The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 187 Seeing His Other Side

When Marcus rested his chin on Natalie's shoulder, he didn't move again.

Annoyed, Natalie reached up and yanked his hair back hard. "Marcus, get off me."

"You didn't... get drugged again, did you?" she asked sharply. It was the only explanation she could think of for why he was acting like this.

"No," he murmured, his deep, raspy voice tinged with exhaustion. "No one drugged me."

But something had upset him—that much was true. Not that he'd admit it. Their relationship wasn't close enough for him to share every little detail.

He wanted to hold her purely because of the alcohol. He was chasing that fleeting memory of the crimson red scarf she'd worn once and the comforting scent she always carried.

As he held her, taking in her soothing fragrance, the unease and irritation swirling in his chest began to calm. But Natalie wasn't letting up. Her grip on his hair was relentless, as if she were about to yank it all out.

Marcus finally grabbed her wrist, his strong hand prying her fingers free with ease.

"Ms. Walker, I apologize."

"Get off," she snapped, her tone as blunt as ever. "Mr. Holden, we're not close enough for this kind of behavior."

That earned a low chuckle from Marcus. He slowly sat up, but his piercing black eyes never left her face, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

Natalie frowned, her frustration clear on her delicate features. "You said you had something to tell me about Mrs. Langley Senior. That's the only reason I came downstairs. I'm exhausted and need to rest. I don't have time to deal with your drunken antics."

Marcus wasn't offended. Instead, he simply stared at her, his sharp gaze taking in the flush of irritation on her otherwise pale face.

Natalie looked so much like Charlotte in her youth-it was uncanny.

an urgent phone call and left before the conversation could continue.

estranged mother to call him afterward, saying that now that the

Emma wasn't good enough for

laughable. His entire life seemed inextricably tied to the Walker family's daughters, no matter how hard he tried to

a hand in front of his face. "Mr. Holden, are

back into the couch

Natalie had shifted, but the resentment he felt at being forced into this situation remained. His parents, who had ignored him for years, suddenly appeared in his life just

what could they do? This marriage was out

his eyes closing as his body relaxed. "Or... have a drink with

right now?" "That won't

a single tear

an eyebrow. Well, this is new. In her

Go ahead, spill it. Maybe it'll

quiet. Being abandoned by his parents-did that count as something sad? But why

than a living blood bank for the Langley But once her biological family found her, they showered her with

had grown up in his family's home, but his parents

the country,

And now,

first

wondering who

or Natalie. He didn't realize

still crying. All he felt was a crushing weight on his chest, making

silence. His perfectly tailored suit was now

something

was

disheveled, and his lips were pressed into

vulnerable side of him was surprising for a man who always