After Almos left, Nathalie felt like she was stuck in a dream she couldn''t wake up from—her heart and mind floating somewhere far away. Day after day, she shut herself in her room, barely seeing a soul.

She ignored the news of Morris leaving, turned a deaf ear to Cameron and Greta''s repeated knocks at the door, and let her phone gather dust.fna61c Content originallyes from find?novel/fna61c

Lincoln, worried sick about his daughter, took to cooking her favorite meals three times a day-perfectly roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, apple pie fresh from the oven-bringing each dish to her door and trying to coax her out. "Sweetheart,e on, try a little. Everything''s just how you like it."

"I can''t, Dad. I just... can''t eat." Nathalie''s voice was t, her whole energy drained.

"Just a bite for me? Please?" Lincoln''s voice was gentle, hopeful.

She looked up at him, and in that moment, all she saw was the deep worry etched into his face. Of course she knew he cared-how could she not? But his kindness only made her feel worse, a wave of guilt and shame crashing over her. Suddenly, she broke down, burying her face in her arms and sobbing at the table.

"Vivian, honey, what''s wrong?" Lincoln rushed to her side, leaving the food forgotten as he tried tofort her.

"My girl, Lizzy said you tried hypnosis. Wasn''t it supposed to help you rest and feel better? Why are you more upset now?"

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Nathalie lifted her head. "Dad, tell me honestly-why did Nathan leave Stewart Estate?"

Lincoln hesitated, swallowing hard, afraid of making things worse. "Vivian, really, it had nothing to do with me. I didn''t want him to go either, but... I couldn''t stop him."

Her eyes were red and fierce. "But why did he go? Did he ever tell you?"

A guilty look shed across Lincoln''s face. He knew the real reason-Morris was

sick, there was no cure, and leaving was his way of protecting Nathalie.

"He found his family—the Sharps. They''re wealthy, powerful. Going back to be the Sharps'' young master it''s w

it''s what anyone in

shoes would do," "Lincoln said, grasping at a convenient excuse.  s

He didn''t realize Nathalie had remembered everything-two lifetimes'' worth of memories all pieced together now. She saw every sacrifice Morris had made for her. She knew that even if he went back to the Sharps, he''d never find the love he longed for. And she understood now: Morris left because he thought he was cursed, that being with him would only hurt her.  s

Nathalie stared straight into Lincoln''s eyes. "Dad, he should be with me. That''s the only ce he belongs."

Lincoln''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he searched for words. "Vivian, everyone has

to live their own life. We can''t force Nathan toe back, no matter how much we want to."

Nathalie''s gaze dimmed, her spirit sinking even lower.

Lincoln saw her crumple and gave in. "Okay, okay. I''ll talk to him, see if I can bring him back."

Nathalie nodded quietly.

After Lincoln left, an email popped up on herptop. It was her medical report

fromst week. She opened the message but didn''t click on the results. Instead, she just sat there, lost in thought.

In herst life, she''d donated a kidney, married Cameron, and had a child. Her daughter was always sick, and worry devoured her until depression took hold, She neglected. her own health, poorly never slept, and kidney disease soon followed.  s

But this time, she''d done everything differently. She''d divorced Cameron, ended the pregnancy, left the country, and found Nathan. That''s when her life finally started to turn around.