When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 537

**Chapter 537 The Free Spirit**

As Baron’s words hung in the air, a spark of excitement ignited within Natalie. She felt a thrill coursing through her veins, a sensation she had long forgotten.

“Let’s not forget, we still need to pay a visit to that old friend of ours,” she suggested, a hint of nostalgia coloring her voice. “Next time, we should definitely bring the kids along.”

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A flicker of guilt washed over Natalie as she reflected on the past five years. She hadn’t truly embraced her role as a mother, and that realization weighed heavily on her. The thought of her children missing out on the vibrant, authentic experiences life had to offer gnawed at her conscience.

Baron, sensing her internal struggle, remained silent. He simply parked the car, took her hand in his, and guided her toward the lively night market that beckoned just ahead.

As they stepped into the market, Natalie was enveloped by a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and scents. The atmosphere was electric, alive with the chatter of vendors and the laughter of families. Everywhere she looked, there was a sense of thriving prosperity, a stark contrast to the sterile confines of her past.

Baron, with a glint of mischief in his eyes, procured some delectable snacks from a nearby stall and handed them to Natalie with enthusiasm.

“Here, try this! They say the grilled squid here is exceptional. Back in the day, before I became the Godfather abroad, I used to sneak out with Shauna and the others to indulge in grilled squid whenever I had a little extra cash. But in Murica, it costs a fortune. More often than not, we had to forgo it,” he reminisced, a smile playing on his lips as he took a bite.

As Baron spoke, lost in his memories, Natalie couldn’t help but admire the joy radiating from him. His carefree enjoyment of the moment was infectious, and soon enough, her own stomach betrayed her with a growl of hunger.

“Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to eat like this?” she hesitated, her voice laced with a playful protest.

Without missing a beat, Baron playfully shoved a squid skewer into her mouth. Natalie’s words faltered as the explosion of flavors danced on her taste buds.

“Mmm! This is amazing!” she exclaimed, the initial reservations melting away as she savored the deliciousness.

Caught up in the moment, she forgot all about the curious gazes of passersby, allowing herself to indulge just as Baron did. His eyes sparkled with delight, reflecting nothing but her own joy.

Before long, they devoured the skewers, and Natalie leaned back, feeling pleasantly full.

Turning to Baron, a spark of spontaneity ignited within her. “Baron, if I were to suggest a spur-of-the-moment trip right now, would you think I was being reckless? Too impulsive?”

“Why would you even think that?” he replied, his eyes widening with surprise. “You absolutely have both the time and the means for an impromptu getaway.”

Baron studied her intently, catching a glimpse of something profound in her eyes—a flicker of a soul yearning to break free from its restraints.

Is Natalie unhappy? The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.

Natalie, feeling a bit bashful, continued, “I know I have the resources and the time, but there’s so much happening at home right now. Rachel hasn’t been apprehended, and I can’t help but wonder if the truth of my mix-up could impact the entire Stone family. What about the conspiracy surrounding my being swapped? And the women who lost their lives at the old mansion because of Logan—will they cast a shadow over the Stone family? With everything piling up, it hardly seems right for a family member to just take off on a whim.”

Baron’s heart ached at her words.

“None of this is your burden to bear. Whether it’s your past swap or the current turmoil within the Stone family, none of it was your doing. You are Natalie first and foremost. You are my wife, the mother of our children, my parents’ daughter, and a member of the Stone family. But before all that, you need to prioritize your own happiness. Don’t allow the title of being a Stone family daughter to confine you. That’s not what your parents or I want for you.”