The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Nestled in Marcus' embrace, Natalie slept soundly.

Marcus fixed his gaze on her, as if he could never get enough of her face. After a long while, he finally closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift into sleep.

Outside the tent, Olivia and Mason continued fishing quietly. Neither of them planned to sleep. Though they had secured an exclusive booking of Sacred Peak Lake, they still felt uneasy.

At Holden Residence, Sheldon brought Laura around to help her reacquaint herself with the place. When Laura brought up the idea of living elsewhere, Sheldon hesitated before refusing.

"Mdm. Laura, if you want to live elsewhere, as a butler, it's not my place to stop you or say anything. But now that Mr. Holden Senior is gone, and Mr. Wesley isn't around, the only ones left in the house are Mr. Marcus and us helpers.

"Mdm. Laura, please think about Mr. Marcus. Could you do that? I'm asking you, please."

Sheldon's words were sincere. Laura paused and thought about it. "I'll wait until Marcus returns and discuss it with him. Is that okay?"

"Yes, that would be best."

Sheldon let out a sigh of relief. "Mdm. Laura, there's really no need for you to move out and live by yourself.

"Holden Residence is huge, but there are very few people here who can accompany Mr. Marcus. Especially now that Mr. Holden Senior is gone, he needs someone by his side the most. You're his mother. Now that you're back, you can fill that void."

"I understand, Sheldon. I won't mention leaving again." Laura couldn't bear to listen any longer. The more she listened, the more she felt like she had failed as a mother.

It was her fault. Because of her illness, she had to leave Marcus under Charles' care.

Now that Charles was gone, the bond between her and Marcus wasn't the same as a mother who had spent years together with her son.

Laura wanted to show her concern, but she feared Marcus wouldn't like it.

Marcus had always been distant and detached. He seemed to care about nothing and no one. For something to truly matter to him, it had to be something he invested great effort and time into.

"Mdm. Laura, Mr. Wesley has returned."

Laura was still speaking with Sheldon when a helper approached and reported the news.

Laura froze for a moment, but Sheldon reacted instantly. "Well, don't just stand there. Invite him in!"

"Yes, Sheldon."

After a while, Wesley appeared before Laura. Since their last meeting, he had lost quite a bit of weight, but he looked like he was in good spirits.

"Laura, I'm back," Wesley said. His eyes reddened when he saw her.

He turned toward Sheldon and added, "Sheldon, I'm sorry for not being here when Father passed away."

Sheldon turned away, struggling to hold back his tears. "It's alright. Now that you're home, that's enough. If Mr. Holden Senior knew you had returned, he would be pleased. It's been a while since this place felt this lively."

"I'm sorry. It was my fault," Wesley replied

With reddened eyes, he stepped forward and pulled Laura into his embrace. "Laura, don't move out. Don't worry, I won't be staying here either.

"I came back this time to see you. I was happy to hear that you're back in Dithoria. Now that you're healthy, that's all that matters."

"Wesley, tell me, what have you been up to lately?" Laura just let him hug her. After a long pause, she reached out and hugged him back.

Years of love and companionship weren't that easily forgotten. In reality, she couldn't bear to part with him.

But she was afraid.

The Umbrahex that Cassie had inflicted on her had caused her insufferable pain for more than 20 years. She was still terrified.

"I've been handling some matters. It's almost done now. Once it's settled, I'll come back to be with you and our son," Wesley replied. "I failed as a son. I wasn't there when Father passed away. I wonder if Marcus resents me for it."

"Mr. Marcus won't blame you." Sheldon rubbed his eyes. "Mr. Wesley, Mr. Marcus has never resented either you or Mdm. Laura."

"But I blame myself. Sheldon, I'll be staying for the night. Please prepare a guest room for me."

"Mr. Wesley, why don't you stay in your old room? All these years, it's been kept clean and unchanged," Sheldon replied.

"I know. Thank you, Sheldon, but no need." Wesley slowly let go of Laura. To Laura, that room was a painful reminder.

It was on that very bed inside the room that Cassie's people had infected Laura with the Umbrahex after she had given birth.

Laura would never step into that room again, nor would Wesley.

"Alright then," Sheldon agreed. He turned around and made the arrangements.

"By the way," he added while he turned back. "Mrs. Walker called. She told me that Ms. Natalie and Mr. Marcus have gotten their marriage certificate.

"She would like both families to get together and discuss the wedding arrangements. Mr. Wesley, since you're back, why not stay until Mr. Marcus' wedding before you leave?"

Before Wesley could answer, Sheldon walked away to arrange the guest room.

Wesley was stunned. According to his plans, he would return to visit Laura and not spend too much time at Holden Residence.

But if his son was getting married, as his father, he had to stay. He had already missed out on most of Marcus' life, so he couldn't afford to miss his wedding too.

"Laura, is it true that Marcus and Natalie have gotten their marriage certificate?" Wesley came back to his senses and gazed deeply at Laura.

Laura shook her head and replied, "I don't know. Charlotte didn't tell me."

"Maybe she still doesn't know that you're back." A faint smile appeared on Wesley's face. "Our son is getting married. That's wonderful news.

"Laura, he even got the marriage certificate. He's settling down and starting a family. You're going to be someone's mother-in-law."

Laura couldn't contain her excitement. "Yes, I am. I should prepare a gift for Nat. I have to pick something special for her."

"Yes." Weslet nodded. When he saw the smile on Laura's face, he found himself momentarily dazed.

It had been so, so long since he had last seen her smile like this. That feeling of joy that came from the bottom of her heart-he had not seen it in years.

Laura happily picked up her phone and called Charlotte. "Hello, Charlotte. I'm back in Dithoria. I'm staying at Holden Residence.

"I just heard from Sheldon that Marcus and Nat got their marriage certificate.

Coincidentally, Wesley is back too. Let's meet up! It's been a while.

"We want to discuss their wedding haven't been in touch with society for years, so I'll leave it to you to plan the wedding. Is that okay? Whatever you decide, I'll go along with it."

"We'll come over tonight!" Charlotte agreed immediately. "Nat and Marcus aren't

back yet, but I'm guessing they'll return to Holden Residence tonight.

.n

"We'll meet and discuss things first before asking for their opinions. Those two have strong personalities, so there's a chance whateverwe decide might not matter in the end.

"Besides, I have a feeling Marcus has his own ideas about the wedding."

Laura nodded. When she realized Charlotte couldn't see her, she said, "That's fine. We'll respect their decisions. But I want to prepare a gift for them.

"I don't know what Nat likes, so it'll be great if you could help me with that. Don't worry, I'll love her as if she's my own daughter."

"Of course. We'll come over later."noveldrama

Charlotte hung up and turned to William, who was reading the newspaper on the couch. "Honey, let's go to Holden Residence. Laura and Wesley are back. They want to talk about Nat and Marcus' wedding."

"Alright, let's go." William immediately put the paper down and stood up. "Let's bring everyone."

"Lincoln has been busy lately, and Hector has to be in the hospital. Timothy is away for a tournament while Mason and Olivia are with Nat. It's just going to be the two of us.

Once we've discussed with them, we'll fill our sons in."

"Okay. Let's follow your plan." William smiled brightly. He wrapped an arm around Charlotte's shoulder and walked out of the house together.

Wesley's return actually surprised him as he thought the man would continue

hiding.