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."

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

the psychological trauma Sophia had endured,

placing the rest of the gifts in front of them. "A wedding

what Zachary had told her. She followed his advice

spread

for Marcus to open the box. "Marcus, open it and

found the love lock and the set of uniquely

being a designer, understood the meaning at a glance. "Marcus, the bracelet is mine. You use the necklace to open it and put it on me. The necklace is the man's piece. From now on, the key to my bracelet will

Marcus was clearly delighted. He looked at Sophia. "Ms.

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

all women. He had a strong sense of possessiveness and jealousy but

looked at Marcus gazing at Natalie with such tenderness and indulgence. He really did

to help her put on the bracelet, then took

chance to meet up,"

Samuel hadn't returned, it would've been

"Samuel?"

my brother. We share

mother." Sophia's smile turned

"Mr. Holden knows him.

play together

But

So, they haven't kept

act so distant," Natalie said, glancing at Marcus.

call

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

little embarrassed. He really had wanted to keep his distance. In the past, he had mistakenly believed Sophia was his savior, and

nonsense, of course. But it was true that he had protected Sophia since they were little-far