Chapter 29

“Natalie, can you just hear me out? Jennifer didn’t mean to–” Easton tried to reason with Natalie.

But she cut him off with a slicing motion of her hand. “Enough, Easton. Jennifer’s problems are yours to deal with. I’m not your fix-it girl anymore.” Natalie’s voice dripped with disdain as she spoke, her eyes cold and distant.

The sting of his past betrayal was still raw, and Natalie’s anger was a living thing. She spoke with strained calm. “I almost forgot that you couldn’t see through Jennifer’s lies. Believe her all you want. I’m leaving.” With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Easton behind with a pained, regretful expression as he watched her leave.

Easton just wanted to apologize for doubting her, but she seemed unwilling to hear it. He felt bad for not protecting her from Murray’s slap and for believing the false evidence. It hadn't crossed his mind that she was really framed.

In the distance, Lambert and Valerie were a stark contrast to the tension, clapping and cheering.

Lambert’s eyes glistened with tears. “Valerie, she’s grown up, hasn’t she? My Natalie’s finally seen the truth about that heartless man.”

Valerie, touched by his affectionate tone, nodded reassuringly. “Grandpa Lambert, Natalie’s got a clear head on her shoulders. Everything’s going to be alright. You’ll be around for her big moments.”

Lambert’s laughter lit up the room. “Hearing you say that, I can finally relax. I’ll be here to walk her down the aisle and bounce her babies on my knee.”

Seeing the tears in his eyes, Valerie offered him a comforting smile. “No tears, Grandpa Lambert. Let’s go find Natalie.”

“These are tears of happiness,” he said, emotion evident in his voice. It warmed his heart to see his granddaughter show such bravery.

As Natalie reached for the elevator button, Wendy’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Natalie.”

Easton, who had been about to leave, also froze at the sound of his wife’s name.

Wendy rushed over, her voice trembling with urgency. “Natalie, please, we need your help. Jennifer’s in trouble. Murray is talking about breaking her hands.”

Natalie was surprised by this new turn; in her past life, Murray had been Jennifer’s right-hand man, helping her bully Natalie. Tonight, by breaking her hands, she was just settling scores from her previous life.

Natalie’s brow lifted, a smirk playing on her lips. “When Murray was after me, who came to my defense? You all just stood by, enjoying my pain. Why should I help Jennifer now? Wendy, you’ve got a lot of nerve asking this of me.”

Wendy hesitated, her face falling as she realized her mistake. “Natalie, I didn’t know the truth. I thought you’d actually hurt Mrs. Spencer–”

“Does it even matter now?” Natalie cut her off. “You’d still believe Jennifer over me. I never once schemed against her, but you never bothered to look into it.

“You guys took her side without question and turned your backs on me. I’ve cut ties and signed the divorce papers. Have I reached out even once since then?”

Wendy was silent, the weight of her actions settling in. But she couldn’t just stand by while Jennifer suffered. “Natalie, if you help Jennifer now, we’ll call it even. I swear it.” There was a desperate hope in her eyes as she made her plea.