Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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In no time, Natalie had whipped up two steaming bowls of noodles and placed them on the table. They looked scrumptious. The silence hung heavy as Shawn, likely famished, devoured his meal in just a few minutes.
Once he was done, Shawn turned to Natalie and said, “You should hit the hay early. I’ve got some work to wrap up at the office. We’re having dinner at Grandpa’s place tomorrow night swing by to get you in the afternoon.”
“You don’t have to go out of your way for me. I can catch a cab to Grandpa’s. Just text me when you’re on your way, and I’ll be ready,” she replied.
can be a pain to find, he insisted.
“I’m pretty free tomorrow. I’ll come get you. Cabs can b
“Alright, Natalie muttered, her head down as she continued eating, not offering any more words.
Shawn got up and headed upstairs.
The next morning, Natalie woke up to find that Shawn had already left for work. She put together a small lunch for herself, even though her appetite was lacking. Remembering the little one she was carrying, she forced herself to eat a bit.
Just as she finished cleaning up, the doorbell rang. Natalie opened the door to find the star from yesterday’s news standing there. Tracy was a knockout–like a swan gliding across ice, Natale thought.
“Ms. Wilson, hello. I’m Tracy, a friend of Shawn’s, Tracy said with a warm smile.
“I know,” Natalie replied softly, feeling inferior to Tracy. She stepped aside to let Tracy in and poured her a glass of water, setting it on the table.
1 apologize, Ms. Wilson. Shawn left his watch at my place yesterday, and I haven’t been able to get in touch with him today. Since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I’d return it,” Tracy said, her voice as smooth as silk, her smile bright and inviting
“Sure, I’ll see that he gets it. Thanks for stopping by, Natalie said, her voice tight as she tried to mask her unease. “I’m not feeling too great today, so I won’t be able to offer you lunch. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to take a rest.
“Of course, I won’t keep you. Take care,” Tracy replied, her smile polite as she took her leave.
As she walked out of the villa, Tracy’s smile slipped. This house as supposed to be hers..
Shawn had picked her up from the airport and dropped her off the hotel, intending to leave right after. It hadn’t been an accident when she’d spilled water on him, forcing him to take off his watch to clean up. He’d left it behind without a second thought.
When Tracy got the news that Shawn had tied the knot, she was disbelief. She was certain he’d been waiting for her all this time, and she figured he’d keep on waiting.
Shawn was all about love; she was his first love. During their time apart, there wasn’t a whiff of scandal or gossip about him. Even though she was across the pond, she kept tabs on his updates, and as far as she knew, no other women were in the picture.
But now he was officially off the market–courtesy of Henry’s matchmaking. No matter who Shawn’s wife was, Tracy wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. Her dancing career was over due to er injury, and Shawn had to be hers.
After Tracy left, Natalie sat on the couch, lost in thought, staring at the watch in her hand.
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Chapter 4
This was Shawn’s watch, a timepiece he’d had for years. Henry had given it to him on the day of his graduation. She recalled picking it up from his bedside to examine it more closely; the initials “SG” were etched on the back.
Her reminiscing was cut short by the ring of her phone–it was Shawn calling
Tilbe home in ten minutes, Get ready, we’re heading out,” he sail
“Got it,” Natalie replied, jolted back to the present. She tucked away her emotions and rushed to her room to change, then waited by the door for Shawn. His car arrived a few minutes later
Once they were on the road, she remained quiet. Shawn could tell something was up with her, but he hadn’t been as attentive lately and didn’t know how to probe.
Natalie’s emotions were in turmoil, especially now that she was expecting. On top of that, she was wrestling with how to tell Shawn that Tracy had stopped by to return the watch.
“Should I slip the watch back onto the bedside table without a word or bring it up to him directly?‘ she hesitated in her mind.
The car ride was silent until they pulled up to the Guzman manor. Mary, the maid, was already in the kitchen, bustling around with cooking.
Natalie was about to lend a hand when Shawn took her hand and said, “Mary’s almost done. Why don’t you
take it easy today?” He noticed she seemed preoccupied, even though he was in the dark about what was on her mind. He thought it best to let her have some downtime.
“Oh, alright. I’ll go check out the flowers Grandpa planted in the garden,” she said, welcoming the chance to be alone for a bit.
“Sounds good, I’ll head to the study to find Grandpa.”
“Sure thing.
With that, they went their separate ways, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
Shawn strode into the study, only to have Henry hurl a pen holder at him from across the table. Shawn didn’t even blink: it srnacked him right on the forehead, leaving a mark.
Henry banged a newspaper down and bellowed, “What a disgrace! Look at the mess you’ve made! Where have you left Nat? Out chasing skirts and making a spectacle of yourself!”
Tve already had the news taken down, Shawn responded coolly
“Do you think Nat’s in the dark? You don’t value such a wonderful wife, and let me tell you, you’ll rue the day. When that day comes, don’t come whining to me.”
“I never wanted to get married in the first place. You pushed me to this. You should have expected this when you strong- armed me into the marriage.
“You… you… I swear I could knock you senseless!” Henry hollered brandishing his cane at Shawn in a fit of fury.
At that moment, Natalie rushed in, stepping between them. Grandpa Henry, please look after yourself and try not to get too agitated, she pleaded, helping Henry into a chair and casting a gance at Shawn, whose forehead was bruised and looking a bit disheveled
Natalie had arrived just in time, catching Shawn’s retort to Henry as she approached the door. She wasn’t trying to listen in;
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Chapter 4
it was just that Mary had finished dinner and Natalie had come to summon them.
The sound of Henry’s raised voice had made her hurry inside. She was worried that if he got too upset, it might affect his health, and she was also concerned for Shawn. After all, Henry had been a military man and still had some strength to him- she didn’t want Shawn to get hurt.
Seeing him injured was a shock. She blamed Shawn in her heart, Why couldn’t he just steer clear of provoking Grandpa Henry when he was in such a foul mood?
The butler, drawn by the commotion, soon arrived on the scene. Natalie asked the butler to assist Henry downstairs.
Once they were settled, she fetched some iodine and went to Shawn to tend to his wound.
“It’s nothing. Just a scratch. Honestly, I’m fine, Shawn insisted.
“Even small wounds need to be disinfected. It could get infected if you don’t take care of it.”
With a cotton swab soaked in iodine, she gently.dabbed at the bruise. Meanwhile, Shawn felt annoyed. He had only gone to the airport to pick up Tracy. After helping her get settled at her hotel, he returned to work late. He hadn’t anticipated reporters lying in wait at the airport.
He had moved quickly to get them to take down the news as soon as it broke. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Natalie might have seen it. He wondered. ‘Is she upset because of that? Why doesn’t she just ask me straight out?”
Wed, Jan 29
Chapter 51
