But deep down, she knew things were getting out of control. Previously, Charis was secretly elated when she saw that Natalie was still bothering Brandon. She knew that Natalie’s insistence would only drive Brandon further away. The more Natalie tried to communicate with Brandon, the more evident his dislike for her became.
Everything was going smoothly until Natalie proposed divorce to Brandon. When Charis heard her saying this, she was ecstatic. She couldn’t believe that she was listening and hadn’t even done anything to separate them yet, but Natalie took the initiative to leave Brandon! But when Charis regained her senses, she immediately realized that what Natalie wanted was not so simple. Natalie didn’t really want a divorce; she just wanted to threaten Brandon with that!
During Natalie’s negotiation with Brandon, Charis secretly stood outside the door and heard everything clearly. Natalie threatened Brandon with the power of the White family and the potential alimony in case of divorce. As if that were not enough, she asked him to fulfill his husband duties. This move caught Charis off guard. It was reasonable for Natalie to ask him to do his duty as her spouse since they were legally married. As an outsider, Charis had no reason to interfere.
Seeing that Brandon was going to live with Natalie again, Charis became anxious, but she didn’t know how to stop it. If things continued like this, all that she had worked for would be in vain. At that time, Brandon married Natalie, lived with her, and gradually fell in love with her. Of course, the same thing could happen once again.
After talking to Brandon on the phone, Charis became even more unsettled. Brandon had always put the company first. He had only stayed with Natalie one night, and yet he had already begun to change! No matter how much she racked her brains, Charis couldn’t think of a good way to create a gap between Brandon and Natalie. They had learned from their previous mistakes that if they interfered too much, Brandon would see right through their intentions. Now that things had gotten to this point, she couldn’t do anything but remind herself to be patient and not act hastily.
After living with Brandon for a few days, Natalie discovered that he seemed to have forgotten the way they used to be. But she decided not to think too much about it. Whether Brandon intentionally hid something or there was an inside story, she was willing to continue this act with him until the matter was cleared up.
After spending more time with him, Natalie figured out the rules for getting along with this new Brandon. She realized that this Brandon didn’t like it when she got too close to him. Just keeping a certain distance might hold his interest.
Until now, Natalie was on leave from W Marks, so she asked if she could work remotely. Her boss agreed, and she immediately received a bunch of homework. Since she was too busy, upset Brandon, the design task was urgent. Because Natalie had an accident and was out for weeks, her work had been delayed. To go back to normal, she had to lock herself in her room every day, burying herself in work until late hours at night.
When Brandon got home from work, he didn’t see Natalie in the living room, but he didn’t think too much about it. He just carried his briefcase into the study to continue working. However, when he went through the bedroom, he heard a noise inside. He opened the door a crack and peered inside. He saw through the crack that Natalie was working. He couldn’t help but stop and look at her for a moment before gently closing the door.
For the next few days, although they lived under the same roof, Brandon didn’t see much of Natalie. Immediately after breakfast, he went to the bedroom to work until bedtime. Brandon gradually discovered that the real Natalie was nothing like what Charis had said. She was not a clingy woman in love. Natalie was ambitious and dedicated to her work.
After returning to his study, Brandon turned on his computer and searched for Natalie White on the internet. He had secretly investigated her background and saw that Natalie’s talents and abilities were outstanding. She had also worked at the Larson Group and later at W Marks Studio as Draco’s Design Assistant Wesley. Natalie threw herself into her work for days on end.
Brandon slowly got used to coming home every night. He soon relaxed even when he slept in the same bed as Natalie.
One day, Brandon impulsively bought two strawberry croissants when he saw them on display through the window of the dessert shop.
On the way home, he wondered how Natalie would feel seeing such beautiful desserts. Nevertheless, when Brandon got home, Natalie was nowhere to be found. She wasn’t in the bedroom, living room, or anywhere in the house. He waited for her until late at night, but she did not return.
The next morning, she still wasn’t in the house. For some reason, Brandon felt a little bad. He seemed to have gotten used to the quiet company of this woman. Without her, I felt as if I had lost something very important.
Brandon pulled out his phone and immediately called Natalie. On the other hand, Natalie was quite surprised that he took the initiative to call her. “Where are you?” he blurted out as soon as she responded. However, he soon realized how harsh that sounded. He cleared his throat and added in a much softer tone, “Because you’re not at home?”
Natalie was having breakfast at the time. She quietly took a sip of her milk before replying, “I was about to tell you. I returned to Barnes.”
“What are you doing at Barnes?” Brandon asked, obviously unhappy. Natalie laughed, “I work here, so it shouldn’t surprise you. I have been working remotely in recent days, but it’s far from convenient. If I stay in Seacisco, my career will eventually suffer.”
Brandon opened his mouth to express his complaint but found he didn’t know the right words to say. After hesitating for a couple of seconds, he decided not to say anything. Still, a menacing frown appeared on his face, and his fingers clenched around his phone. “Good,” he whispered before hanging up and brooding by the window.
From that day on, Brandon dedicated most of his time to work. He told himself repeatedly that it was good that Natalie had gone. He could finally focus on his business, just as it should have always been. Still, each time he came home at night and found no one to welcome him, a wave of loneliness washed over him. He often went to bed feeling empty and upset.
It was a cold and rainy day in Seacisco. Fall was coming to an end. The electric fireplace crackled in the living room, obscuring half of Brandon’s face as he sat down at the dining table. He felt as if he was slowly drowning in the desolation that filled his heart, just like the storm that raged outside. He looked at the flower resting on the mantelpiece, the fireplace, the lace tablecloth that covered the table, and the photos hanging on the wall. These were tiny, inconspicuous details that were easy to ignore, but they especially caught Brandon’s attention. Natalie had only lived here for several days, but she had left traces of her everywhere. Now that she was gone, he slept alone and ate alone.
Brandon discovered that he was no longer accustomed to loneliness. He heaved a sad sigh. Even the breakfast served before him was bland and unappetizing. Fed up with the strange emotions and indescribable things that tormented him, Brandon decided to return to the hotel near the company. He only returned to the villa once a week, and every time, he looked forward to seeing Natalie cooking at home, waiting for him. She greeted him with her bright smile and then instructed him to wash his hands before telling him that dinner was ready. It was nothing special, really, but his expectations never came true. To say that he was disappointed would be an understatement, but he hoped to rekindle things the following week.
Deep down, Brandon knew he had changed. He could barely concentrate on work. He missed Natalie terribly, although he still wasn’t fully aware of how much it affected every other aspect of his life. He had even begun to pay attention to the goings-on in the fashion industry. Despite this, he never had contact with her again.
One day, Garrett called him to inform him that something was wrong with the project he was in charge of at one of their branches in Barnes. Garrett suggested that Brandon handle it himself. “I heard from Garrett that it’s not a big deal. The project manager simply asked for a leave of absence in the middle of operations. I think sending an experienced project manager to take over should be enough to solve the problem. Moreover, Garrett’s already at Barnes. You don’t have to go there yourself. It’s also quite a long and tedious journey. It would be a hassle to go back and forth between Seacisco and Barnes. Just let them handle it.”
Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…
Charis was determined to stop him, or so she supposed. She remained calm throughout the conversation, but she made sure to make each point at her disposal. “Our projects in Seacisco have been going very well, so there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, I haven’t been to our branch in Barnes in a long time, so this would be a good opportunity to inspect your work.” It was clear that Brandon had already made a decision. He told himself that it wasn’t like he had a personal agenda; he was only going to Barnes for work. That was it. He certainly couldn’t go there just to see Natalie.
The private plane of the Larson Group landed in Barnes in the late afternoon. As soon as he got off the plane, Brandon headed straight for his villa.
To his dismay, he arrived to find that Natalie wasn’t there either. He immediately called Sean.
“My wife does not reside in our villa in Barnes?” Sean was speechless for a moment. “Mr. Larson, I’m afraid I have no idea. Perhaps Mrs. Larson lives with her parents.”
Brandon hung up without another word and called Natalie. It sounded like she was about to sleep. “What’s happening?” she asked with a loud yawn. “Where are you staying?”
“With my parents, of course,” Natalie replied. Brandon snorted in dissatisfaction. “Didn’t you say that we are a couple and that we should live together? You must come to the villa and stay with me.”
After the call ended, Natalie had to press her face against the pillow so as not to laugh too much. She realized that Brandon had developed a knack for blowing hot air when she had to say something embarrassing.
A while later, Johanna saw her daughter descend the stairs with a big smile and then looked at the suitcase in her hand. “You have packed since the first day. Are you finally leaving now?” Johanna asked.