When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 456

Chapter 456 Shut Up and Survive

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Terrified Ruby might hurt herself. Waylon hurried to say, “My dear, I was wrong; I’m not a man, okay? Don’t get yourself so worked up. Why don’t you take a break before you hit me again? My skin’s thick–1 bet your hand already hurts. Listen, I’ll go kneel on a washboard if you want, really. Just… don’t get too upset.”

“Shut up!”

Ruby snapped, her voice low and trembling with anger. Waylon immediately fell silent; but his eyes brimmed with worry, guilt, and remorse. Seeing him like that, Ruby finally released him and dropped onto the couch.

The living room went eerily quiet.

Waylon shot Flynn a pleading look. Flynn quickly shook his head.

Then, father and son turned their gazes toward Natalie.

Natalie blinked wide–eyed. Seriously? You’re throwing me under the bus now? Aren’t I supposed to be your little treasure?

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Everyone froze for a split second, then tensed. Who from the Stone family would show up at a time like this?

“I’ll get it!”

Natalie seized the chance–finally, an excuse to break the unbearable silence. There was no way she was stepping in to defend Waylon and Flynn.

Honestly, Waylon had dug himself into this hole; if she were Ruby, she’d give him the silent treatment for a whole month.

So the doorbell was nothing short of salvation.

Afraid the men might stop her, Natalie jumped up and dashed for the door.

“Sweetheart-”

“Natalie-”

Waylon and Flynn both called after her, but the moment Ruby’s cold glare sliced toward them,

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Chapter 456 Shut Up and Survive

they clamped their mouths shut and shrank back into their seats like scolded quails.

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Natalie didn’t bother to ask who it was. She ran straight to the door and opened the electronic lock without hesitation.

When Baron appeared before her, she lit up in excitement.

“Baron? You’re back! I have to tell you–I found out a huge secret!”

Grabbing his hand, she pulled him aside like an eager child and whispered the whole story about Moses into his ear.

The moment Baron saw her, he noticed how much better she looked–brighter, more alive. But her eyes were still a little red and puffy, like she’d been crying. And knowing Natalie, once she started crying, she didn’t stop easily.

He had rushed back the moment he saw the video Shauna sent–Natalie sobbing her heart out -and it had gutted him.

He knew he hadn’t truly opened Natalie’s heart yet; after everything she’d been through, to break down in front of her father and brother like that said a lot. Family still mattered most to her.

That thought hurt him–but he couldn’t be angry.

After all, he and Natalie hadn’t been together for long. He had no right to expect her to love him as deeply as he loved her, did he? So he came back anyway–because even if she couldn’t love him completely yet, he wanted to be there for her when she was hurting.

What he didn’t expect was how warm her welcome would be. And when she leaned close to whisper secrets in his ear, all he could see was her.

Her eyes sparkled, shards of light dancing in them like stars, as if she’d been reborn.

This Natalie was radiant, so breathtaking he could hardly look away.

And then there was her mouth, soft and flushed as she chattered on. Suddenly, Baron leaned down, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her.

Natalie had been in mid–sentence when he did it. The suddenness of it startled her–and when she realized they were standing outside, possibly in view of servants or cameras, heat crept up

her face.

She pushed at him, but Baron was like a man possessed. His strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tight as though he wanted to crush her into his bones, carry her everywhere he

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Chapter 456 Shut Up and Survive

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went.

When her resistance proved useless, Natalie gave up struggling. If you can’t fight it… might as well enjoy it.

The thought made her want to laugh, but instead she surrendered completely, even daring to respond to his kiss.

Baron froze for half a second, nearly losing his mind. Did this woman even know what she was doing?

That hint of shyness mixed with playful defiance sent his pulse skyrocketing.

With a sudden jerk, Baron pushed her away.

Natalie stared at him, wide–eyed and bewildered. “What was that for?”