagined, living with a stranger whom she felt no connection with
Martin slept in the study again that night and left early the next morning
Natalie made breakfast as usual and sent it to Timothy’s room.
Timothy was in a poor moed that day and sighed as he saw Natalie.
Natalie believed he was still mad about her prenuptial agreement with Martin. She wanted to comfort him but did not know what to say
She was about to turn and leave when Timothy called her. Today is the death anniversary of Martin’s parents, and I’m asking you to be there with him. The kid was only eight when he lost his parents, and I’ve been the only one by his side. I can’t be there for him much longer, so I’m counting on you,” he said.
Natalie was shocked. She took a note from Timothy where the address of a harbor was written.
“He goes to the ship to mourn his parents every year. You might still be able to make it if you go there now,” Timothy added.
Pinching the note in her hand, the image of Martin’s lonely silhouette standing on the deck appeared in Natalie’s mind. She was reminded of the parents she had never seen and sympathized with Martin.
Since she didn’t have to stick with Nadine until the day after next, she decided to give herself a break today.
ZU PM
Chapter 12
When Natalie arrived at the harbor written on the note
He stood on the deck, his back facing Natalie.
note, the yacht Martin was in had departed more than 33 feet away from the shore.
Natalie shouted his name for a while, but Martin did not respond, perhaps due to the loud waves.
Seeing the yacht getting away, Natalie had to walk back.
The wind at the seaside was bitingly cold, and Natalie clutched against her coat tightly. Suddenly, someone behind her called, “Natalie!”
She promptly turned around and saw Martin standing behind her. “Did Grandpa ask you to come here?” Martin asked in a hoarse voice. As if he did not sleep all night, his eyes were sunken, looking haggard.
“Grandpa Timothy gave me the address,” she replied. What she didn’t tell him was, “But I came here ‘cause I wanted to.”
Martin swallowed hard. “Go back and tell Grandpa not to worry about me,” he said. His expression was as cold as the sea breeze, chilling people to
heir cores.
He silently turned around and walked onto the deck, his silhouette heartbreakingly desolate. Natalie caught up to him without hesitation.
She was afraid of the waters, especially seawater. To her, the sea was just plain spooky.
Shivering, she walked onto the springboard, reaching out to grab Martin several times but always pulling back. Just as she was about to step onto the yacht, a huge wave surged, which caused the springboard to shake violently. Natalie screamed, which caused Martin to turn around just in time to catch her.
Natalie’s face turned pale from fear, and she held Martin tightly.
She dreamt of being pushed into the ocean countless times. She struggled bitterly but could only hear a woman’s laughter.
The nightmare haunted her for years like a dark shadow, which caused her to develop a fear of the ocean.
Feeling the shivering woman in his arms, Martin held her by the waist.
Natalie pressed her cheek against his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat. Suddenly, she was filled with a sense of security.
Soon, the yacht departed. Natalie sat in the cabin as she gazed at Martin on the deck. He was facing into the wind, his gaze lost in the far–off waves.
Today was his 28th birthday. It was 20 years ago when his parents were rushing back to celebrate his birthday. While they crossed the sea bridge. the car suddenly lost control. They crashed into the guardrail, swayed off the bridge, and fell into the sea.
The rescue
team dived for months on end to search for their bodies but found nothing.
Because of this, the young Martin suffered from depression. It was not until Timothy sent him abroad that his condition improved.
However, Martin never celebrated his birthday ever since the day of his parents‘ accident,
A profound sorrow enveloped Martin. He appeared so lonely and helpless, as though he were the sole inhabitant of this world.
Natalie walked over, thinking of giving him a few words of comfort. Yet, his reddened eyes rendered her wordless.
Perhaps what he needed now was not comfort buta silent companion.
was near noon when the yacht entered the region where his parents met their end. The wind grew increasingly stronger.
“Dad, Mom, I’m here to see your Martin cried out repeatedly at the sea. His screams echoed with gut–wrenching agony. “I miss you so much. Come back quickly!” He continued shouting.
Natalie was quiet. Martin yelled until his voice turned sore. In the end, he fell to his knees and stifled bitter cries.
