When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 521

521 The Secret

The moment Jensen uttered those words, Rachel’s face shifted instantly, her expression tightening with a mixture of surprise and something deeper, more conflicted.

“So that’s what you want to ask about?” she challenged, her voice edged with disbelief.

“Yes,” Jensen replied firmly, refusing to back down.

Rachel’s eyes narrowed as a surge of emotion flashed across her features. “What’s so special about that Natalie? Why are you so obsessed with her? There are countless women in the world—you could choose anyone you want, but Natalie? Absolutely not.”

Her words carried an undercurrent of frustration and something almost desperate. Jensen, however, merely smirked, leaning back against the headboard with an air of cold detachment.

“And what exactly is your position here? Who gave you the right to meddle in my business?” he retorted sharply.

“I am your…” Rachel began, but the words caught in her throat as she met the icy glare in Jensen’s eyes. The intensity of his stare silenced her.

“Jensen,” she pressed on, voice softening slightly but firm, “you were with Natalie for five years. She treated you so well. Yet, you left her for Sharon without a second thought. Since you’ve already made your choice, why act like this now? Don’t you know Natalie has moved on? She has someone else by her side.”

“Baron?” Jensen scoffed, the name dripping with disdain. “He’s nothing more than a useless son-in-law who married into the family. Natalie’s with him out of gratitude, not love. If I want her back, she’ll come to me anytime.”

Rachel stared at him, caught off guard by the fierce obsession burning in his eyes. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

“If you really want Natalie, I can help you,” she said carefully, her tone serious. “But first, you have to get me out of Ocean City. If I’m safe, I’ll tell you the truth—about Natalie being switched at birth over twenty years ago. And there’s something else, something connected to you.”

Her face was grave, the weight of her confession hanging heavily in the air.

Jensen’s eyes darkened even further. “You dare threaten me?”

Rachel met his gaze, seeing something painfully familiar reflected there—eyes so like those of a man she had longed for, a man who had vanished from her life more than twenty years ago without a trace. Had he truly forgotten her? Did he even know she had borne him such an extraordinary son?

Her eyes drifted, distant and haunted. Jensen noticed immediately, uncomfortable with the way she seemed to be staring past him, as if seeing someone else entirely.

“Rachel, are you still staring? Believe me, I’ll gouge your eyes out if you keep it up.”

His low threat snapped her back to the present. Jensen’s profile, at this moment, bore an uncanny resemblance to that long-lost man. Perhaps that was why her heart ached so deeply.

Unable to hold back any longer, Rachel whispered, “Simon…”