Chapter 82 No Turning Back
Natalie’s POV
“Don’t!” I roared.
I felt disgusted. How could he ask me who the father was and then try to hug me? What the hell?
“Stop!” I repeated as he kept walking towards me.
He hesitated for a second, then without further hesitation, he hugged me. I stood frozen in place. I couldn’t describe my feelings, but one thing I knew was that I didn’t feel anything. There was no heat, no trembling, no butterflies, and no longing.
I was truly released from him. From his control over me.
My hand flew through the air, landing on his cheek with a loud slap.
“I told you to stop!” I mumbled furiously.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant back then?” he asked after regaining his composure and putting his hands into his pockets. I could see the tension in his actions.
But did he deserve my pity? My concern? Of course not.
I was in so much pain when I lost one of the babies. I hoped he would search for me, for our other child. I was sure Rafael would search for us. But he never did.
I became depressed in the first month after moving to France. I even thought about aborting the baby. But Maya and Lucas were with me; they never left my side. But I hated relying on others for all my life. I decided to stand up for myself and for my other child.
I started my journey in the fashion design industry, fueled by the will to succeed and self-actualization. I worked day and night. And here I was, putting my first step on my way.
I survived those seven months, and I’d survive the rest.
“Would a sadistic person like you want to have a baby and family? The answer is no. And I don’t trust a sick man like you to raise kids,” I answered, meaning every word to wound him, to see him in pain, to insult him.
And yes, I did. I saw the pain in his eyes. He didn’t say anything; he just closed in on himself as he used to.
I smirked, turned to leave without feeling any pity for him or a pang of conscience, and said, “I’m done here. I have to go back to my guests.”
I knew he had more to say, more to ask about, and more to discuss. But I had to leave the room as soon as I could; I couldn’t let my heart soften.
When I turned the door handle, he mumbled, “I’m seeing a therapist. I’m undergoing treatment for sadism. I wanted to be the husband you deserve. You were my only reason to seek treatment and try to improve!”
I raised my head high, preventing my tears from falling. I said, “You died to me, Rafael. The moment our child died because of your fiancee, your love died in my heart.”RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
When I opened the door, I found Daniel and Lucas waiting for me. One tear, just one tear ran down my cheek, and I swore to myself it would be the last tear I shed for him.
I smiled and asked, “What are you doing here? Why did you leave the party?”
“Come with me,” said Lucas as Daniel entered the room where Rafael was still in.
Lucas held my hand and instead of going back to the party, he headed to the mansion garden, where the fresh air made me feel less stressed.
We sat on the green ground silently, just staring at the stars in the black sky.
After a long pause of silence, he asked me, “The man loves you, I can tell.”
I sniffed and rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything.
He cleared his throat and added, “Why didn’t you give him another chance? As I heard from Daniel, he rescued you from prison!”
I let out a deep sigh and said, “I can’t go back to square one after all I did, Lucas. It’s not about me only.” I touched my belly tenderly and smiled bitterly as I continued, “The decision includes a life growing inside me, and I’m responsible for it.”
He put his palm on my belly and asked with concern, “Oh yes, how’s the pain you felt before?”
“I’m fine, I’m not going to give birth yet,” I mocked him.
“Don’t you think your decision is a little selfish? At least he has the right to know he was the father,” he argued, trying to convince me.
“I didn’t tell him it wasn’t his, he jumped to conclusions. Then let it be,” I said nonchalantly.
Lucas was about to say something, but he stopped.
“I still think you should sit with him and try to find a solution,” he insisted, and that annoyed me.
I was trying to survive the traces of the toxic relationship we had, and I wasn’t going to let anyone defend him.
I shouted, “I loved him, Lucas. I loved my husband with all of my heart.” One tear betrayed me and landed on my cheek as I said, “Even though he was dark, vicious, and sadistic, I loved him.”
I hit my chest with my fist, “This stupid heart loved him more than life.”
“I was just a little dirty secret in his life,” I continued with sobs.
Then I stared into his eyes, “Do you know how we got married? We married because of money and benefits, because of a stupid will and no one ever knew about that marriage.”
Lucas didn’t comment; he just grabbed me into his embrace and patted my head with a whisper of, “Shush.”
I whispered with closed eyes, “I made my decision. I’ll never go back to him. I’ll never let him treat me as his submissive again. Or even let him harm my child. NEVER!”
Lucas kissed the top of my head and mumbled, “I’m with you whatever decision you make, I promise.”
His words touched me even though I was going through with my decision with or without anyone.
(Where are you? Some guests are asking for you.) A text message chimed in from Carla, Daniel’s and Lucas’s mother.
I wiped the traces of the tears, smiled, and said, “Let’s go back to the party. Your mum is looking for us.”
He chuckled, “She must find you a new groom.”
I rolled my eyes. Since I came to France, Carla had been trying to find me a husband.
Once we entered the party, Carla said happily, “Here’s our beautiful girl.”
A lot of heads turned towards me. I wasn’t someone who got shy easily, but the theatrical way she said that made me feel awkward.
As I walked to her, my eyes met Rafael’s. What was he still doing here? I thought he must have left.