When She Rose From the Ashes

Chapter 1 Leaving Jensen for Good

Chapter 1 Leaving Jensen for Good

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The dim yellow light mixed with the scent of burning incense, making the room feel thick with tension.

Wearing a sheer nightgown, Natalie Summers found herself pressed against the door. Jensen Luke’s hand gripping her neck.

“Natalie, you’re mine tonight.”

He leaned in. Jensen was 6’2“, towering over Natalie, making her seem even more petite.

Before she could say anything, Jensen’s lips pressed against hers, taking her breath away.

Natalie tilted her head up and met the lust–filled depths of his eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed just inches from her, and his scorching breath made her face flush and her body go weak.

It was the fifth anniversary of their relationship. Overflowing with love, she kissed him back.

The sound of tearing fabric and shallow breaths filled the room as the tension between them grew.

Just as they were about to become one, Jensen’s phone rang.

Interrupted at such a moment, his irritation was obvious, but he answered anyway.

Natalie, panting, caught a glimpse of the caller ID: it was Felix, Jensen’s closest friend.

“Jensen, are you out of your mind? You-”

“Switching to Fracian. Now’s not a good time.”

Jensen quickly changed languages.

There was a pause, then Felix spoke in fluent foreign speech: “You really went and got married to Sharon? What the hell are you thinking? Five years ago, you got into that street race to save her and nearly died in the crash. But Sharon? She ditched you and ran off overseas with another guy! She’s had boyfriend after boyfriend while she was gone–she never cared about you! And now you’ve actually married her?”

Felix’s words automatically translated in Natalie’s mind into her native tongue.

Her eyes flew open.

The heat in her body still lingered, but her heart had plunged into an icy abyss.

Jensen hadn’t noticed her reaction. His voice was cold and measured. “Sharon has cancer. She doesn’t have long. Her final wish is to marry me, to be my wife. She said the person she owes the most in this life is me, and she wants to end our first love story with a perfect ending. I can’t let her die with regrets.”

she was the one who never left your side, who cared for you day and night. She gave you everything she had. You really think she deserves to

anger didn’t shake

1/4

7:16 pm PD

1 Leaving Jensen for

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keeps it quiet, Natalie

you seriously believe Sharon has

Jensen over the

I know what

that, he

up where they

feel

arms around herself, trembling slightly, her face pale as

of which was Fracian. She’d never had the chance to

that, Jensen looked

wrong? Do you want me to take you

seem fake–but

deeply while secretly marrying

turn him down when his phone chimed again—this time with a distinctive WhatsApp notification

at the screen. “Something’s come up at the office. I need to take care of it right away. Try to rest. If you still feel sick, call me–I’ll have someone take

he was grabbing his

and the tears finally spilled down her

She had seen it.

message was from

“Jensen, I’m in pain. Please

her heart feeling as if a gaping

blurred her vision as memories she had tried so hard to bury

birth and raised by the Summers family, living a life of luxury until she turned eighteen–when the real Summers daughter, Sharon, was found and brought home.

believed Natalie had stolen eighteen years of her

2/4

7:16 pm P

Leaving

locked away

moldy corner became Natalie’s entire

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whipping her with cruel delight. Each lash was

should have protected her, ignored her suffering to please their