The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 593

In the car.

Nathalie handed Sophia a bottle of water, gently smoothing out the younger girl's messy hair and straightened her dress. "Drink some water. Catch your breath."

Sophia nodded, twisting the cap off and taking a sip. She wiped her tears, her eyes red as she looked at her. "Nathalie, that was my brother. Leo Yates."

Hearing this, Nathalie raised an eyebrow and let out a humorless laugh. "Leo... they really treated him like the golden child, didn't they?"

Sophia nodded. "It was my grandparents. He was the only boy, so they treated him like royalty. Growing up, he got whatever he wanted. But he didn't deserve it. He never brought any glory to the Yates family."

Leo had developed a severe gambling addiction, blowing through the family's savings before racking up massive debt and fleeing. He had only come back because he was broke, finding someone willing to buy Sophia to pay off his mess.

Sophia gripped the water bottle tightly. "Nathalie, I'm resigning. I can't stay at your place anymore. I'll only drag you into my mess."

Nathalie hadn't expected her to say that, but it only proved what a kind and considerate girl Sophia was.

"If you leave, what about Grandma? She relies on you a lot right now," Nathalie asked gently.

Sophia bit her lip. "At the end of the day, I'm just an employee. You're home every day now, so you can keep her company. I really can't stay. You don't know him—he's absolute scum. He'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and I refuse to let someone like him ruin your peace."

There was another reason, too. Grandma had seen right through her secret.

If she stayed, it was only a matter of time before others noticed, and then she would never be able to look Nathalie in the eye again.

Nathalie had been so good to her, yet she had foolishly developed feelings for Nathalie's husband.

She couldn't live with that shame. Leaving now was her only option.

Sophia's eyes welled up with fresh tears. "Nathalie, you've been so incredible to me. I don't want to leave, but I can't be the reason you get hurt."

Sophia swallowed the polite rejection she was about to voice.

She took the envelope, sniffing softly. "Thank you, Grandma. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Grandma smiled warmly, gently patting her cheek. "Go on now. Look forward. You have a long life ahead of you."

There was a deeper meaning to her words, and Sophia understood it perfectly. She nodded, turned around, and walked out.

Back in her room, she packed her things and slipped away quietly without disturbing anyone else.

When Nathalie came downstairs and found the house empty of Sophia's presence, she felt a pang of helplessness. She turned to the butler. "Deposit an extra two months of salary into her account."