The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 613 No Need to Pretend We’re Strangers

Sophia felt like her throat was stuffed with cotton, and her eyes burned with a sudden sting. She clutched her phone tightly, but for a moment, no sound came out at all. She couldn't speak-couldn't even breathe properly.

"Sophia, are you crying?" Natalie's cool, calm voice came through the phone.

She repeated the question when she received no response. "Are you crying?"

Sophia quickly shook her head, then realized Natalie couldn't see her. She hurried to speak. "Nat, I'm not crying. I'm just feeling a little down."

"Where are you?"

"I'm not far from the parking lot entrance. Where are you?"

"On the beach. Come over."

"Okay."

Neither of them hung up. They stayed on the line, occasionally checking in to confirm each other's location.

Soon, Sophia spotted Natalie. She and Marcus were walking hand in hand along the beach, speaking softly to each other. Sophia saw Natalie smile at Marcus, her eyes curving sweetly.

The air around Natalie had changed. She used to keep her distance from everyone, never warm, often even cold and detached. That was especially true for Marcus. She would avoid him as much as possible, always keeping her distance.

But now, standing beside each other, the two of them looked perfectly matched. Their gazes were gentle when they looked at one another, and the happiness between them was so tangible it couldn't be hidden.

Sophia looked on with envy. If she hadn't gone through all those terrible things, maybe she, too, could have been like an ordinary girl, happy and carefree with someone she loved.

Still, seeing Natalie and Marcus happy was enough for her.

"Nat, I see you," Sophia said, sniffling as she tried to steady her emotions. "I'm coming now."

"Okay."

black sweats and sneakers, which made her stand out among the swimsuit and

understood. After the psychological trauma Sophia had endured, her sudden shift in clothing style

and placing the rest of the gifts in front of them. "A wedding gift for you both.

Zachary had told her. She followed his advice and presented the gift, calling Natalie "Mrs.

second, Marcus' smile spread

Marcus to open the box. "Marcus, open it and see what

and found the love lock and the

it and put it on me. The necklace is the man's piece. From now on, the key to my bracelet will

delighted. He looked at Sophia. "Ms. Sinclair, thank you for

Sinclair", then quickly realized that this was exactly what

jealousy but also held himself to the same standard. He wouldn't give Natalie even the

with such tenderness and indulgence. He really did love

on the bracelet, then took the sculpture and led Sophia

but haven't had the chance to meet up," Natalie said, glancing

Samuel hadn't returned, it would've been

"Samuel?"

We share the

mother." Sophia's smile turned

"Mr. Holden knows him.

to play together

young. But

abroad. So,

don't need to act so distant," Natalie said,

to call her 'Ms.

out for her a lot. Just because we're married doesn't mean you have to treat her

had mistakenly believed Sophia was

true that he had protected Sophia since they were little-far