The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Natalie pulled Olivia up to the fifth floor and into her massive bedroom.

Even though she had not been home much lately, Charlotte had made sure the space was cleaned daily and kept fresh with a new bouquet of flowers every morning. She even had them rotate the types to brighten Natalie's mood whenever she returned.noveldrama

"Alright, Olivia. Spill it. When did you start dating Mason?" Natalie asked as she dragged Olivia onto the bed.

She grabbed the remote, closed the blackout curtains, and randomly put on a movie in the background. "We haven't had a good catch-up in forever. Tonight, we're making up for it."

"But before we dive into me and Mason, what's going on with you and Marcus?" Olivia asked as she leaned back against the headboard with a mischievous smirk.

"I still can't believe you two ended up together. That jerk was awful to you in the beginning—and let's not forget he literally called off the engagement. So, has he proposed again or not?"

Natalie tapped her forehead. "I didn't even think about that. There's been way too much going on, one thing after another, and none of it has been the kind of stuff that makes you feel good."

She continued, "And honestly, it's kinda my fault. I got drunk and started getting handsy with Marcus. You know that face of his—it's hard to resist touching. And let's be real, his body isn't too bad either. But no, I haven't slept with him yet."

She grabbed a bar of chocolate, unwrapped it, and broke off a piece for Olivia. "Here, try this. It's a really good brand."

Olivia grinned. "I know. Your brothers literally bought them and gifted them to you."

"I wish I had a brother like that," she added with a sigh. "But hey, I still managed to land Mason. Even if I'm a little older than him. Actually, I'm older than you too."

Olivia let out a breathy laugh. "Honestly, I had a little crush on Lincoln at first-but not in a romantic way, I swear. You know how he is; a top-tier celebrity, crazy talented, ridiculously good-looking. I'm a model, but I've always admired people who are driven and accomplished.

"So naturally, I was drawn to Lincoln, but more in a 'fangirl respects the icon' kind of way. As for how Mason and I started... Do you remember your welcome party- the big family one?"

Natalie nodded. "Yeah, I remember." Her eyes widened as she gasped in disbelief. "Did you guys start even back then? Olivia! Do I even know you? You sneaky little thing! So you've been hiding this from me the whole damn time?"

Olivia giggled and reached over to cover Natalie's mouth. "Calm down! A lady shouldn't speak like that! I mean, it all started because I got a little handsy too... I touched Mason's abs."

Natalie peeled Olivia's hand off her mouth and gave her a knowing look. "And that's when you discovered... athletes hit different, huh?"

Olivia covered her face with both hands. "Yeah. That's exactly when. I couldn't help it."

Natalie paused, blinking. She thought that line sounded way too familiar. Curious, she asked, "So... where are you and Mason at now?"

Olivia's cheeks flushed a deep red. "Probably about where you and Marcus are. Mason and I have been sneaking around, and honestly, it's been kind of thrilling."

"Huh?" Natalie leaned in. "How thrilling are we talking?"

"Natalie, come on. We've been best friends since we were little, but are you sure you wanna get into my dating details? I mean, my boyfriend is literally your own brother!"

Natalie lifted a brow. "Oh, then I guess I'll just cut him out of my life starting tomorrow. Stranger danger and all."

Olivia was rendered speechless. She thought, "Forget it. Natalie is ruthless, way more ruthless than anyone else. After knowing her for so many years, I really should've seen it coming."

Meanwhile, Natalie kept going. "And Olivia, you're the one who said it was something thrilling. You got me all curious, then turn around and say it's private? Seriously, you think that's how normal people talk?"

Olivia paused. "It was my fault. Not only did I fail to control my hands, but I also ran my mouth too."

Natalie laughed so hard that her eyes crinkled up. She reached out and hugged Olivia, resting her head on Olivia's shoulder.

She said, "Olivia, I've been so exhausted lately. Lying here with you, just talking like this... it feels like something from another life. Grandpa Charles passed away, and Laura's finally healthy again.

"Grace and Kenton are both dead. Selena and her family turned their lives around. Now, she's working long shifts at the hospital, trying to make up for everything. But still, something just doesn't feel right."

"Nat, maybe you're overthinking it," Olivia assured gently as she massaged Natalie's temples. "Everything's over now-those messy, chaotic things. You can finally relax and take a proper break."

"Something isn't right," Natalie

insisted, straightening up. "Kenton kept crucial evidence and willingly cooperated, which helped take down Yvette's entire criminal network.

Normally as a key informant he

be

wouldn't have gotten the death

penalty-but he did. That doesn't sit

right with me."

"Nat, I really think you're worrying too much," Olivia countered calmly. She did not

see anything wrong about Kenton being sentenced to death.

She added, "Sure, Kenton cooperated, but he also committed horrible, unforgivable crimes. If he hadn't faced justice, how could all the people he hurt, all those children he trafficked, ever find peace?"

Natalie thought about Olivia's words and had to admit she had a point.

Olivia said, "Stop stressing yourself out. He's already gone, and bad people deserve their fate. The only unfair thing is Grace getting an easy death, just slipping away in a hospital bed."

"I heard Grace died with her eyes wide open," Natalie mumbled quietly, her voice complicated with emotions.

Grace had once been someone she thought genuinely cared about her, someone she considered her savior-only to discover that they were nothing but lies and schemes.

"She wanted to see her real daughter one last time before dying," Natalie explained. "But Victor hired an actress who bluntly revealed the truth. Grace's daughter, Megan, had been dead for years-killed by Yvette herself."

She added, "Grace spent her entire life manipulated by Yvette because of her daughter, only to learn just before dying that Yvette had already taken Megan from her long ago."

Olivia went quiet, recalling the kindness Grace had shown Natalie in their childhood.

"I'm so tired, Olivia," Natalie murmured, leaning on her again. "Did you know Marcus has been really off since Grandpa Charles died?

"He's holding everything in, like

Hove

some cold, emotionless robot, channeling all his rage into taking down Yvette. He provided massive support to the authorities and helped dismantle her entire organization. The look in Marcus's eye after the execution im Amberton—I can't even begin to describe it."

Natalie paused thoughtfully. "It was like looking at a demon."

Olivia abruptly sat up. "Nat, don't scare me like that! If Marcus really is a demon,

you'd better get out while you still can. Forget dating-your safety comes first."

Natalie chuckled, amused. "I was

just describing it dramatically. I'm actually worried he's bottling things up too much, such that he'll hurt himself emotionally. But now that Laura's back in Ditoria State and

though Grandpa Charles is gone, Marcus has his mom again. I'm sure he'll stay grounded."

"But what if he actually becomes some kind of monster?" Olivia persisted nervously. "Maybe you should slip him some mild sedatives regularly, just in case he snaps. Then, at least you'd have the upper hand."

"Are you serious?" Natalie laughed, lightly knocking Olivia's head. "Marcus would never lay a finger on me. After dating him for so long, I know him."

"You think you know someone, but you never really know what's in their hearts," Olivia insisted stubbornly.

"Alright, stop before you make me want to grab a knife and chase Marcus down myself," Natalie joked, lying back and pulling the covers up.

She said, "Honestly, Olivia, it's weird how fate and feelings work. At first, Marcus

and I couldn't stand each other, and I had no idea why he had it out for me. I didn't even want anything to do with him. Who would've thought we'd end up together after all that?"