The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 2

By the time she stepped out of the restaurant, her vision was blurred with tears.

A figure rushed out after her and grabbed her arm.

Gardenia's eyes were sharp. "Do you think I'm his mistress? Let me tell you, Hassan and I are completely innocent. I haven't spent a dime of his money."

"I'm not blind, and I'm not deaf." Natalie shook off her hand.

Suddenly, a van screeched to a halt right behind her.

"Ah—"

Her scream was muffled before it could escape. Two burly, masked men locked onto her in a split second, covering her mouth and shoving her into the vehicle.

In the blink of an eye, Natalie was gone.

Gardenia stood frozen in place. Her body swayed slightly before she took a hard fall onto the freezing pavement, scraping her elbow against the steps.

When the people inside the restaurant finally came out looking for her, they found her sprawled miserably on the ground. Two of them helped her up. Noticing the large patch of skin scraped off her elbow and her prosthetic leg detached nearby, they were instantly furious. "Did Natalie push you?! That vicious woman, there's no one in all of Kingswood City more arrogant than her!"

The other friend was equally incensed. "Where did she go?! Pushed you and ran off? She has to apologize! This is crossing the line!"

Gardenia's lips trembled. "She... she..."

"Did she threaten you? Don't be scared, you have us! We're definitely on your side."

"She..." Gardenia blinked, holding back tears, and shook her head. "It's fine, let's go back inside. I still have to work."

"Gardenia, you're just too kind! She treats you like this and you do nothing. No wonder she can't win Hassan's heart—her soul is so toxic."

They supported her back inside, loudly complaining about the incident to Hassan.

She pressed her lips together, forcing a soft smile as she walked over to the other side of the child. "Adrian, is it good? Hurry and thank him."

The little boy, who had been focused on his meal, looked up. His eyes darted slightly before he spoke in a soft voice, "Thank you, Dad."

Hassan paused mid-motion with his silverware. A cool gaze swept over, hiding something deep beneath his calm exterior. His voice was low. "Eat a little more."

A friend nearby couldn't help but laugh. "Hassan, now this looks like a real family! Natalie has dragged you down for four years. Finalize the divorce tomorrow as soon as City Hall opens. Don't drag it out."

...

The next morning, outside City Hall.

Inside the car, Zeke, Hassan’s assistant, sat in the passenger seat. The phone rang and disconnected, over and over. Frustrated, he glanced into the back. "I still can't reach Mrs. Carlson's phone."

Gardenia glanced at Hassan. Seeing his silence, she reached over to gently pat the boy's head sitting between them, offering carefully, "She might still be sleeping."