When She Rose From the Ashes

The Smell of Rot

Natalie’s words were a clear dismissal.

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Jensen’s chest tightened painfully, but he knew that if he kept pressing, Natalie would only grow colder toward him.

The last thing he could bear was her disgust.

So he swallowed everything and said quickly, “I heard something today. The baby swap back then-it may be connected to a woman named Rachel. I don’t have all the details yet, but I’ll find them.”

Natalie froze.

“Rachel?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know? Where did you hear that?” Her eyes were sharp, skeptical.

Jensen’s heart ached even more.

Once, Natalie had trusted him blindly, believed every word. Now she doubted even this?

A bitter smile touched his lips. “I saw it while following my mother. She had some kind of dealings with Rachel more than twenty years ago. Now Rachel is threatening her. I’ll investigate further and give you the truth.”

Natalie hadn’t expected Loretta’s name to come up. She couldn’t be sure how much Loretta knew, but if Jensen really had found a lead, she couldn’t ignore it.

“I understand. If it turns out to be true, I’ll thank you for it, Mr. Jensen.”

“Natalie, you know I don’t want your thanks.”

He stepped forward, but Natalie immediately stepped back.

nothing else I can give you. I owe you one for today, but if that’s all,

back down at

her. Its beauty only fueled

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Oct 2

291 The Smell

had been for him. Now, they were

him.

€55

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I’ll go. But I’ll keep investigating my mother, and if I

necessary. If you find anything, email me. I’ll read

sharp,

giving him even

uncovered the truth of what happened more than twenty years

thought was his only comfort as he left

bent over her drawing, utterly absorbed, as though he no longer

outside, staring at her through the glass. The sight of her so

His eyes burned with a

on marrying me under the pretense I was dying…

then another surfaced-Witch

matter what, he

His eyes narrowed.

Witch Doctor. Otherwise how would

if she really did know him, why hadn’t she

gnawed at

no avoiding

to

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14:16 Thu, Oct 2