The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 400

Natalie tugged at Marcus with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Didn't you say you wanted my mom to hug you so you could feel the motherly love you've never had? Well, now she's right here. Don't be shy!"

Marcus immediately played along, his eyes filled with mock sorrow and vulnerability as he glanced toward Charlotte. "Mrs. Walker, is it alright?"

Charlotte was momentarily speechless.

William, observing the situation, let out a deep sigh. After a moment, he decided to speak up in support of Marcus. "Since Marcus has never experienced that kind of motherly love, Charlotte, just give him a hug. Think of it as doing a good deed."

Charlotte could only sigh again.

Taking the opportunity, Marcus meekly spoke up once more, "Mrs. Walker, may I?"

"Fine! Just come here and give me a hug."

Charlotte opened her arms, giving Marcus a gentle hug. As she did so, she patted his back.

"Are your parents still not back?" she asked softly.

Marcus' voice was muffled as he replied, "Yes, I've stopped hoping after all these years."

"It's alright. You've grown up healthy and strong." Charlotte gave Marcus' shoulder a light pat before he slowly stepped back from her embrace.

"Mr. Walker, can I have a hug too?" Marcus asked, his eyes showing a mix of longing and admiration. "When I was a child, I envied Mason and Lincoln because they had parents who cared for them."

"I remember when I came to the Walker family, I would watch you pick up Mason and spin him around, even let him ride on your shoulders. I was always so envious of that."

At his words, William was taken back to the days when his children were young, especially Mason, his youngest son, whom he had always spoiled a little more than the others.

Marcus, on the other hand, had always been a serious, stoic child, walking around with a solemn face, never smiling, never showing interest in anything.

He had never realized that Marcus, even as a child, had envied his sons for their closeness with their father.

Without saying another word, William stepped forward and pulled Marcus into a tight embrace, patting his back a couple of times. "You're all grown up now. You've become a fine, young man."

Marcus' voice caught in his throat. "Thank you, Mr. Walker."

"Don't cry!" Hearing Marcus' choked voice, William couldn't help but feel a little sad. "Sweetie, take Marcus for a walk. Help him calm down a bit."

"Okay, Dad." Natalie stepped forward and took Marcus' hand. "Let's go to the back garden for a walk."

"Go ahead."

With his eyes red and his voice shaky, Marcus bowed deeply to both William and Charlotte. "Thank you, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walker. I'm really happy today. I finally know what it feels like to be in a parent's embrace."

William and Charlotte exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with sympathy and concern.

After all, Marcus had grown up in front of them. And Charlotte and Marcus' mother, Laura, had been close friends. It was only natural that they had arranged for their children to be betrothed even before they were born.

But after Laura gave birth, she hadn't even finished her postpartum recovery before going away with Wesley on a trip. They had left their newborn child to be raised by Charles. Over the years, Laura rarely contacted them, and when she did, she never revealed where she was.

"Nat, take Marcus out for a walk and comfort him."

Thinking about how her old friend had treated Marcus, Charlotte was about to say a few choice words, but she couldn't bring herself to do so in front of Marcus.

"Yes, Mom," Natalie replied. "Let's go, Marcus. We'll have a walk around the garden."