When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 585

**TITLE: HereSelf 585**
**Chapter 585 A Cold Shoulder**

Jonas’s fingers tightened around his phone, a silent storm brewing within him, yet he chose to remain mute, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a heavy fog.

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Baron, observing Jonas’s detached demeanor, decided that further conversation would be futile. With a dismissive shake of his head, he turned and walked away, leaving Jonas to wallow in his own turmoil.

Once Baron was gone, Jonas bit down on his lower lip, the metallic taste of blood mingling with the sting of his emotions. He felt numb, as if the world around him had faded into a blur. His gaze drifted to the sky, a vast expanse of gray that mirrored the chaos within him. The complexity of his feelings was a riddle, and he found himself lost in contemplation.

Meanwhile, Baron made his way to the bustling market, intent on purchasing crab roe buns. He recalled how much Natalie adored them, her face lighting up with joy at the mere thought of the savory treat.

Upon entering the studio, Baron’s eyes immediately fell upon Yulia, and his expression darkened, shadows flickering across his features.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice low and edged with irritation.

Yulia had been just a child—barely eight—when Baron had left the Gunn family behind. Though they were not bound by blood through their mother, she had always treated him with kindness. In moments when the head of the Gunn family unleashed his wrath upon Baron and his mother, it was Yulia who had, in her innocent way, sought to alleviate their suffering, offering small gestures of support.

Baron’s feelings for Yulia were a tangled mess. She was a living reminder of his father’s infidelity, yet she clung to him as if he were her lifeline. No matter how harshly he spoke or how coldly he turned away, Yulia remained steadfast, like a shadow that refused to dissipate.

He recalled the day they were expelled from the Gunn household; it was Yulia who had clandestinely given him her savings, pleading with him to keep the lines of communication open. Regret washed over him as he remembered how he had turned down her offer.

Even after more than a decade apart, the recognition between them was instantaneous. But the Yulia standing before him now was no longer the innocent child he once knew. The years had sculpted her into a vibrant woman, her demeanor imbued with a striking blend of boldness and defiance.

Yulia hadn’t anticipated Baron’s arrival to be so swift. Despite her quest to find him in Ocean City, standing before him now—a brother who had once been shorter than her, now towering above—her emotions surged uncontrollably, causing tears to brim in her eyes.

“Baron…” she breathed, her voice trembling.

Baron’s brow knitted together, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. “I can’t stand that tone from you.”

“Baron—” Yulia’s voice cracked, and the dam broke. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

In her youth, she had struggled to comprehend Baron’s coldness. Now, clarity dawned upon her; she understood the pain her mother had inflicted upon him and his family, forcing them into a life of hardship. They shared blood, but the bond of brotherhood felt impossibly distant. Yet, Baron’s words cut deeper than she expected, igniting a familiar ache in her heart.

“Just ignore her,” Baron said flatly. “You need to take care of yourself first. I heard you intervened to save her? Don’t you realize the Gunn family’s bodyguards are skilled? They wouldn’t have harmed Yulia anyway. Why would you do something so unnecessary?”

Yulia’s heart sank further as she listened to Baron chastise Natalie. Each word felt like a dagger, reinforcing her sense of isolation.

“Baron! Do you even have a heart? How did I treat you when we were kids? How can you be so heartless towards me now?” she cried, desperation lacing her voice.

“I’ve always been this way, haven’t I?” Baron replied, his back still turned to her, his indifference palpable. Yet, in that moment, Natalie noticed a flicker of something different in Baron’s eyes—something that hinted at a deeper complexity beneath his hardened exterior.

When he spoke of the Gunn family, his eyes would blaze with fury and resentment. But when it came to Yulia, despite his sharp tongue, there was no real malice; rather, a hint of softness lingered, as if he were grappling with emotions he couldn’t quite articulate.

Unaware of the intricate history between them, Natalie had previously harbored disdain for Yulia simply because of her association with the Gunn family. But witnessing Baron’s softened demeanor now, she took a tentative bite of the crab roe bun, a smile creeping onto her lips. “Delicious.”

“If you find it delicious, then eat more,” Baron encouraged, his tone lightening as he reached for a tissue, gently wiping away the grease that had escaped the corner of her mouth.

In that moment, the tension in the air shifted slightly, leaving an uncertain hope hanging between them.