The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 6

Camilla reached out and grabbed her hand. "Nathalie, it’s not what you think. Felice just got back today too. We really weren’t planning anything."

Nathalie tilted her head, her eyes turning red as she blinked back the tears. "Oh, so she can come back, but I can’t?"

She looked at her parents, her voice trembling. "Mom, Dad, Felice is your real daughter, isn't she? I'm just the one you picked up."

"Nathalie!" Daniel’s voice was sharp. "We didn't invite you because we know you don't like Felice. Now that you’re here, try to behave. It's my birthday. Don't ruin it for me."

Nathalie glanced at each of them, catching their eyes one by one. Caution. Distrust. Fear. Did they really think she’d explode at any second?

She moved forward at a measured pace, set the gift box down on the coffee table, and said, "Happy birthday, Dad."

Daniel relaxed a little, a faint smile touching his lips. "Good, that’s more like it. Since you’re back, have a seat."

But Nathalie didn’t sit down. Her eyes went straight to Felice instead.

"Congratulations, you win," Nathalie said, her voice cool. "You don’t have to fight anymore. My husband’s all yours. We’re getting divorced."

She paused for a second, looking at her parents again. "And as for Mom and Dad, if you want them so badly, you can have them too."

Felice’s face went pale. "Nathalie, I didn’t—"

"Nathalie!" Daniel broke in, his voice growing louder. "Don’t talk like that. There’s a child here!"

Nathalie’s eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill, but she blinked them back hard. She couldn’t mess up her makeup, not now.

"A child?" She looked straight at Jasper, who was already huddled in Felice’s arms. "Jasper, wasn’t Lance with you last night?"

She turned and walked away, her face set and unyielding.

Felice ran after her with Jasper in her arms and sank to her knees, sobbing. "It’s all my fault. Please, Nathalie, don’t be angry. I won’t come back anymore. I won’t call Lance. It’s all my fault."

Tears rolled down Felice’s cheeks. She looked so broken it almost seemed like she was the one being wronged, not Nathalie. Felice held onto Nathalie’s leg and pleaded, "Please, Nathalie, don’t be angry."

A sharp, sudden pain stung Nathalie’s leg, and she kicked out instinctively.

Felice cried out and fell to the floor, hugging the trembling child.

That was the exact scene Lance walked in on.