Return Of The Heiress For Revenge - Chapter 492

Chapter 492: Do Not Have A Family
“Yes, Max is too philanthropic!” Nat said with a hollow chuckle, standing by the window, her arms wrapped around herself.

Nora leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, that familiar mischievous smile dancing on her lips. “Philanthropic? That’s one way to put it. I would’ve just called him hopelessly whipped.”

Nat turned to her with a frown. “He’s dating Lisa.”

“Oh, I know,” Nora drawled, walking further into the room and casually dropping herself onto the bed, “That doesn’t stop him from acting like your shadow.”

Natalie shot her a look but said nothing.

Nora grinned wider. “What? Can’t a girl make observations? He gave you his room, Nat. Most guys don’t give up their favorite space unless they’re either a saint or a man so deep in denial he’s forgotten how to breathe.”

“I told you, he was being considerate,” Natalie said firmly, brushing invisible lint off the window ledge. “After what happened, I was afraid. He just… wanted to help.”

“Mhm,” Nora murmured as she flopped back against the pillows, hands behind her head. “Sure. Just helping. Totally normal ‘just helping’ behavior—like avoiding his own girlfriend while pretending he doesn’t have eyes for someone else.”

Natalie’s shoulders tensed. “Lisa’s important to him.”

“Of course she is,” Nora replied sweetly, “So important that he practically sprints out of the house every time she calls and sprints back before you’re awake.”

Nat didn’t respond. Her eyes were glued to the garden outside, where the wind rustled the flowers she’d been tending.

Nora let the silence stretch a little before changing the subject, her voice softer now. “You’ve done a nice job with the place. Last time it felt like a waiting room for an interrogation.”

Nat managed a small smile. “The plants make it feel more like home.”

“And the baby books?”

Natalie turned slightly, her smile faltering.

“I just… want to be ready,” she said.

“For when you’re a mother?” Nora asked, raising a brow.

“For when I need to be strong enough to do it alone,” Nat corrected quietly.

Nora sat up a little straighter, watching her friend with something almost like pride. “You know, you’re stronger than you think. And you would never be alone.”

“I don’t feel strong at all.” She did not comment on other lines. She did not want to continue living here, though she was sure Nora would follow her if she asked, she did not want to meddle in their life too much. Alric and her had already done enough for her.

“You don’t need to feel it. You’re living it.” Nat sighed but did not continue.

“Did they find out about chris?” she hesitated, “once he would be captured, i want to leave this country and start a new life.”

“…” silence fell and then Nora sighed.

“God had given you a chance, Nat. you should snatch it. I am sure Max wanted to be snatched too.”

He was Just helping, she reminded herself. Even if it didn’t feel like that at all.

“I do not want him even if he serves himself on a silver platter.” They both glared at the door when they heard Emma coughing.

Only then did they notice Max was standing there, his hands holding the door too tightly and his eyes looking… lost before he smiled as if nothing had happened. Nora’s eyes flicked to Max standing at the doorway, then back to Natalie, whose face had turned a shade paler, lips pressed tightly together

Emma cleared her throat again, louder this time, her eyes darting between Max and Nat like someone who accidentally walked into a live bomb zone.

But Max, smooth as ever, acted like nothing happened.

“Nora,” he said with a small nod, a hint of a smile on his lips, “I heard you opened the new branch last week. Congratulations. Heard it’s already making waves in the beverage industry. I heard Alric is going to change the hospital menu too to make an addition to it.”

Emma snorted behind him. “He would add poison too if she made one!”

Max gave a low chuckle. “For the first time, I agree with you.”

Nat quietly moved to the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the frame. She wasn’t sure what stung more—his complete calm, or the fact that he didn’t correct her words, didn’t defend himself, didn’t try to explain. He just… moved on. Like she hadn’t said anything at all.

She hated that it hurt.

“I heard you are getting a promotion too. What are they making you now? The head of the department or giving you the whole hospital to handle. Let me warn you, do not fall into his trap. He only wants to lessen his work so that he can plan our marriage.,” Nora continued, tone light but careful. “But.. You’re really pushing hard these days.”

“I am trying to get that promotion you talk about. Not everyone had a family to return to. He is lucky to have you.” His eyes slowly fell on Natalie but moved away before one could add meaning to his gaze.

Nora stood up then, brushing off invisible dust. “Well, should we go then? Before Emma starts chewing the car seats?”

“I will if I don’t eat in fifteen minutes” Emma muttered, marching off toward the stairs dramatically.

Max stepped aside to let them pass, but his eyes briefly landed on Natalie. “You coming?”

Nat nodded, her voice quiet. “Yeah.”

As they passed by him, she didn’t meet his gaze. But he didn’t stop watching her, not even for a second.

Nora, walking behind them, whispered under her breath with a smirk only Nat could hear.

“Don’t want him, huh?” Natalie didn’t respond.

But the look in her eyes said everything she was too afraid to admit. She cursed herself to be so much affected by his passing words.

She was not his family to begin with, and she could never be one. She had the child of someone else in her womb. Max deserves someone better. Someone like.. Lisa!