The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 5

Nathalie let out a laugh, cold and sharp. “Don’t worry, I’m not overthinking anything.”

“Anyway, we’re getting a divorce. Let’s just go to the registry office.”

“I mean, even if you told me Jasper was your kid, I wouldn’t care,” she added, her voice flat.

Lance’s face went stone cold. He looked like he was about to say something but stopped himself. “We’ll talk about this after you cool down.” He turned and walked out, slamming the door so hard the sound echoed through the whole room.

Once he was gone, Nathalie glanced at the framed photo on the wall. Without hesitating, she took it down and hurled it to the floor. The glass shattered, splitting the picture of her and Lance right down the middle.

Right then, her phone buzzed. It was her mom.

“Nathalie, did you forget what today is?”

She checked the calendar on her phone, and then it hit her. Today was her dad’s birthday. She forced a smile. “Of course I remember. It’s Dad’s birthday. I’ve had his gift ready for days. I was just about to head home.”

Camilla’s voice was warm on the other end. “I knew you wouldn’t forget. Drive safe, okay? We’re all waiting for you.”

“Yeah, I will.” Nathalie hung up and dragged herself to the bathroom. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her in the mirror. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face tired and drawn. This was not how the Blair family’s heiress should look.

She took her time cleaning up and putting on her makeup, even adding a bit of lipstick for good measure. It took her nearly two hours to feel presentable enough to face the world. Just as she was about to walk out, her phone rang again.

It was Camilla.

“Dad, Mom, Jasper, look over here! Let me take a picture,” Felice called out cheerfully.

All of them looked up and spotted Nathalie standing at the entryway.

“Nathalie… What are you doing here?” Camilla looked stunned, her toy slipping from her hand and landing on the floor.

Camilla hurried over, concern and panic on her face. “Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well?”

Nathalie took in the scene, her face composed, but her smile sharp and mocking. “If I hadn’t come, how was I supposed to know the whole family was having such a wonderful celebration without me?”