The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 571

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Sophia watched Nathalie’s expression with extreme anxiety. The heavy silence terrified her. Nathalie closed her eyes for a brief moment, then pulled Sophia into the adjacent room. "You should have asked me about this first," she said evenly.

"I..." Sophia twisted her hands together, panic etched across her face. "I saw Grandma try to call several times but never get through. I figured she just needed an excuse, so I took matters into my own hands. I'm so sorry... Nathalie, I really didn't know their relationship was like this. I know I messed up. I'll never do it again. Please... please don't fire me."

Sophia was on the verge of tears, looking at her with sheer desperation.

Nathalie felt a complicated knot of emotions. She studied Sophia for a long moment before replying, "Don't make this mistake again."

"I swear, I absolutely won't." Sophia nodded furiously, looking as if she had just dodged a bullet.

"Go back to your duties," Nathalie said, turning toward Adelaide's room.

Sophia nodded and scurried off.

Standing outside the door, Nathalie could hear the muffled sounds of sobbing. It was Camilla. Her voice was thick with guilt and remorse.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you would end up like this. I wasn't thinking straight. I really didn't mean for this to happen. Mom, I know I was wrong..."

Nathalie lowered her gaze, a mocking smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

She pushed the door open and walked right in.

The crying abruptly stopped. Camilla turned to look at her. Her face was pale and gaunt, her sickly appearance making her look incredibly frail. She was slumped beside the bed, burying her face against her mother's side, looking like a pitiful wreck.

"Nathalie," she choked out, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Nathalie didn't even look at her. Instead, she walked over to the bed and asked softly, "Grandma, are you tired?"

Adelaide sat on the edge of the bed. Her hair was stark white, and the lines on her face seemed deeper than before. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she hadn't said a word.