Bye-bye Trash! Hello Queen! novel Chapter 1205

Natalie looked at his affectionate gesture and the eager anticipation in his eyes. She hesitated for a split second before leaning in and taking the chocolate.

The rich, creamy flavor melted instantly on her tongue. It was delicious. She remembered how much she loved sweets as a child, right up until the cavities set in. It wasn't until she was writhing in bed from toothaches that she finally kicked the habit.

Her grandfather used to hold her in his warm embrace, soothing her tears. "Oh, my sweet girl, no more sugar for us. Those bad little sugar bugs are hurting your teeth. Don't cry, don't cry. Grandpa will take you to the dentist tomorrow, and once you get your medicine, the pain will all go away."

But the toothaches had been agonizing, tearing at her little heart. She had been raised entirely by her grandfather.

He had been so incredibly gentle and loving. Every time she tasted something sweet, it brought back a flood of his warmth.

In this life, she swore she would never repeat the mistakes of her past, never break his heart, and never let him die in sorrow right after her.

Natalie smiled, masking the brief flash of grief in her eyes, and her voice was light and sweet. "It's delicious!"

Marshall beamed. "Glad you like it. I've got to run, Natalie. See you tonight. Don't work too hard."

Natalie waved at him, her eyes curving into crescents. "Bye."

Marshall walked away with a bright smile, pausing at the door to steal one last glance at her.

Watching everything unfold through the surveillance feed, Sebastian's eyes darkened menacingly. First Caleb, and now Marshall. He couldn't seem to get rid of the men swarming around her.

Seeing her laugh so freely with Marshall, he wondered bitterly if it was just because they were closer in age.

He and Natalie had never shared a conversation that easy, that joyful.

Jealousy clawed at Sebastian's chest, but a moment later, a self-deprecating smirk touched his lips. What right did he have to be angry? He was the one who had brutally pushed her away.

She had tried so desperately to connect with him in the past, and he had met her warmth with ice, suffocating her fiery devotion with sheer indifference.

Now, no matter what he did to win her back, it felt entirely pointless.

He remained silent, the ache in his chest deepening. When Natalie used to smile at him with that brilliant, radiant warmth, he had taken it for granted. Now that he finally understood what he had lost, it was too late.

In her eyes, he was completely worthless.

She knew perfectly well he wasn't dead, yet she hadn't shown a shred of concern. She simply didn't care anymore.

Back when he was crippled, when the entire world had turned its back on him, Natalie was the only one who revolved her life around his, offering him endless care and devotion.

The memories were agonizingly vivid. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her sitting beside him, her ethereal voice washing over him as she read the financial news.

Every clear, soothing syllable had anchored him in the dark, acting as a lullaby that eased his tortured soul.

But now...

Pushing the bitter regret aside, Sebastian asked impatiently, "What's the status on Syndicate M?"