The pool water rushed into her nose,choking Natalie instantly.
She flailed her arms and shouted up toward the second-floor balcony,“Daniel!Help me!”
She saw Daniel rush down in a panic,but he stopped at the edge of the pool.Then he pulled Jennifer into his arms.“You’ve suffered because of Natalie.Now it’s her turn to learn a lesson.”
He looked down at Natalie as she struggled,eyes full of something that might once have been concern but now read as cold calculation,and he did not move.Natalie stared at him in stunned disbelief;the world narrowed to the sharp,desperate rhythm of her breath.Everything went black as she weakened from lack of air.
Right before she lost consciousness,Daniel shrugged off his jacket,dove in and hauled her out.His touch was efficient,his face hard.“Natalie,this is just a warning.If you hurt Jennifer again,I don’t know what I’ll do.”
When she woke,raised voices downstairs pulled her back.She opened the bedroom door and saw Daniel and Jennifer arguing.Jennifer clutched a suitcase in one hand and kept hold of Rihanna with the other,making a show of trembling tears.
“Daniel,let go.Instead of waiting for Natalie to force us out,I’d rather take Rihanna and leave now.”
With that she shook off Daniel’s hand and moved to go.Daniel’s eyes were full of pity and pain;he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jennifer’s waist.“No.As long as I’m here,no one will chase you away.You and Rihanna can stay.What happened yesterday was Natalie’s fault.I already punished her.She won’t touch you again.”
Natalie walked down the stairs slowly,blade-cold smile aimed at Jennifer.“If you truly wanted to leave,you would’ve left last night while Daniel slept.”
Jennifer hesitated,bit her lip,and then dropped to her knees.“Natalie,it’s my fault.I shouldn’t have come between you and Daniel.If you two are okay,I’ll go.”
She stood,opened the villa door and began to walk out.Daniel grabbed her arm and shouted,“Enough!”
He whirled to Natalie,anger burning in his eyes.“Natalie,don’t you think this house has had enough chaos?Jennifer never tried to hurt you.Why do you keep going after her?”His voice carried the disappointment of a packmate who expected loyalty.“We’ve been bound three years.When did you become so jealous?I barely recognize you.”
Natalie lowered her head and stepped closer,the words cutting.“You don’t recognize me because your heart was never with me.All you care about is Jennifer.”
“If you’ve chosen to let her stay,then I’ll go.”
The villa reeked of Daniel’s scent,a constant reminder of a bond twisted into betrayal.Natalie did not want any of it;she left everything behind.
As she stepped out the door,Daniel’s voice followed her,angry and final.“Natalie,there’s a limit to jealousy.If you walk out today,don’t bother coming back!”
She did not turn.In her mind she repeated it like a vow:fine,I won’t return.
Outside,she took out her phone and sent a message.
[When will the heart-source be found?]
The reply came quickly:[We’ve got news.Just wait two more days.]
In two days,she would be able to leave this place for good.
