Chapter 80 Trust in Her

• Natalie had a punctual biological clock. Despite staying up late the night before, she woke up as usual, though faint shadows under her eyes hinted at her exhaustion.
• Hazel and Donald noticed immediately. They exchanged glances, clearly concerned but unsure how to address it. Especially Hazel, she wanted to ask but hesitated. She suspected Natalie had endured some unspoken hardship but chose to hide it to avoid worrying them. Their anxiety was palpable, yet they feared that speaking up might upset her further.
• Natalie saw their expressions and understood their worries. She calmly said, "Mom, Dad, I know you think I must have suffered in the Levine family, that Sebastian treated me poorly, and that I had a hard time. But it wasn’t like that. After I married Sebastian, we lived separately from his parents. My mother-in-law rarely visited, never made demands, and neither did Sebastian. He was busy with work and rarely home, but he never acted inappropriately or betrayed me. Even his grandmother was kind to me. She often took me to meet family friends and even apologized on Sebastian’s behalf, saying his work left little time for me. No one in the Levine family made things difficult for me or disrespected me. This divorce was my decision, and they accepted it without resentment. We parted on good terms, which I think is enough. Although we’re no longer married, our families remain connected, so we’re still friends. It’s that simple. I know what you’re worried about, but please trust me. Your daughter isn’t foolish. I won’t let anyone or anything stop me from living my life."