When Natalie woke,she found herself lying in her own bed.
She turned her head and saw Daniel beside her.Noticing her gaze,he opened his eyes and pulled her into his arms,his voice soft with a guilty timbre.“Natalie,you’re awake.Do you want to sleep a little longer?”
Feeling the warmth of his chest—the steady,familiar heat of a mate and pack-bond—a sharp ache cut through her and she pushed him away.
“Daniel,what are you pretending for?”
He froze,then answered,“I’m sorry.I thought Mother was only trying to scare you.I didn’t think those two retainers would actually lock you in the cellar.”
“Mother went too far this time,but you were the one who hurt Jennifer.”
Even now he made excuses.Natalie let out a cold,humorless laugh.“If you hadn’t said what you did,would they have dared to lock me up?”
She paused,then added,“Since your mother already treats Jennifer like her real daughter-in-law,why don’t I just leave?Then you and Jennifer can be together and your mother won’t be upset every time she sees me.”
With that,she rose and started to walk away.
Daniel moved quickly and pulled her 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 have fooled a naive girl;Natalie would not fall for them again.She shoved him away.Just as she opened her mouth to speak,the bedroom door burst open and Jennifer stood in the doorway,frozen,eyes wide,tears welling.
“No need to kick me out.I’ll take Rihanna and leave right now.”
With that,she turned and hurried away.Daniel sprang from the bed in a panic and chased after her,not even glancing at Natalie.
Natalie followed him down the hall.
Jennifer waited on the second-floor balcony,staring down at the two-meter-deep swimming pool below.Her eyes were rimmed red as she faced Daniel,voice trembling.“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 stop feeling jealous.”
“Please take care of Rihanna after I’m gone.Don’t try to stop me.”
She stepped toward the railing.
Daniel lunged and wrapped his arms tightly around Jennifer,eyes full of anguish.“I’m sorry.It was my fault.I shouldn’t have said those things.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 an affection that made Natalie’s skin crawl.Watching their little spectacle unfold,Natalie stepped from the shadows and slowly began to clap.
When Daniel saw her,his face went numb.He opened his mouth,then finally said with difficulty,“Natalie,I’ll explain everything tonight,okay?”
She shook her head and met him coolly.“No need.I’ll leave on my own soon.I won’t get in the way of your love.”
She turned to go,but Daniel reached out as if to stop her.Before he could touch her,Jennifer stepped between them.
“Natalie,please don’t leave Daniel because of me.This is 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.”
Jennifer’s false contrition made Natalie sick.
“Are you done?If so,move aside.”
Instead of stepping back,Jennifer grabbed Natalie’s arm.“Natalie,you and Daniel have to stay well.That way I’ll feel better even if I leave…”
Natalie gave a mocking smile and wrenched her arm free.
The next instant Jennifer screamed,flung up an arm and stumbled backward.Daniel,panic-stricken,shoved Natalie aside and lunged to catch her.He held Jennifer at the waist,voice trembling with relief.“Thank goodness you’re okay.I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
He did not see Natalie slip from the balcony;she fell into the pool below.
