Chapter 32
Diana had been standing out in the rain for a long while. Her face was pale, her lips darkened with a bluish tint. She didn’t look like she was faking it.
“Do you want me to call an ambulance?” I asked, holding the umbrella and trying to shield Quinn from the rain. He didn’t respond, just scooped Diana up in his arms and hurried inside.
Feeling a little useless, I closed the umbrella and followed him in By the time I reached the master bedroom, Quinn had already put Diana on the bed and was calling the family doctor.
It made sense. He was thinking ahead. If Diana had been taken to the hospital by ambulance from outside Quinn’s villa, the press would have a field day tomorrow.
The doctor arrived quickly. Diana was already fragile, and after being soaked for so long, she now had a high fever.
“She’ll be fine once the fever breaks, the doctor said, looking at Quinn with concern. “Mr. Madden, Miss Terell is in good hands here. You’ve been out in the rain too, so go change into something dry”
Quinn frowned, still watching Diana with a worried expression, clearly uneasy.
Seeing how much he cared, something in my chest twisted. I was just an extra in this scene, and I didn’t want to stick around and make things worse. I grabbed my nightgown and decided to take a shower and go to bed.
As I was heading to the guest room, Quinn suddenly grabbed my wrist and coldly asked, “Didn’t you say she couldn’t stay here?”
I was taken aback. What was going on with him lately? “Quinn, you’ve forgotten, haven’t you? We’re divorced. I’m just taking your money and playing my part. It’s your house. You can have whoever you want here. It’s not my business.” I pulled my wrist free and yawned. I’m tired. I leave you to it”
“Make hot coffee!” he snapped, his eyes dark with irritation, Diana was cold and needed something warm, but with no maids around, I had become his personal errand runner.
I nodded, not because I wanted to but because I knew Quinn well enough. If I said no, he’d find a way to make me regret it. I just told myself, “Take the money, do the job.”
While brewing the coffee, I transferred the 3 million dollars Quilin had given me to my father, then sent him a message to remind him to keep an eye on Skylar and make sure she didn’t use any more trouble.
Just as I sent t
the message, my phone rang. It was my dad. I hesitated for a moment but answered. “Dad?”
He spoke softly, “Natalia, how have you been? Your mom and I miss you. My birthday’s next month–will you come home to
visit?
Hearing his voice, I felt my throat tighten. So many memories rushed back–both happy and sad. “I’ve been busy with work. I’m not sure if I can make it that day I gave a half–hearted excuse and ended the call quickly.
My life now was just me and Benedict. I didn’t want anything more to do with the Hinton family.
After making the hot coffee, I brought it upstairs. Diana hadn’t woken up yet, and Quinn still had a stormy look on his face.
I set the coffee down and asked flatly. “Want to help her sit up? I feed her
“Put it down. Get out. His eyes were as cold as ice, and his voice was sharp.
I stepped out of the room, taking a deep breath. It felt like something sharp was poking at my heart. It wasn’t painful, but it left a hollow feeling. Maybe, to really let go of someone I had layed so deeply, I needed to go through this painful process.
22:39 Thu, Dec 12
Chapter 32
The next morning. I woke up to the smell of food.
D
Quinn was wearing an apron, making chicken broth for Diana in the kitchen. Diana was leaning against him, still looking pale, but there was a flicker of happiness in her eyes.
When she saw me coming down the stairs, she called out, “Natalia, my clothes got wet last night. Can I borrow something of yours?”
Before I could answer, Quinn, without even looking up, said, “There are still some new clothes Finn brought last time, right?”
“Yeah, they’re in the master bedroom’s closet. You can pick what you like,” I said, barely paying attention.
“I’m afraid I’ll pick the wrong one. Could you come with me?” Dina insisted. It was just an excuse to get me alone, away from Quinn.
In the closet, her fingers grazed the clothes as she smiled. “Natalia, you’re no match for me.”
I looked at her, completely unfazed, and gave a slow clap. “Your trick worked perfectly.”
All she needed was a little rain to make Quinn forgive and forget She was a master manipulator.
I didn’t feel like engaging. After my sarcastic praise, I said, “The clothes are right there. Pick whatever you want.”
She blocked my way, standing tall and proud. “It’s because Quinn loves me. You’ve never felt Quinn’s love, have you? No maner how hard you try, he won’t love you. Isn’t that pathetic?”
Pathetic? I was numb to it. Loving Quinn had always been an unfair game. His love for me had always been a far–off dream. But I couldn’t deny that Diana’s words cut deep.
After a moment, I looked at her coldly, curling my lips into a strile. “Love is a verb. I’ve been with him every day, and every night I’ve felt his exhausting love for me. Last night, even in the Madden family’s old mansion, he wouldn’t let me rest.”
“Natalia, you shameless- Every time I mentioned Quinn and me, Diana would lose her temper. She raised her hand to slap me, but I grabbed her wrist.
II
She was weak, sickly–no match for me. I spoke coldly, “If you’re so capable, get Quinn to marry you. Stop trying to make my life miserable”
Just as I finished speaking, she started crying.
A chill swept over me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know Quinn was there. “Natalia, let go!” He shouted, grabbing my arm and pushing me away from Diana.
I stumbled and slammed into the doorframe.
Diana was crying, her face all tears, looking up at Quinn with a sad, helpless expression. “Quinn, Natalia’s clothes don’t fit me. Can you take me back to my apartment to change?”
One simple sentence completely twisted the situation.
Quinn’s face darkened, his eyes boring into me. His brow furrowed in anger. He snapped, “Get out.”
I just laughed bitterly. It was too ridiculous to even explain. Quinn wouldn’t believe me anyway.
I watched as he held Diana close, comforting her, and with a heavy heart, I slowly walked away, leaving the room without saying another word.
