Chapter 68

Easton couldn’t take his eyes off Natalie, who stood before him in a sleek black business suit. Her long legs were on full display, and her face radiated confidence. That brief smile she gave in the breeze earlier was captivating.

He found that since leaving him, Natalie had somehow become dazzlingly radiant.

Easton suddenly realized he didn’t know her at all. She had always been so well-behaved and considerate. After they got married, she never argued and never caused a scene. Her only complaint was about how close he was to Jennifer, but in every other way, she had been perfect.

Yet now, this version of Natalie was brimming with charm and womanly allure, as if she were an entirely different person.

Seeing Easton, Natalie felt nothing but irritation.

Before the divorce, it had been hard to catch even a glimpse of him.

Now, after the divorce, she ran into him every day.

Wearing two-inch heels, Natalie walked with steady steps, exuding grace and poise. Under the lights, she was as radiant as the stars, drawing everyone’s attention with her undeniable allure.

She looked like the queen of the workplace, radiating intelligence.

Easton narrowed his eyes. “Come home with me. Stop this. I was wrong about what happened before, and I apologize. I’m sorry!”

Natalie was disgusted by his shamelessness.

She let out a laugh, her anger seeping through. “Easton, haven’t I already told you? You don’t have the right to apologize. Don’t bother. You’re not worthy! We’re going through a divorce. Do me a favor and stay far away from me.”

She was starting to feel a headache coming on as she thought, ‘How am I supposed to get rid of this scumbag? Why hasn’t the divorce been finalized yet?’

“Natalie, I’ve already apologized. What more do you want?” Easton asked with a frown. He was too proud to have ever apologized to anyone.

Natalie smiled mockingly, looking as charming as ever.

She said, “Easton, do you have any idea how much I’ve endured this past year? Do you really think a simple ‘sorry’ is enough to make me forgive you? You’re too naive.

“You want to stay with Jennifer while still being married to me, but I’m not going to help you with your fantasy. Please speed up the divorce case, so you can marry your precious ‘pure and perfect’ Jennifer. You two are made for each other.”

She lifted her slender ring finger, laughing with disdain.

Then she continued, “How ridiculous was our marriage? All I received was a marriage certificate—no wedding ring, nothing. Do you really think I care about a marriage like that? Do you honestly believe I would be reluctant to leave a man as unfaithful and terrible as you?”

Natalie’s gaze turned icy as she added, “Get as far away from me as you can.”

In this life, she just wanted to shine on her own.

Easton’s eyes flickered with guilt.

He thought, ‘She is right. This marriage has always been about me using her. She knew it, but she still agreed. I didn’t even bother to buy her a wedding ring.’

“Natalie, if you like rings, I’ll take you to buy one tomorrow,” Easton said. He owed her that much.

Natalie looked at him, confused. Her eyes were so beautiful that some men might interpret their gaze as a silent invitation.

She said, “Easton, how many times do I have to tell you? There’s no future for us. I’m done with you. Jennifer is the one you’ll share your future with.

“She has loved deeply for many years. Don’t let her down. She’s the perfect match for you. Besides, don’t forget that you cheated on me with her, tried hard to protect her, and even spent billions fixing her mistakes.”

With that, Natalie turned and walked away.

Easton wanted to follow her, but Luna quickly stopped him, saying, “Mr. Garcia, Ms. Shawn is exhausted today. Please, don’t disturb her any further.”

Easton frowned, bloodlust flickering in his deep eyes as he watched Natalie’s slender figure retreating.

Now he realized that Natalie was serious about not coming back with him.

Luna only turned to leave after seeing that Easton remained still.

Easton watched as Natalie got into the luxury car parked by the roadside. Luna took the driver’s seat, and they drove off together.

He clenched his hands at his sides. Natalie had misunderstood him far too deeply.

Taking a deep breath, he turned around, only to find Wesley standing behind him.

Wesley chuckled, his eyes flickering with a trace of light. “Easton, Xavier told me what’s been happening lately. To be honest, if I were in Natalie’s shoes, I wouldn’t forgive you either. I heard that last night, to help Jennifer, you gave Murray that piece of land on the west end of the city. The Spencer Group has been thriving these past few years. But look at you, giving nothing to your ex-wife while showering Jennifer with billions. If it were me, I’d assume you loved Jennifer, too.”

Easton frowned. “You don’t understand. Jennifer and I grew up together…”

But then he couldn’t continue.

Thinking about what Jennifer had done recently, he decided that last night would be the last time he offered her assistance.

“That was the last time. It won’t happen again,” Easton said before walking away. The memory of Natalie’s sorrowful gaze weighed heavily on his heart.

Wesley watched Easton’s tall figure retreat, shaking his head slightly. He didn’t believe it would be the last time.

What he did believe, however, was that Natalie would never go back to Easton.

Easton had grown up in darkness. He didn’t understand love.

All he knew was that Jennifer had grown up with him, like family.

If something happened to her, he would be the first to step in and protect her.

Catching up to Easton, Wesley delivered a blow that struck Easton to the core. He said, “Easton, Jennifer may have grown up with you, but Natalie is your wife. How can you side with an outsider and hurt your own wife?

“Even if the evidence was right in front of you, you should’ve at least listened to your wife’s explanation. Take my advice: let Natalie go. She will never get back together with you.”

Easton clenched his fists, annoyed that Wesley had said too much.

Then he said, “Come on, let’s go get dinner.” He hadn’t eaten yet, waiting around for Natalie.

His stomach ached slightly, making him uncomfortable.

Wesley strolled over casually and got into the car with him. Xavier started the engine.

Easton said, “Take us to the private dining place up ahead.”

Xavier replied, “Got it, Mr. Garcia.”

Wesley scrolled through his phone, not continuing the earlier conversation.

He knew that once Easton made up his mind, nothing could change it, so he had no desire to talk anymore and risk upsetting him.

Wesley’s eyes sparkled with fascination as he thought about Natalie tonight. She was stunning—breathtaking, even.

He was aware of why Easton had married Natalie and knew that Easton had started off on the wrong foot in his marriage. Easton sat in silence, eyes lowered, lost in thought.

His phone buzzed. When he glanced down, he saw it was a call from Jennifer.

Without hesitation, he rejected it.

Natalie’s words echoed in his mind: “Whenever Jennifer calls, you always leave me behind.”

Then Easton remembered that not long ago, Jennifer had called him away when Natalie wasn’t feeling well.

Irritated that Natalie hadn’t mentioned her condition to him, he closed his eyes.

At the Simpson residence, Jennifer had called Easton multiple times that day, but he hadn’t answered any of her calls.

Feeling increasingly anxious, she thought, ‘Natalie’s recent counterattacks have shown Easton my true colors. Does he believe her now? Doesn’t he trust me anymore?’

On the verge of tears, Jennifer saw her father coming downstairs and cried out in panic, “Dad, what do I do? Easton won’t answer my calls anymore!”