When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 601

**Chapter 601: The King of Ocean City**

Rumors had begun to swirl like the tides of the ocean surrounding Hayes’s final moments. It was said that just before his execution, he had sought an audience with Baron, a desperate plea for connection that fell on deaf ears. Baron, currently miles away on foreign soil, had flatly refused the call, his heart hardened by years of estrangement.

From the fateful day Hayes had cast him out of the Gunn family, Baron had severed all ties, no longer recognizing the man who had once been his father. The whispers suggested that, in the end, it was a distant relative from the collateral branch of the Gunn family who claimed Hayes’s remains, a stark reminder of the fractured legacy that lingered like a shadow over their lives.

Natalie, ever the nurturing soul, sensed the weight of Baron’s mood and had taken it upon herself to shower him with affection. Recently, her doting nature had intensified, as if she could somehow shield him from the emotional fallout of the past. Baron found himself basking in the warmth of her love, yet he could feel the creeping lethargy settling in, a growing disinterest in the demands of work that once fueled his ambition.

Upon their return to Ocean City, Natalie felt a strange sense of dislocation, as if the familiar streets had shifted in her absence. Yet, her heart soared at the news of Moses’s remarkable recovery. Holt, too, was on the mend, his spirits lifted by the return of Sean and Susie. In a burst of creativity, he had taken to drawing, pouring his joy onto the page for everyone to see.

Natalie’s heart swelled with pride as she watched Holt’s artistic endeavors flourish, a testament to his resilience. The family was abuzz with excitement as they prepared for the much-anticipated recognition dinner, and the news of Natalie’s arrival had reached Jensen, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within him.

As he gazed at Natalie’s radiant smile on the screen, a pang of longing struck Jensen deep in his chest. That smile, once exclusively his, now belonged to Baron. The sight of Baron, exuding an air of ownership as if he possessed the very essence of the world by simply having Natalie at his side, filled Jensen with an unsettling sense of discomfort.

Driven by a mix of desperation and nostalgia, Jensen managed to track down Natalie’s current phone number, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed.

Meanwhile, Natalie had succumbed to a much-needed slumber, fatigue wrapping around her like a comforting blanket after their long journey. When the phone rang, Baron, ever protective, quickly stepped out onto the balcony to take the call, careful not to disturb her rest. He tucked a cigarette behind his ear, an old habit that lingered despite his promise to quit for Natalie’s sake. The familiar scent still held a strange allure for him, and he found himself inhaling the faint aroma, lost in thought.

The moment he recognized Jensen’s name on the screen, a cold snort escaped his lips.

“Hello?” Baron answered, his tone laced with disdain.

“Natalie, is that you? You’re back? Can we meet? Please, I just need to see you!” Jensen’s voice crackled through the line, filled with a desperation that felt almost palpable.

Baron couldn’t help but chuckle darkly. “My wife is pregnant, and you still haven’t moved on?” His words dripped with provocation, a calculated jab aimed at Jensen’s heart.

“What did you just say? Baron, you dared to get her pregnant?” Jensen’s voice rose, disbelief mingling with anger.

“We are legally married, Jensen. We have a marriage license. It’s only natural for us to start a family. Or do you still think you have a chance? Let me save you some time: you and my wife have no future together in this lifetime.” With that, Baron ended the call, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Almost. I’ve been in touch with the seller,” Loretta replied quickly, her heart racing at the implications of his request.

As Jensen’s expression shifted to one of deep contemplation, Loretta felt a wave of unease wash over her. “You need to stay calm. We’ll find a way,” she reassured him, hoping to quell the storm.

After a brief moment, she decided to gather supplies to help ease his troubled mind. But as she turned to leave, Jensen’s resolve hardened. He swiftly changed his clothes, slipping out of their residence unnoticed, his determination propelling him toward Baron’s villa.

Inside, Natalie had awakened from her nap, feeling rejuvenated. The aroma of dinner wafted through the air, a reminder of the warmth and love that filled their home. Ruby was in high spirits, and Waylon had decided to indulge in a few drinks that evening. Flynn was still at the office but was expected back soon.

Yvonne and Alden had called to say they wouldn’t be joining them that night, busy with the construction of the old family home, but promised to be there for the family recognition dinner in two days.

Outside, Susie watched Holt intently as he gazed longingly at the vibrant roses in the garden. Her little legs carried her swiftly out of the living room, a determined look on her face as she made her way toward the blossoms, eager to pluck one for herself.

In that moment, the world outside continued to spin, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within their family, a tempest that could alter the course of their lives forever.