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."

call and turned toward the shore. Sophia was dressed in black sweats and sneakers, which made her stand out among

Natalie understood. After the psychological trauma Sophia had endured,

with a smile, handing Natalie the interlocking circle sculpture and placing the rest of the gifts in front of

told her. She followed his advice and presented the

smile spread across his face, bright and

held the sculpture and motioned for Marcus to open the box. "Marcus, open

love lock and the set of uniquely

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

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

call her "Ms. Sinclair", then quickly realized that this was exactly

from all women. He had a strong sense of possessiveness and jealousy but also held himself to the same standard. He wouldn't give Natalie even the slightest reason to feet

Marcus gazing at Natalie with such

other hand, stayed composed. She asked Marcus to help her put on

while but haven't had the chance to meet up," Natalie said, glancing at Sophia. "How

If Samuel hadn't returned, it would've

"Samuel?"

my brother. We share the

mother." Sophia's smile turned

"Mr. Holden

to play

But

went abroad. So, they haven't kept in

you don't need to act so distant," Natalie said, glancing at Marcus.

don't need to call her 'Ms. Sinclair',

lot. Just because we're

his distance. In the past, he had mistakenly believed Sophia was his savior, and some people even spread rumors that he liked her,

it was true that he had protected Sophia since they were little-far more than Sky ever