When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 403

Chapter 403 Diving For Love, Literally

Chapter 403 Diving For Love, Literally

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Routing the message through Renee could protect Baron’s identity as her godfather and keep him safe; but she was in danger herself, surrounded by threats on all sides.

She was all alone–terrified, yet still thinking everything through so carefully. How could he not love a woman like that?

Rio, who didn’t know Baron’s true identity, thought Natalie had avoided contacting Baron because she feared bringing disaster upon him, believing he was powerless and without influence.

He couldn’t help saying, “Ms. Stone really loves you, Mr. Baron.”

Baron froze for a moment.

“What did you say?”

“I said Ms. Stone really loves you, Mr. Baron.”

Rio repeated the words.

A warm ache spread through Baron’s chest. Does Natalie really love me that much?

When Rio noticed Baron’s eyes growing faintly red, he asked again, “What does Ms. Stone mean by this?”

“The ship’s layout,” Baron said at once.

He saw it immediately.

After spending so many days with her, he was familiar with every nuance of Natalie’s artistic style and design sense.

At first glance, it looked like a simple sketch of a ship; but the entire layout was clearly mapped out. Baron had originally planned to make a direct descent onto the ship–but now he changed his mind.

“Westin, lower the ladder. I’ll go in from underwater. You and Mr. Rio descend from above.”

At those words, Rio grew alarmed.

“Mr. Baron, you can’t! The Ocevaris is deep, and there are sharks down there. Diving in from underwater is suicide.”

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Chapter 403 Diving For Love, Literally

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“I know what I’m doing. I’ll sketch a simplified plan from her map–you’ll follow that layout. Take a few men and come with me underwater; I have to find my wife first, or I won’t have peace of mind.”

Baron grabbed paper and pen, quickly redrawing the layout.

Once Rio saw his version, he finally understood it.

He still had countless questions–like how Natalie had known the ship’s layout in the first place –but Baron didn’t give him time to ask.

“Westin, protect Mr. Rio. If anything happens to him, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“Yes, Mr. Baron!” Westin answered at once.

Rio had always assumed Westin and the others were sent by the Stone family; since Westin addressed Baron as Mr. Baron, he’d thought it was just a polite way of calling him “son–in–law.”

Baron didn’t bother to correct him. He took six men down the ladder, then plunged into the sea. For safety, each of them carried an oxygen tank on their backs.

Meanwhile, Natalie and Beth waited in the cabin.

They had no idea how long it had been, or when the auction would begin–but they heard the thrum of helicopter blades above, followed by a chorus of footsteps and shouts.

Beth’s expression darkened.

“Looks like it’s almost time. The big shots must be arriving one after another. Ms. Stone, your people aren’t here yet? Can we really make it out? If not… maybe I should hide you first?”

Beth hadn’t dared to hope at the beginning. She’d thought she and her son were doomed to rot on this ship. But now that Natalie had promised to get them out–real or not–she wanted to believe it, to try.

The worst that could happen was death; and if it came to that, she’d rather die cleanly, taking her son with her, than keep living this half–human, half–ghost existence while watching him

suffer.

The thought only made her more determined to escape.

Natalie was just as anxious, just as afraid.

She didn’t know if the sketch had reached Baron–or where he was now, whether he could make it in time.

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Chapter 403 Diving For Love, Literally

But when Beth suggested hiding her, Natalie shook her head.

“No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here until my husband comes for me.”

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She’d marked her exact location for Baron; if he arrived, this would be the first place he’d look.

If she hid, how would I find her? He’d panic–she knew he would.

Natalie bit her lip, stubborn and unyielding.

Beth hadn’t known Natalie long, but she understood that stubbornness instinctively.

“You really trust your husband that much? Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt again?”

Natalie paused, then said softly, “I’m scared. Love hurts–it cuts deep. But fear doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying. Some people are worth that kind of trust.”

She pictured Baron’s handsome face; the way he always thought of her first, no matter the situation; the nights he’d spent running himself ragged when she was lying on a hospital bed, fighting for her life. A quiet strength rose in her chest.

Maybe ten or twenty years from now, things would change–their love, their lives, everything. But right now, in this moment, she knew one thing for certain, Baron’s love for her was real.

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Chapter 404 My Hero Needs A Towel