Chapter 337

Natalie caught his scrutinizing gaze and froze for a moment. Talking about work had made her forget what he had done earlier.

Her expression suddenly turned serious as she declared, “Mr. Garcia, my affairs have nothing to do with you. I won’t work with you. You’re nothing but a cunning old fox. I’ll find someone I trust to collaborate with. I don’t trust you, so there’s no chance of us working together.”

Natalie’s stance was clear. The research project was already well-developed. If she hadn’t spent so much time with Easton before, the product would have hit the market a year ago. Now that Chris had returned, she had decided to pick it back up.

Once doubt arises, guilt is assumed. Natalie had drained all her love for Easton and now felt only disappointment and disillusionment toward him.

Easton stared at her intently, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “So, who’s the person you trust the most? Maurice?”

Natalie nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I trust his character. I’ve worked with him for a while, and I can see he’s a person of integrity.”

Anger flared briefly in Easton’s eyes. He thought, ‘Maurice has integrity, but I don’t! That’s what she believes. But how does she know someone is behind Jennifer? She seems to know so much about the future.’

“Natalie, have I ever told you something? I will never divorce you. Either you work with me, or no one works on this project,” Easton said firmly.

His forceful, magnetic voice carried an undeniable authority, easily piercing through her defenses.

Hearing his domineering tone, Natalie was furious. “Easton, what’s the point of all this? You’ve wanted a divorce countless times before, and I granted it. Now you don’t want one? What exactly do you want?”

Easton replied calmly, “Not divorcing you–that’s what I want right now. Natalie, everyone makes mistakes, and I made one before. You can take your time considering the partnership. In business, I always value integrity.”

He stood up, his tall figure towering over Natalie. “I’m going to take a shower.”

Natalie frowned, thinking, ‘He’s as hypocritical as he is rude. Integrity in business? Nonsense. Anyone who’s dealt with his methods would find them terrifying. Why is he showering in my house? How rude!’

She glared at Easton. “This is my house. Why are you showering here? Go back to your place. How can you be so shameless? Or is your memory failing you, and you’ve forgotten who the woman you truly love is?”

Natalie was furious at Easton’s shameless behavior. He had been the one to propose the divorce, yet now that she'd agreed, he started clinging to her.

Easton took off his coat, placed it on the sofa, and then casually said, “Natalie, since you won’t come back home with me, then I’ll stay here. Have you ever heard of a married couple living apart?”

“Ha!” Natalie scoffed, amused by his words. “Easton, you’re truly shameless. How long do you plan to keep using this ‘marriage’ excuse? I’ve moved on. I don’t want you anymore. So, get out, or I’ll have Jennifer come and take you back.”

Easton frowned at her. Noticing the coldness in her eyes, he got angry. “Natalie, didn’t you say you loved me? Is this how you love me?”

His fists clenched tightly. He could feel how much she used to love him.

Whenever he came home for dinner, the world lit up with joy. She would grow herbs for Emile and make him a cup of coffee.

The coffee she brewed was refreshing and wreathing. He loved it, and every night he felt better after drinking it.

It had been almost a year since he left, and he hadn’t done well since. He had lost his taste and he missed its comforting flavor.

Now, he believed it was true that people only learn to cherish something dearly after it’s gone; the more he lost her, the more he felt like he was loving her.

The marriage certificate was the only thing binding them together.

Natalie felt a sharp pain in her chest. She thought back to those two years when she longed for him to see and look at her, even just once. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she quickly wiped them away.

She said, “Easton, when you were with Jennifer, your relationship was so obviously inappropriate. How could I have been so blind?”

Easton had already begun unbuttoning his shirt. When he heard her words, his movements stilled.

Seeing the tears streaking down her face, he felt an oppressive ache in his chest.

“I don’t want that, and I don’t want you. Did I ever say I liked the kind of relationship you shared with Jennifer? You should hurry up and marry her instead of dragging me into this mess,” Natalie urged, rejecting his advances.

“But I’ve never been with Jennifer. Why won’t you believe me?” Easton's shirt was now fully unbuttoned. He knew Natalie wouldn’t believe his words.

Natalie kept her head down, not looking at him. She found his words laughable and replied coldly, “Nothing happens without some cause of our own. You and Jennifer are disgusting.”

Easton took a deep breath. He knew he was in the wrong, so he held back his anger. “Natalie, I’m tired,” he said with a yawn before heading to the bathroom.

Watching him come and go so freely, as if her home were his, Natalie grew even more frustrated. She grabbed her phone and scrolled to Jennifer’s number.

But then she hesitated. If Jennifer found out she lived here, she’d probably show up to cause trouble. Annoyed, she decided to call Xavier instead.

“M–Mrs. Garcia…” Xavier stammered.

Natalie froze. “I am not Mrs. Garcia! Are you outside the villa? Come take your boss away! What’s he doing here in the middle of the night? He might not care about dignity, but I do!”

Xavier fell silent, thinking, “Whenever this couple argues, I’m always the one who suffers.”

He said, “Mrs. Garcia, Mr. Garcia is your husband. It’s only natural for you two to live under the same roof. I am not outside the villa–he drove there himself. Mrs. García, I need to go now; I have things to investigate. I’ll let you know once I find something.”

Natalie frowned and thought, Xavier must be sick, calling me Mrs. García.

Shaking her head, she stood up and listened to the sound of water running from the bathroom, her brows furrowing deeper.

She thought, ‘Easton is becoming harder and harder for me to understand.’

She sat down on her soft bed, covered with a natural silk comforter, warm and plush.

This bed and blanket were her favorites. After falling out with her grandfather, she missed him and her three older brothers most, but this bed came a close second.

Natalie lay face down on the bed, the warmth of the heating bringing a rosy hue to her cheeks, enhancing her allure.

She shut her eyes in frustration, wondering if she should call the police, but Easton was still her husband, at least on paper.

Accusing him of trespassing wouldn’t hold water–the police would never believe her.

“Ughhh!” Natalie groaned, banging her head against the blanket a few times. The blanket carried her unique, subtle scent.

“I’m so tired,” Natalie muttered, pulling the blanket over herself. Just then, Easton’s phone rang.

Natalie quickly sat up, and when she saw Jennifer’s name on the screen, she was overjoyed and quickly swiped to answer the call.