When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 322

322 Old Flames and New Resolve

“I didn’t come here to drink tea,” Natalie said coolly.

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“I know,” Jensen replied, “but we were together for over five years, and I never once brewed tear for you. Just this once–give me the chance. If you do, no matter what you ask of me afterward, I’ll agree.”

His words only deepened Natalie’s disgust.

“So this is a bargain now?”

Jensen’s hand paused mid–motion.

“How could it be a bargain? Natalie, must we really speak to each other like this?”

Natalie didn’t bother answering.

She turned her head, gazing out at the busy traffic outside the window.

Her heart worried for Baron. She didn’t know how he was doing, whether anyone was giving him trouble.

Jensen noticed her drifting thoughts and felt an ache of disappointment, though he kept it to himself.

With a smile he asked, “Do you want red tea or black tea?”

“Either one is fine.”

Natalie knew him too well.

This man always made it look like he was asking for her opinion, but in truth he had already decided. If she said red, he’d insist black was better for women. If she said black, he’d counter that red was healthier.

Her choice never mattered–only his.

Thinking back to countless such moments, Natalie almost laughed at herself.

A man this controlling never allowed disobedience. In those five years with him, she had lived in constant compromise.

She endured it because of his past act of saving her, convincing herself she could tolerate

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14:39 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 322 Old Flames and New Resolve

anything.

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If it hadn’t been for his cheating, for his lies, maybe her entire life would have been mapped out that way–plain, suffocating, resigned.

Thank God she had broken free. Thank God she had met Baron.

Baron was strong too, but never with her.

With her, he was like a loyal golden retriever, constantly seeking her affection.

The thought of him warmed her whole body.

He was her sun, chasing away the darkness in her heart.

Jensen had been about to complain about her indifference, but then he caught sight of the faint smile curving her lips.

It had been so long–so long–since he’d seen her smile gently like that.

A pang shot through his chest.

Though they had spent years together, their true moments as a couple were few.

Natalie had never liked going out, and he had allowed it, partly because she was once an unwanted orphan, while he was president of Luke Corp. Bringing her along had always meant scrutiny and whispers:

He had loved her, yes, but as his status in the company rose, so did his sensitivity to appearances.

So when Natalie never asked to go out, he never invited. Eventually, that villa in Grand Pavilion became her entire world.

At first, he would bring her little gifts to cheer her up. But slowly, even that effort vanished. To him, Grand Pavilion became no more than a resting place.

He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d seen her smile like this. Two years ago? Three? Longer?

Now, watching her glow with a confidence and beauty he’d never seen before, his heart pounded wildly.

This Natalie was dazzling.

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14:39 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 322 Old Flames and New Resolve

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Her face, once soft and gentle, now carried sharper lines, radiant and impossible to ignore..

Jensen’s hand clenched tightly around the teacup, hardly daring to breathe for fear of shattering the fragile moment.

His eyes burned.

She should have been his–his girlfriend, his future wife, his lifelong partner. And yet, through his own carelessness, he had lost her.

Now she stood before him, brighter and stronger than ever. With the Stone family at her back, she was the perfect wife fate had meant for him.

Natalie felt the scorching weight of his gaze. Her brows drew together. She turned sharply, and her eyes collided with his reddened ones.

They shimmered with joy and wonder.

But in her heart, there was no longer the slightest ripple.

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