Chapter 4 A Sigh Escaping Her Heart

• The warm orange glow spread softly across the room, casting a gentle light on the black-lacquered lattice window, which now seemed to reveal the subtle traces of time's passage.
• Crack!
• The sound of a branch snapping in the rain-soaked night stirred a faint sense of alarm.
• "Reason."
• Sebastian sat on the couch, legs crossed, his deep gaze fixed on Natalie's face.
• He wasn't angry, surprised, or astonished. To him, it appeared as if this were an insignificant matter, incapable of stirring any real emotion in his heart.
• Natalie looked at the man before her. For three years, she had never seen this face betray any hint of loss of control. It was as if, no matter what occurred, he could always handle it with this calm, composed demeanor, completely detached from his emotions.
• Just as he approached his business affairs.
• He was an exceptionally competent businessman and a near-perfect husband.
• At this moment, a soft smile spread across her face, her eyes gentle.
• "Marriage requires love. You married me, not because you loved me, but because of your grandma's wishes. I married you, not out of love either, but because you were the perfect candidate for marriage. However, I oversimplified things. A marriage built solely on suitability and the mandates of our parents cannot survive. We have no love, no children, and this marriage has lasted three years, which is already its limit. I believe we're no longer suited to continue this. Divorce is the best choice for both of us." Natalie spoke these words evenly, looking into Sebastian's penetrating eyes.
• Three years had been enough for her to understand him. A single glance, a single gesture, and she could tell what he meant.
• He needed a reason for divorce, not to convince him to stay, but merely for the answer to the conclusion of an affair.
• Nothing more. And every word she said was true, except for one. The claim that she didn't love him was a lie.
• Sebastian remained silent. He looked at Natalie, for the first time in three years, truly studying her face.
• Almond-shaped face, crescent eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a high-bridged nose, and lips faintly pink. The woman before him had a face that wasn't striking or ostentatious, like an orchid blooming in silence, indifferent to everything.
• Even now, as she spoke about divorce, an undeniably painful subject, her expression remained faintly smiling.
• No mockery, no resentment, just quiet acceptance of the outcome they had reached.
• "Are you certain?"
• "Yes."
• "Alright, I have a business trip to Lasvegelle tomorrow morning. We'll handle the divorce when I return."
• "Okay."
• The rain seemed to intensify, the gentle sounds of it endlessly persistent, rustling through the leaves and branches on the mountain.
• It should have been noisy, but instead, it was overwhelmingly quiet.
• Perhaps the late hour had let the spring rain run wild, serenading the night.
• Natalie lay in bed, listening to the rain, a sigh escaping her heart.
• Three years... It's time for it to end.
• …
• Early in the morning, after everyone had finished breakfast, those who needed to work went about their business, while those with free time stayed at Levine Manor to keep Alice company.
• Sebastian had an early flight for his business trip, departing at eight. Natalie woke up early to prepare breakfast for him.
• By the time everyone came downstairs, Sebastian had already boarded the plane, headed for Lasvegelle.
• It was Saturday, and not many people were busy. Natalie, being a kindergarten teacher, had the day off, but she needed to head back and start packing.
• After Helen's words the night before, she had spent much time reflecting and had sorted everything out in her mind.
• Now that Sebastian had agreed to the divorce, she also needed to resign from her job.
• She planned to leave Greenville and return to her hometown of Pennserale.
• Natalie wasn't originally from Greenville. She was from Pennserale.
• "Aunt Nat, are you leaving?"
• Seeing Natalie come down the stairs with her bag, Cara ran over, her footsteps quick and her face full of surprise.
• Natalie bent down and gently stroked her little head. "Yes, I have some things to take care of, so I won't be able to play with you."
• "Aww..." Cara's expression fell instantly, the disappointment clear on her face. She had been hoping to spend time playing with Natalie.
• Evelyn, a college professor, didn't have work today, so she was also staying at Levine Manor with Alice.
• Seeing this, she walked over. "Aunt Nat has her own matters to handle. You can't keep clinging to her."
• Natalie smiled and said, "Next time, I'll take you out to play."
• "Really?"
• "Really."
• "Pinky promise!"
• Cara held out her pinky finger, and Natalie obliged, hooking her pinky with Cara's. "Pinky promise, no breaking it for a hundred years, or you're a little puppy!"
• "Hehe."
• Natalie then went to bid farewell to the elders. By that time, only Joseph and Vanessa had left after breakfast due to other commitments, while the rest were still around.
• "Grandma, take care of your health. I'll visit when I have time."
• "Hehe, don't worry about me. You're busy, no need to make a special trip. I'm in great health."
• "Alright."
• "Natalie, are you leaving?"