Chapter 9
James was relaxed in his chair, a cocky smile on his face. “There you go, finally tuning in to what I’m saying.”
Natalie wasn’t happy about it. She sulked with a big pout. In her past life, things had happened differently—Emma had fainted before her. Now, she found herself in Jennifer’s hands, making Jennifer look like the hero. Am I doomed to keep repeating the same story? she wondered.
She remembered seeing Emma’s grandson once—a guy so good-looking that it was almost unfair.
Jennifer had become Murray’s friend by taking Natalie’s credit, and through their hangouts, she’d learned secrets to assist a mysterious man. Natalie had been in the dark about his identity and had never found out in her past life.
James teased, “The news is all about how Jennifer rescued Mrs. Spencer. But when I found you, you were just as soaked. So, come on, you’re a great swimmer. Are you telling me you had an accident?” His sarcasm didn’t sit well with Natalie.
“Did you leave your filter at home today?” Natalie asked, her voice flat.
James furrowed his brow, not immediately grasping her meaning. “What do you mean? My filter?”
Natalie stayed quiet. It dawned on James that she was being sarcastic. He rose to his feet, his voice laced with irritation. “Alright! Thanks for nothing, you little rascal. Your ex is here, and he seems to have the wrong idea about us.”
“Whatever,” Natalie scoffed. “I couldn’t care less if that jerk disappeared. Blind and heartless jerk…” Unable to change her fate, she was angry and took it out on Easton.
Easton, just arriving at the door, heard Natalie’s defiant words and frowned. He noticed she was getting braver in confronting him.
James, noticing Easton, continued, “You’re just figuring out he’s a jerk? After he slapped you around? Natalie, you’re something else. Hit me up when you’re done with him. I’m cooking up your favorite lobster for tonight.”
Natalie sat up quickly. “Don’t touch my food. Be here in five minutes.”
James glanced at his watch, a fond look in his eyes. “Deal. You’ve got five minutes.” With that, he left, not sparing Easton a glance.
Easton watched the intimacy between them, a strange irritation brewing inside him. He stepped in, his intense gaze fixed on Natalie, whose pale, fragile face was both pitiful and strikingly beautiful.
His eyes flashed with anger as he thought of James leaving. “Have you been with him these past three months?” he asked, his voice sharp.
Natalie was well aware of Easton’s resources; if he wanted to know something, he’d find out. His words told her he hadn’t been looking for her. A pang of pain shot through her, but she kept her expression cold.
“Get to the point or get out,” she snapped. The memory of him pushing her off a building in her past life filled her with loathing. She’d been excited about the baby on the way, but his shove had sent her and their child to a hellish end.
“Natalie, how long are you going to keep this up?” Easton’s patience was wearing thin. He was hoping she could just go back to being the obedient wife she used to be.
“Jennifer messed up, and I was wrong to hit you. Now, come home with me.” Easton was eager to move on. Jennifer had set up a business meeting with Murray for him, and he needed to be there.
“Home?” Natalie echoed, looking at Easton’s handsome face. He’d never had any patience for her, unlike with Jennifer.
In her old life, Natalie had been Easton’s loyal admirer, all because of his looks. Was I insane? she wondered. There were so many handsome guys around. Why was I fixated on just one, especially someone so flawed?
Easton had grown up in a chaotic family. His father had been a womanizer with kids outside the marriage, and his mother was in a mental institution.
Easton’s somber personality was a product of that environment. Jennifer had been his beacon in the darkness, but she’d abandoned him at the first sign of trouble.
She suddenly recalled that she had never encountered that illegitimate child in her past life. Lost in thought, she was jolted by Easton’s deep, indifferent voice. “Natalie, are you even listening to me?”