When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Five Years Down The Drain

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“And this one–this was from my birthday. You had a gift custom–made for me. But back then, the company was strapped for cash; we needed capital for partnerships, and without even consulting you, I went ahead and pushed it into production.”

Jensen flipped through page after page, able to recall a memory they once shared with each

one.

Natalie pressed her hand firmly down on the album.

“Mr. Jensen, that’s not why I came here.”

Her expression was cold; her tone even more distant. Something in Jensen’s chest tightened, suffocating him.

“Natalie, can we not talk like this? You used to call me Jensen so often.”

At the mention of that name, Natalie couldn’t help but think of Sharon.

Sharon always called him Jensen.

Before, she hadn’t known–now she did. And even if the two had never broken up, she could never bring herself to use that name again.

“Jensen, just tell me. Why did you really call me here today?”

She truly had no patience for his stalling.

Seeing her like this, Jensen hurried to explain. “Natalie, I just wanted to see you. After all these years, could you at least unblock my number? I promise I won’t bother you. We were together for five years–five years! I don’t believe you could forget me so quickly.”

When she saw the pleading in his eyes, the careful, almost timid way he looked at her, Natalie suddenly thought of her old self. Was that how I made Jensen feel back then too?

At the time, she never wanted to be a burden; she never wanted him to see her as useless. So she always swallowed her grievances, always forced herself to be self–reliant. And what had it led to?

Sharon had waved a forged cancer diagnosis, and he had gone straight to marry her. Her five years ended up looking like nothing but a cruel joke.

Now it seemed their roles had reversed–but Natalie felt no satisfaction in it at all.

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Chapter 281 Five Years Down The Drain

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“Jensen, some things–once they’re over, they’re over. Just because I don’t come after you doesn’t mean I don’t hate you. When I wanted a clean break, you sided with Sharon and tried to destroy me. I came back this time without going after Luke Corp, without going after you; that’s the only respect I’m willing to show for what we had.”

She stepped back, putting distance between them.

Jensen couldn’t accept it.

He took a step forward, instinctively reaching for her hand–but Chris blocked him again.

“Mr. Jensen, show some respect.”

“Get out of my way!”

Frustration flared as Jensen was stopped over and over. He shoved Chris aside. Chris‘ first instinct was to strike back, but he glanced at Natalie instead.

She waved him off, and Chris retreated.

Jensen mistook that gesture as lingering affection. He rushed to say, smiling, “Natalie, I knew it, you still care about me. Whatever you want, I’ll do it this time. You don’t know how wrong I was. I used to think we were too plain, that my feelings weren’t that deep. But when I watched you burn in that fire, I realized how much I loved you.”

“Natalie, please… give me another chance. I’ll devote myself to you completely. Believe me- just give me one more chance, will you?”

His voice dropped lower, and then suddenly, Jensen sank down in front of her.

Hansel, Rigel, even Chris–all of them froze.

“Mr. Jensen?” Hansel could hardly believe what he was seeing.

Never once had he seen Jensen bow to anyone. Even back when the company was desperate, a potential partner had mocked him, saying they’d only sign with Luke Corp if Jensen would humble himself on the spot. Jensen had walked away without hesitation, choosing to find another path rather than compromise his pride.

And yet here he was now–on his knees before Natalie.

Hansel’s shock was beyond words.

Chris said nothing, but instinctively looked at Natalie.

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Chapter 281 Five Years Down The Drain

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Rigel was even more stunned. This was the same Mr. Jensen who once threatened wives and children without blinking–yet in front of Ms. Stone, he was reduced to this?

But the one most shaken was Natalic. I know Jensen’s pride better than anyone. And now, what is he doing?

If this had been a few months ago–if Jensen had knelt before her then–she would have been deeply moved, even happy. After all, he was the man she had once loved with all her heart.

But in this moment, all she felt was the suffocating weight of being cornered.

“Jensen, what are you doing?”

She instinctively stepped back a few paces, moving out of his direct line of sight.

“Natalie, in my whole life, aside from my parents and ancestors, I’ve never bowed to anyone. Today, take it as me begging you. Please, give me a chance to pursue you again.”

He edged closer on his knees as he spoke.

Impatience filled Natalie’s eyes.

“Jensen, you’re still the president of a company. What do you think this looks like if your employees see you like this? And more than that–I truly hate this kind of behavior from you.”