When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397 The Sky About to Change

Waylon sucked in another rough breath.

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He stared out toward the distant sky, then clapped Flynn heavily on the shoulder. His voice was low and grave, each word deliberate. “Flynn, if my suspicions are right, then the sky over Ocean City is about to change. Chaos is coming.”

Flynn’s expression grew grim.

He didn’t want to believe it, but deep down he knew his father was right.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’ll guard Ocean City. We’ll wait here until Baron brings Natalie back.”

“You have my thanks.”

Waylon patted his son’s shoulder once more before retreating into his study. Flynn knew he was reporting Rachel’s treachery to the authorities.

Natalie, meanwhile, had no idea that her disappearance had drawn so many powers out to the open sea.

She sat beside Beth, who was bleeding heavily, her face pale. “Do you want me to ask Kasen for some medicine to stop the bleeding? At this rate, you won’t last until the auction.”

Natalie wasn’t especially sympathetic toward Beth.

Everyone trapped here had their own past, their own darkness. Even if Beth was only here for her son’s sake, Natalie didn’t consider them allies.

Their earlier cooperation had been nothing but necessity.

She still didn’t know what fate awaited her.

And she wouldn’t pin her hopes on Beth. Even if Beth had managed to send that text message, Natalie doubted rescue would come.

Still, she didn’t want Beth to die right in front of her.

Sam’s death had already shaken her too much—she couldn’t watch another person’s life slip away before her eyes.

At that moment, Natalie missed Baron more than ever.

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Chapter 397 The Sky About to Change

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Beth’s lips had lost nearly all color. She could feel her strength draining with every drop of blood.

She wanted to live, but begging Kasen for medicine would be walking into the wolf’s jaws. She couldn’t endure more torment, and she would never give herself to him.

Secing Natalie’s worried gaze–even if it was only partly genuine–moved her.

She shook her head. “No. I won’t die.”

“There’s no way to stop the bleeding?” Natalie pressed, unable to watch her suffer.

Beth lowered her voice. “There is. Burn some tobacco, use the ashes to cover the wound. It’ll staunch it.”

It was an old remedy.

Natalie didn’t hesitate. She pulled cigarettes and a lighter from Beth’s pocket, fumbling to strike a flame.

Beth watched her trembling hands, the determination behind the awkward motions making her nose sting with unexpected emotion.

It had been so long since anyone had shown her even this much care.

Even if Natalie’s concern wasn’t pure sympathy–even if it was partly fear of being left alone- Beth’s heart was still touched.

After living in darkness for so long, numb to what life should feel like, even this small flicker of warmth was almost too much to bear.

Natalie didn’t notice.

She only cared about keeping Beth alive.

As long as Beth survived, there was still a buffer of safety, still time for Baron to arrive.

Her hands shook as she finally lit the cigarette. She tried to mimic how others smoked, took a deep drag–and immediately choked, coughing hard, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Her beauty, already striking, only deepened with the tear–streaked, fragile look on her face.

Beth chuckled softly, taking the cigarette back.

“If you can’t smoke, don’t. It’s no good for you.”

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Chapter 397 The Sky About to Change

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She drew deeply herself, smoke curling around her pale face, veiling her expression. To Natalic, it felt inexplicably sorrowful.

Kasen, terrified of another mishap, had locked the place down. No one was allowed near before the auction.

That left only Beth and Natalie in the room.

Natalie, unwilling to waste the silence, finally asked, “Beth, I can tell you’re not an ordinary woman. Why did you end up

here?”

Beth froze at the question.

“Why?” she echoed softly, her thoughts drifting.

Maybe it was because Natalie posed no threat. Maybe it was because she had been alone too long. But suddenly, she felt the urge to speak.

“For a man.”

Her lips twisted into a bitter smile, a laugh laced with mockery.

Natalie never expected that answer.