Chapter 670
“You all…” Natalie’s voice startled them. Austin, Hank, and the hotel staff turned.
Her eyes were slightly red, barely perceptible, and her mood seemed subdued. She’d been considering retouching her makeup when she’d found them waiting. After assuring themselves everything was alright, the staff departed.
Immediately, Austin noticed Natalie’s unusual demeanor. “Is something wrong?” he asked.
Hank, realizing they'd been searching for him, explained, “You weren’t answering your calls, so we had to get the hotel involved. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Natalie replied. “I just stepped out. My phone must have been on silent. Sorry.” She checked her phone, realizing she’d muted it after Jeremy’s call.
Austin’s gaze grew somber. Natalie entered the room. “I bought some things. Let’s eat.”
Hank discreetly watched Austin, almost reminding himself of Natalie’s marital status. Fortunately, Austin remained composed.
“Perfect. I’m hungry,” Austin said.
Hank checked the time. “We have half an hour before we need to leave. We should eat now.”
Natalie seemed preoccupied, her usual talkativeness a symptom of her troubled state. Neither Austin nor Hank commented.
Only half an hour later, while heading downstairs, did they understand. They saw Jeremy entering a nearby car. He glanced at Natalie, then at Austin, before the car window rolled up.
The ensuing silence was heavy. Hank felt a strange constriction in his chest. He leaned toward Austin, whispering, “What did that look mean?” Jeremy’s gaze had seemed appraising, almost rivalrous.
Even Austin’s usual calm was disrupted. His coldness unnerved Hank, who knew Austin well enough to recognize this as self-inflicted complication.
Hank glanced at Natalie. Her light makeup improved her appearance, yet, the fleeting bewilderment on her face upon seeing Jeremy was undeniable. The tension between them was palpable. Hank had always doubted their reconciliation would last. Natalie’s stubborn nature made accepting Jeremy’s past infidelities seem improbable.
In the car, the silence persisted. Hank chose silence, instead focusing on the challenges ahead.