The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 660 Marcus

As soon as the little boy asked the question, the other children quickly gathered around, surrounding Marcus in a tight circle. Their clear, curious eyes stared up at him.

"He's not my boyfriend," Natalie said with a smile. "He's my husband. You should all call him Mr. Marcus."

"Mr. Marcus!" The kids shouted in unison. Their chirping voices came all at once, catching Marcus completely off guard.

Natalie stepped forward, standing just outside the crowd of children, smiling as she watched them.

Marcus looked up and saw Natalie's radiant smile. After such a long and tiring journey, and after trudging all this way, she should have been exhausted. But in this moment, her eyes sparkled with stunning brilliance.

She had genuine love for this place and for these children.

Marcus' lips curved upward. He no longer found the children noisy. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of chocolates, passing them out one by one.

"Here's some candy for you all. Go massage Ms. Natalie's shoulders and legs. She went through a lot just to come see you." His voice was soft, his gaze gentle.

In the past, Marcus never had this kind of patience or tenderness for kids. It was quite the opposite, actually. He used to find children noisy and annoying and preferred to stay far away from them.

But now, looking at the smile on Natalie's face, he suddenly thought these kids were actually kind of cute.

After receiving the chocolates, the children became even more excited and swarmed even closer to Marcus.

"Mr. Marcus, when did you and Ms. Natalie get married?"

"Yeah! Why didn't you invite us to the wedding?"

"We want party favors-and candy!"

"Mr. Marcus, did you bring any?"

Marcus blinked, caught off guard. "Party favors?"

Party favors in this context? That was new to him.

"They mean the little gift bundles," Natalie said, stepping up and gently tugging Marcus forward with a smile.

these parts, the bride usually prepares small keepsakes like handkerchiefs for the kids. On the wedding night, the kids go around asking the bride for them, and she gives

turns giving the bride their well wishes in

a quick cultural lesson, then turned to

you lot," Natalie said, waving them along. "We need to rest here at school. We'll see you

come eat at my

stepped forward and grabbed Natalie's hand. "My mom and dad have been keeping the food warm, waiting for

three daughters in a row and were still trying for a fourth, determined to

Dorothy, and Theresa Lopez-names not chosen with care or celebration, but out of misplaced hope. They weren't expected of anything, let alone cherished. Each name was little more than a placeholder, a quiet wish that the next child would

that they stay home to do household chores and prepared to marry them off as soon

their parents reluctantly agreed

dig herbs, taught them how to plant fruit trees, provided fertilizer and seeds, and later bought the harvest

but the effort

"Why don't we all go over, have a bit to eat, then

villagers last saw you. Now that you've returned and brought Mr. Marcus with you, I think they'd all

too, wanted to meet the people

Let's go, then. We'll head to Maverick's house. Una, tell your parents

you

always looking

Natalie had been planning

they refused to let the girls change the names they were called

could only

went to

dishes were simple, hearty comfort food. The vegetables came from the backyard garden, and they had cooked up one

side of steamed cornmeal, and a bottle

go around. It wasn't fancy, but it was warm, welcoming, and

in," Maverick

let me introduce my husband, Marcus Holden," Natalie said, taking Marcus' hand. "We got married

wedding candies We morninet

brought for

morning, I'll need your help to

over a large