Chapter 3 We Should Get a Divorce
- Helen had left some time ago. Natalie sat there, lost in thought for a long while before finally rising and leaving the study.
- Everyone in the household followed a consistent routine, and by ten o'clock, most had retired to their bedrooms to wash up and rest. Cara, wanting to sleep with Natalie, was coaxed by Evelyn Patton for quite some time before being persuaded to leave.
- "Goodnight, Aunt Nat!" Cara waved at Natalie, her small face still brimming with liveliness.
- Natalie waved back with a soft smile. "Good night."
- After putting Cara to bed, Evelyn finally washed up herself. Just as she finished, Joseph returned home. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she voiced her thoughts. "Natalie and Seb have been married for three years now, right? Natalie seems to really love children. Why haven't they shown any signs of having a baby?"
- Joseph removed his coat, and Evelyn took it from him, hanging it on the rack. "Although we married early, we didn't have Cara right away. We waited two years before deciding to have her. But they've been married for three years now without any news. Tonight, I even saw Aunt Helen pull Natalie aside, likely to talk about babies."
- Evelyn wasn't typically one to gossip or speculate. The reason she brought it up was because she noticed how much Natalie adored Cara, yet she still hadn't had children of her own, which sparked her curiosity.
- Joseph knew Evelyn well. After listening to her, he thought for a moment before replying, "It's probably Seb. His career has been expanding so rapidly over the past few years, his mind must be entirely focused on work."
- Evelyn sighed. "Seb is excellent in every way, but he's just too busy."
- It was rare for her to concern herself with other people's matters, especially when her words carried a hint of complaint about Sebastian. Joseph chuckled. "What's this? Are you standing up for Natalie now?"
- Evelyn caught the teasing tone in his voice and shot him a playful glare as she took the watch he had just removed from his wrist. "Getting along with in-laws is an art too. Natalie has a gentle temperament, a kind disposition, and she handles everything perfectly. The only thing she lacks is her background, but she's not any less than those heiresses from prestigious families."
- As she spoke, something seemed to cross her mind. She leaned closer to Joseph and lowered her voice. "Let me tell you something."
- Sensing the seriousness in her tone, Joseph's expression grew more focused. "What is it?"
- "A little while ago, I went to my mom's, and she mentioned that Aunt Helen has been getting close to someone in the Zeller family recently."
- "The Zeller family? Kyana Zeller?"
- Joseph frowned. Kyana had been Sebastian's classmate, practically his childhood sweetheart. If Alice hadn't intervened, Sebastian would have likely married her.
- However, after Sebastian got married, Kyana left and hadn't returned for three years.
- "She's back?"
- Evelyn nodded, her expression slightly grave. "From what my mom said, it seems like Aunt Helen wants Kyana to marry Seb."
- "She's not married yet?"
- At his instinctive question, Evelyn immediately rolled her eyes. "If Kyana were getting married, don't you think we would've heard about it?"
- Joseph realized his mistake. "You're right."
- "You're always at the hospital, buried in your patients' medical records, completely ignoring everything else going on."
- Recognizing this as her subtle way of complaining that he wasn't spending enough time with her, Joseph quickly wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be mad. I'll try to make more time for us."
- "Hmph! I don't need your company. Go away!"
- …
- Natalie returned to the bedroom, but Sebastian hadn't come back yet. Alice had called him away, likely to discuss matters concerning the business.
- Though Alice was advanced in age, her mind remained sharp, and she had always stayed informed about the business affairs. Every time Sebastian came home, Alice would have a private conversation with him.
- Alice held Sebastian in high regard and had great expectations for him.
- After washing up, Natalie took Sebastian's fresh clothes to the bathroom, tidied the countertop, and meticulously arranged everything in order. Only after finishing these tasks did she lie down in bed, pulling the covers over herself.
- Late into the night, the Levine Manor, located in the outskirts, lay far from the bustling city, nestled quietly among the green hills and clear waters. Even on this rainy night, it remained undisturbed, exuding a calm and imposing tranquility.
- "Tomorrow morning."
- Click.
- The bedroom door opened, and a tall figure entered from outside, bringing a faint chill with him. The soft, orange light of the room enveloped him, slightly tempering the powerful aura he carried.
- Sebastian, still on the phone, closed the door behind him.
- "Yes. Let's arrange it like that for now."
- Natalie wasn't asleep. She was wide awake, clearly hearing the door open and close, the sound of Sebastian's steady footsteps as he entered, and the deepened timbre of his voice, which seemed even more resonant on this rainy night.
- His voice was captivating. It was steady, powerful, and restrained. Like his appearance, it could easily mesmerize anyone.
- Natalie remained silent, unmoving. She lay on her side, facing the floor-to-ceiling window.
- Her eyes were closed, as if she were already asleep.
- Sebastian ended the call after a few brief words, placed his phone on the coffee table, and headed into the bathroom.
- The sound of running water echoed out, mingling with the light rain outside, making it seem as though this night would never truly quiet down.
- When Sebastian finished washing up, he walked to the other side of the bed, lifted the covers, and lay down.
- He always slept with perfect posture, just like his demeanor, meticulous in every detail.
- His body lay flat, the covers pulled neatly over him, and the bedroom lights automatically dimmed.
- Darkness engulfed the room.
- Sebastian closed his eyes.
- "We should get a divorce."