The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 93

Natalie finally let out a long breath. At least she had an opening. The trip hadn't been a total waste.

Leaving the building, she texted Tilda, asking her to hold on for just three more days.

Tilda didn't reply.

Natalie went to the hospital next. Police officers were stationed at the door, barring her from seeing her grandmother.

All she could do was hand over the soup Nancy had prepared, asking the officers to pass it along.

Despite the agonizing uncertainty surrounding Yvonne, Natalie shoved her own emotions aside and headed straight to the research institute. She buried herself entirely in her work, speaking even less than usual. Only when her brain physically forced a break did the anxiety over her grandmother's fate creep back in.

During lunch at the cafeteria, Marvin took the seat next to hers. "I heard about your grandmother. I talked to Hassan, but he's standing firm on this one. Did she really try to hurt you?"

Natalie put her silverware down and looked him dead in the eye. "You can stay out of this, Marvin, but do not question my grandmother. She would never hurt me."

He hesitated, then looked down. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

Losing her appetite completely, Natalie picked up her tray and walked away.

She stayed busy in the lab until evening, made her usual trip to drop off food at the hospital, and finally headed to the dance studio for rehearsal.

Quinn was undeniably good to her. He had secured a private studio so she could practice without any interruptions.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Natalie's eyes were deeply quiet. She moved purely on muscle memory—swaying, leaping, pushing her body until sweat beaded on her skin and soaked through her clothes.

She danced until she was utterly exhausted, collapsing and curling up on the hardwood floor.

For a fleeting moment, she wished she'd never have to wake up again.

"Natalie."

A voice broke the silence from the doorway. She forced her heavy eyelids open.

Quinn walked in, holding a fresh, warm pastry. "Here. Passed a bakery on the way and they had a special going. I couldn't finish mine. You've been burning a ton of energy; you need the calories."

When she came out, he tossed his phone onto the mattress. "Explain."

Natalie glanced down. It was the photo of Quinn bringing her the pastry at the studio.

She frowned. "If you're suspicious, investigate it yourself. I'm not wasting my breath on pointless explanations."

Then, she let out a cold laugh. "Besides, why should I explain anything? Hassan, what about your explanations? You get to play around with other women, but I'm not allowed to look at another man?"

"Natalie, I have ten thousand ways to make any man you touch wish he were dead. You better keep your legs shut and make sure no one ever finds a single trace of infidelity on your end," he said flatly.

She knew he meant every word.

Men like him were all the same. They felt perfectly entitled to mess around, yet demanded their wives remain perfectly pure.

Her lips curled into a mock smile. "Well, let me tell you right now, then. Go ahead and kill every man around me. Oh, make sure you include your grandfather and your dad in that count. I know plenty of guys. Just wipe them all out."