The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 36

Cecily lowered her eyes, her voice turning cold and heavy. "So, have you changed? Do you not love Hassan anymore?"

Natalie's fingers instinctively curled into fists. She wanted nothing more than to scream, *Yes, I don't love him anymore.*

But she couldn't say that yet. Forcing a smile, she replied, "You know exactly how much I love him. I've revolved my whole life around him since we were kids."

Hassan looked up at her, pausing for a long moment before looking back down to methodically continue his breakfast.

"Something isn't right." Cecily's eyes swept over Natalie's completely unmarked neck.

In the past, whenever they stayed at the main house, Natalie would invariably come down the next morning with faint, telltale marks on her skin.

Cecily knew for an absolute fact that nothing had happened between them last night.

Whenever Cecily was around to back her up, Natalie would always be overwhelmingly affectionate with Hassan.

And with Cecily watching, Hassan would never reject her.

The fact that nothing happened last night could only mean Natalie hadn't wanted it to.

Cecily didn't say another word. She stood up, marched straight into their master bedroom, and headed directly for the walk-in closet.

Natalie's heart dropped, but it was too late. There was absolutely no excuse she could invent to explain why a married couple's home had no women's clothing in it.

Cecily's voice was sharp. "You and Hassan are separated?"

Natalie kept her head down, remaining completely silent.

"When did this happen?" Cecily demanded fiercely.

Deciding to minimize the damage, Natalie answered softly, "When I saw Gardenia's child at the main house."

Cecily let out a heavy sigh. "I knew you were still hurting over that. Why has your personality shifted so much? You used to at least tell me when you were upset. Now you're just bottling it all up?"

Natalie played along with the narrative. "Well, I had to grow up eventually."

Cecily frowned. "You don't need to worry about Gardenia. I would never let her entangle herself with Hassan. Besides, she's a divorced woman with a child—Hassan would never actually fall for her. At most, he feels a little sorry for her. Everything he's doing right now is purely for the benefit of the Carlson family's business."

Once she was out the door, she let out a shaky breath, her heart racing.

The Carlson family was actually looking for her.

Thank god the internet hadn't been as advanced twelve years ago; she hadn't left any digital footprints. And even if they somehow traced it to Professor Adler, he would never reveal that she was H. He would protect her.

After leaving Sycamore Quays, Natalie's phone rang.

It was Cora Vance.

She found it a bit odd, as she and Cora weren't particularly close.

Cora was Mia Sheridan's mother. Natalie was only really close to little Mia.

When she answered, it was Mia's voice on the line. "Natalie! Can you do me a huge favor? My mom was supposed to come with me to a school event, but she sprained her ankle! I don't want the old butler to go with me. Will you come with me? Please?"

Natalie remained silent for a moment.