CHAPTER NINE

Natalie spent the next hour trying to concentrate on the books spread across the library table.

She couldn’t.

Every few minutes, her eyes drifted back to her phone.

She still couldn’t believe Adrian had called just to tell her he was coming home early.

Not because of a business dinner, but simply because he wanted to have dinner with her.

A smile tugged at her lips before she quickly shook her head.

“Stop smiling.”

She muttered to herself.

“It’s just dinner.”

Yet her heart refused to listen.

By late afternoon, the golden rays of the sun filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, bathing the halls in a soft amber glow.

Natalie had changed into a simple cream-colored strapless dress.

Compared to the extravagant outfits Maria usually wore, this was rather modest.

She looked at herself in the mirror before smoothing invisible wrinkles from the skirt.

“What if he doesn’t like it?”

The question slipped out before she could stop herself.

Immediately, she frowned.

“Why do I even care?”

Because somewhere along the way…

Adrian had stopped being the cold stranger she had been forced to marry.

He had become someone whose opinion mattered…and

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Madam?”

Mrs. Carter stepped inside with a warm smile.

“Mr. Lewis has arrived.”

Natalie’s heartbeat quickened.

“So soon?, wow He came home earlier than the early I had expected.”

Mrs. Carter noticed the nervous expression on Natalie’s face and smiled knowingly.

“You don’t have to be anxious.”

“I’m not anxious.”

“No?”

Mrs. Carter chuckled softly.

“Then why have you changed your earrings three times?”

Natalie’s eyes widened.

“You noticed?”

“I notice everything.”

Embarrassed, Natalie laughed quietly before following the housekeeper downstairs.

The front doors had just opened when she reached the foyer.

Adrian stepped inside, removing his suit jacket as one of the servants took it from him.

He looked tired.

But the moment his eyes landed on Natalie…

Something in his expression softened.

“There you are.”

His voice was gentle.

Almost relieved.

Natalie smiled.

“You came home early.”

“I said I would.”

He loosened the knot of his tie before looking her over for a brief second.

The cream dress suited her.

“You look beautiful.”

Natalie felt warmth creep into her cheeks.

“Thank you.”

“You do too.”

He laughed quietly.

“I’m still wearing my office clothes.”

“I know.”

“But you still look nice.”

For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other.

Neither seemed eager to break the silence.

Mrs. Carter discreetly cleared her throat.

“I’ll have dinner served in thirty minutes.”

Adrian nodded.

“Actually…”

He turned back to Natalie.

“I had something else in mind first.”

She tilted her head curiously.

“What is it?”

“Come with me.”

Natalie followed him through the mansion.

Instead of heading toward the dining room, Adrian led her through a pair of tall glass doors that opened onto the back gardens.

The evening air was cool.

A soft breeze stirred the trees, carrying the sweet fragrance of blooming roses.

The estate stretched farther than Natalie had realized.

Beautiful walking paths wound through perfectly trimmed hedges, fountains shimmered beneath the fading sunlight, and flowering trees lined the stone pathways.

“It’s beautiful.”

She breathed.

“I’ve never seen this part of the estate.”

Adrian glanced at her.

“I thought you might like it.”

They walked in comfortable silence for several moments.

For once…

Neither of them felt the need to fill the quiet.

Eventually, Adrian spoke.

“Can I ask you something?”

Natalie looked at him.

“Of course.”

“What was your favorite season growing up?”

The question caught her completely off guard.

“My… favorite season?”

He nodded.

“I realized something today.”

“What?”

“I don’t know everything about my own wife.”

Natalie’s smile faded ever so slightly.

If only he knew why.

She was in his shoes as well.

She looked ahead, buying herself a few seconds to think.

“Rainy season.”

The answer slipped out naturally.

Adrian smiled.

“Really?”

She nodded.

“I like the sound of rain.”

She laughed softly.

“It always made me feel…”

She stopped herself.

Made me feel safe at the orphanage.

The words nearly escaped.

She quickly corrected herself.

“…peaceful.”

Adrian watched her thoughtfully.

“I didn’t expect that answer.”

“What did you expect?”

“Summer.”

She laughed.

“Why?”

“You always complained that rain ruined your shoes.”

Natalie’s heart skipped.

“Oh…”

She forced a small smile.

“Maybe I’ve changed.”

“Maybe.”

His tone was light.

But something thoughtful lingered in his eyes.

He didn’t question her further.

Instead, he asked another question.

“If you could do anything in the world…”

“What would it be?”

This time, Natalie answered without thinking.

“I’d own a little restaurant.”

The words escaped before she could stop them.

She froze.

Restaurant?

Maria wasn’t a chef.

Adrian looked surprised.

“A restaurant?”

Natalie’s mind raced.

“I mean…”

“A café.”

She laughed awkwardly.

“Or… perhaps somewhere people could eat and relax.”

Adrian smiled.

“I can actually picture that.”

“You can?”

“You’d probably spend more time talking to the customers than making money.”

She laughed.

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

“You’ve always had a thing for social gatherings.”

His words made something inside her ache.

If only he knew…

He wasn’t describing Maria.

He was describing Natalie.

They continued walking until they reached a quiet gazebo overlooking a small lake.

The setting sun painted the water in shades of gold and orange.

It was breathtaking.

Natalie leaned lightly against the wooden railing.

“I’ve never seen anything this beautiful.”

Adrian looked at her instead of the view.

“So have I .”

She turned toward him.

For a heartbeat…

Neither of them spoke.

The world around them seemed to disappear.

Then—

A loud ringtone shattered the moment.

Adrian sighed as he reached into his pocket.

“It’s Ethan.”

Natalie smiled.

“You should answer.”

“I know.”

He glanced at the screen before looking back at her.

“I’ll only be a minute.”

He stepped a short distance away to take the call.

Natalie watched him for a second before turning back toward the lake.

A small smile curved her lips.

Without realizing it…

She was happy.

Truly happy.

And that frightened her.

Because every day she spent falling for Adrian…

The truth became harder to hide .

Far beyond the estate walls…

A dark-colored sedan slowed to a stop across the road.

Inside, Maria lowered her sunglasses.

Her eyes settled on the distant figures walking through the gardens.

She couldn’t hear their conversation.

But she didn’t need to.

The way Adrian looked at the woman beside him…

The softness in his eyes…

The ease of his smile…

It was enough.

Maria’s fingers curled tightly around her handbag.

For the first time…

Jealousy settled deep inside her chest.

Not because another woman had married Adrian.

But because she was receiving the affection Maria had never wanted…

Until now.

She continued watching until the car pulled away into the evening traffic.

A single thought echoed through her mind.

“Whoever you are… enjoy it while you can.”