After Natalie spoke, she and Marcus exchanged a smile. Both of them were relaxed and happy. It was the most carefree day they had since Charles passed away.
Marcus took Natalie to Laura's Helianese restaurant. They had dined there a few times before, and he knew she liked Helianese cuisine. Once they arrived, Marcus ordered all of Natalie's favorite dishes. He didn't order any alcohol, of course, only juice and milk.
"Do you remember when we used to eat here?" Marcus poured Natalie some juice. His voice was gentle, his expression soft with a smile lingering at the corners of his eyes. "Back then, you tried so hard to avoid me but had no choice but to deal with me."
"You noticed that?" Natalie chuckled. "At first, I thought it was strange. I never offended you, but your attitude toward me was hard to describe. Because of what Mrs. Langley Senior said, I was really careful to keep my distance. I wasn't about to throw myself at someone who clearly didn't care."
"It was my fault," Marcus admitted again, not for the first time. "All of it was my fault."
If Marcus hadn't overheard Grace's words and assumed Natalie was someone clinging to power to get back at Tyler and Selena, he wouldn't have treated her so coldly.
"Let's not talk about the past," Natalie said with a smile. "Let's think about where we want to go for our honeymoon after the wedding."
"Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
Natalie thought for a moment. "A lot of places, actually, but none of them are popular cities. You could even call them obscure. You might not have even heard of them."
"Say it, and I'll know."
"They're mostly small mountain villages," Natalie said as she handed her phone to Marcus. "This one is called Brindlewood, a historic little town. It's misty and rainy all year round, making it look like something straight out of a countryside postcard.
"I'd like to spend a few days there."
Marcus looked at it and agreed without hesitation. "Alright. After the wedding, we'll go there."
"Really?"
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Marcus laughed. "Now that Father's back, he'll stay at Holden Residence for Laura. If I bring it up with Mom, she will definitely agree, and if Mom agrees, Father will, too.
"He's been by her side all these years while she received treatment. Now that she's better, they ended up divorced, but they still love each other. As long as they stay together every day, their relationship won't fade. Whether they remarry or not doesn't matter anymore. They only have eyes for each other.
"Mom is constantly on edge. Father can't bear to put her through any more hardships. I think they'll go on living like they always have—just without the marriage certificate."
"That works. As long as they're happy."
They chatted casually. Once the food arrived, they ate while continuing their conversation. Marcus listened carefully as Natalie spoke about Brindlewood.
"There's a famous mountain in Brindlewood," she told him. "It's said to be filled with rare plants no one can recognize. Some are protected species and can't be touched, but some are precious herbs."
At the mention of herbs, Natalie glanced at Marcus. "You used herbs to tempt me before. Remember that?"
Marcus nodded. "Yes, I remember. At Goodwill Pharmacy."
Natalie smiled. "Your memory's pretty good. That illustrated book I copied from The Book Sanctum at your family's place—the plants in it, you still remember them, right? Mr. Langton wanted every single one of those rare plants. Even now, he hasn't managed to collect them all. That mountain in Brindlewood might have some.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...
Finished till 538....Waiting for more...
This really hurts. I am confused if Yvette sent a msg saying old love to Charles through Charlene. Why isnt it in her confession. Or did she actually set vivian up into sleeping with that man? And later blackmailed vivian with it till vivian commited suicide? Did Yvetty yhinks Charles would marry her after vivians death but he remained loyal. Hence her anger?...
Hope Nat can cure Marcus' mom. Looking forward to new updates. Thank you...
When will other chapters be updated...
Every chapter gets sweeter..and oh! I'm sure Nat's new patient is Marcus' mom - though the illness is quite intriguing....anyway, looking forward for the next updates! Thank you...
What an ending to the chapter...nice one..hoping for more updates...thank you...
OMG, OMG, OMG, this is getting better and better. Nat and Marcus are getting married!!!!! Yehey! Please update more..after a big drama ot is really nice to have love and a little happy events in between. Pretty please, update more. Can't wait!! Thank you so much!...
Recent updates are so good. Natalie's and Marcus' love story is also progressing...so, so good and exciting. Please update more. Thank you...