When I woke up, I found myself lying in my own bed.
Turning my head, I saw Daniel next to me.
Noticing my gaze, he opened his eyes and pulled me into his arms, his voice soft with guilt. “Natalie, you’re awake. Do you want to sleep a little longer?”
Feeling the warmth of his chest, I felt a sharp ache and pushed him away.
“Daniel, what are you pretending for?”
He froze for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry. I thought Mom was just trying to scare you. I didn’t think those two servants would really lock you in the storage room.”
“Mom went a little too far this time, but you were the one who hurt Jennifer.”
Even now, he was still making excuses. I looked down and let out a cold laugh. “If you hadn’t said what you did, would they have dared to lock me up?”
I paused, then added, “Since your mom already treats Jennifer like her real daughter-in-law, why don’t I just leave? Then you and Jennifer can be together and your mom won’t be upset every time she sees me.”
With that, I got up and started to walk away.
Daniel quickly pulled me into a hug, his voice shaking. “Natalie, after three years together, I won’t let you go.”
“Are you still upset about Jennifer? Then I’ll ask her to move out. I won’t see her again.”
His words might fool a young girl, but I won’t fall for them again.
I shoved him away. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Jennifer suddenly threw open the bedroom door.
She froze, eyes wide in shock. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Daniel.
“No need to kick me out. I’ll take Rihanna and leave right now.”
With that, she turned and walked out. Daniel looked panicked and jumped out of bed to chase her, not even sparing me a glance.
Watching him run down the hallway, I couldn’t help but follow.
Jennifer stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the two-meter-deep swimming pool.
Her eyes were red as she looked at Daniel, her voice shaking. “Daniel, if even you don’t want me anymore, then I’ll just jump. I know you and Natalie are the real couple, but I can’t help feeling jealous.”
“Please take care of Rihanna after I’m gone. And don’t try to stop me.”
She stepped toward the railing.
Daniel rushed forward and hugged Jennifer tightly, his eyes full of pain.
“I’m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things. But the one I truly love is you. We still have Rihanna. If you really jump, what will happen to her? What about me?”
He looked at Jennifer with deep affection. Watching their little love scene unfold, I stepped out from the shadows and slowly clapped.
The moment Daniel saw me, his face froze.
He opened his mouth, then finally said with difficulty, “Natalie, I’ll explain everything tonight, okay?”
I shook my head and looked at him calmly. “No need. I’ll leave on my own soon. I won’t get in the way of your love.”
I turned to leave, but Daniel reached out to stop me.
Before he could grab me, Jennifer stepped in front of me.
“Natalie, please don’t leave Daniel because of me. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought Rihanna here and I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Daniel. I should be the one to leave.”
Seeing Jennifer’s fake expression made me feel sick.
I said coldly, “Are you done? If you are, then move out of the way.”
But instead of stepping aside, Jennifer grabbed my arm. “Natalie, you and Daniel have to stay well. That way, I’ll feel better even if I leave…”
I gave her a mocking smile and pulled my arm free from her grip.
But the next second, Jennifer screamed, threw up her arm and fell backward.
Daniel, looking panicked, pushed me aside and rushed to catch her.
He held her tightly by the waist, his voice full of relief. “Thank goodness you’re okay. I would’ve never forgiven myself if something happened to you.”
But he didn’t see that I had fallen from the second-floor balcony into the pool.
