Natalie awoke in the familiar confines of her own home. The reasons for her return were unclear; whether Emmett was struck by a sudden bout of conscience or driven by an ulterior motive remained a mystery. Despite his refusal to provide anesthesia during the branding, he had subsequently furnished her with costly medications to aid her recovery.
After days of rest, the pain on her back had significantly lessened. However, each time she caught sight of the scar, it felt like a brand of shame seared into her skin.
Emmett, lounging in the living room of the Cullen Villa, casually sipped her coffee. A hint of schadenfreude played on her face as she confessed, "Natalie, I've fulfilled my promise to you. But from here on, I'm powerless to help."
At her words, Natalie's hands clenched at her sides.
Emmett had been true to her word, arranging for a specialist to examine Rosalie after their engagement party. Yet, despite extensive tests, the diagnosis remained unchanged: Rosalie's survival hinged on a kidney transplant.
Natalie's expression remained stoic as she murmured, "Thank you."
Unfazed by her cold demeanor, Emmett chuckled, "Don't fret. As long as you continue impersonating 'Alice,' I'll keep assisting with your mother's treatment."
Natalie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Continue to play Alice?"
Emmett confirmed, "Yes, Alice still requires treatment. Adrian is usually preoccupied and won't be checking on her daily. All you need to do is carry Alice's phone and occasionally handle Adrian."
As Emmett spoke, she rose and sauntered behind her, pressing deliberately on her still-healing scar. Natalie gasped in pain, and her icy voice whispered close, "But if you attempt to seduce Adrian, your mother's treatment ends!"
Suppressing her resentment, Natalie gritted out, "I agree."
Emmett chuckled low, "Good girl." She watched Natalie shiver with pain and nodded in satisfaction, "Who would've thought that scar would prove useful?"
Natalie remained silent, understanding Emmett's implication. Despite sharing a scar identical to Alice's, she would never truly become Alice.
Meanwhile, at Ardentia University, Natalie sat in the lecture hall, listening to her friend Bella's ramblings. "I can't fathom what stroke of luck Alice stumbled upon. Why has Mr. Howard taken such a liking to her?"
Bella leaned in closer, whispering, "Could it be like the rumors suggest? That she slept with Mr. Howard?"
Natalie's hand stilled mid-sentence, the memory of the man's warmth from the other night causing her breath to hitch. Taking a deep breath, she abruptly stood, "I need to use the restroom."
Bella looked surprised, "But class is about to start, isn't it? I heard today's finance lecture is by a new guest instructor from a top global company. You'll lose points for being late…"
Before Bella could finish, Natalie had already darted for the door, colliding with a man's chest. Bella gasped in shock.
Rubbing her sore nose at the doorway, Natalie heard a commotion from the classroom. Before she could react, she recognized the deep voice above her, "Are you okay?"
That voice...
It was him!
Adrian!
Natalie jerked her head up, the tall, familiar figure of the man looming above her.
Upon seeing Natalie, Adrian paused, surprise flickering in his eyes, "Alice?"
Natalie's mind whirred. She met his gaze—
She wasn't wearing a mask!