Nathalia seemed very relaxed, playing with her hair as she asked casually, "How is everything going?"

"It looks like the Davidson Group has given up the idea of buying The Trend for now, but we don't know what's happening next," Lisa answered, looking much more relieved than before.

​​

It was rather strange. They seemed very determined and even aggressive to buy The Trend in the beginning, but it slowly faded away. Lisa couldn't figure out why. However, she believed that it was impossible that Ben Johnson was involved in it.

Nathalia, on the other hand, didn't think much about it. She had heard that Curt Davidson had been going to the hospital often, which was a good sign. She just hoped Mrs. Davidson would wake up soon and this tragedy would come to an end peacefully.

"Don't worry. We will just take a step at a time."

The question had been stuck in Lisa's throat. She hesitated, debated with herself, and eventually, she asked, "So, you and Spencer are over now? For real? It's such a shame. I mean if there is any misunderstanding, you should talk and make it clear. I don't want you to regret it, sweetie."

The Carters had even forced Nathalia to marry Ben Johnson. Lisa knew that she couldn't fight the Carters and protect Nathalia by herself. She had been hoping that Spencer could help protect Nathalia.

Nathalia looked a bit down and replied in a low voice, "It's fine. I will deal with it myself."

When Nathalia bumped into Spencer last time, he had to leave in a rush. She had heard that Mrs. Davidson was in an unstable state and thought it mustn't be easy for Spencer.

Lisa let out a sigh and left it as it was.

It was a busy evening at the hospital; people hurrying in and out. Nathalia stood outside the gate of the building where Mrs. Davidson was staying, looking up at the window of her room. 

She might seem in peace with others, but deep down, she felt exhausted, physically, and mentally. How she wished she could have a hug from someone, she loved! Yet, a wish was a wish.

She didn't understand why she came here, not to see him, but perhaps, perhaps just to be closer to him. I miss him very much.

"Miss Nathalia Carter." It was the bodyguard's voice. Nathalia turned around to see Anna glaring at her.

"What are you doing here?" Anna questioned crossly. Huh! What are these bodyguards doing? None of them is doing their job. I'm going to replace them!

The emptiness on Nathalia's face disappeared immediately, and she changed to her warrior mode, "It's none of your business. Is this your hospital? Am I not allowed to stay here? Who are you to speak to me like this?"

Enraged, Anna snapped, "Get the fuck out of here. Mr. Davidson and Spencer don't want to see you!"

Nathalia ignored her and gazed at the window, wondering if Spencer was there. Anna felt like she had been slapped on her face, seeing Nathalia's attitude. "Hey, I'm speaking to you! Can't you hear me?!"

Nathalia rolled her eyes and said, "I'm not interested in talking to stupid people." She's more than stupid, actually—a waste of time.

"I'm stupid? You are stupid! You asked for it. You don't know how good Spencer is to me now. He cares about me so much, and he's promised me that when mummy wakes up, he will marry me!" Anna retorted excitedly.

Recalling how Spencer reacted when they saw Nathalia at the café, Anna was so worried that she wished she could get rid of Nathalia permanently.

To Anna's surprise, Nathalia laughed mockingly. "Oh, really? I feel so sorry for Mrs. Davidson and Spencer."

"You don't have a chance anymore. Stop bothering Spencer. You only deserve someone like Ben Johnson." Anna continued, intending to discourage Nathalia, though she sounded feeble and lack of confidence.

Nathalia couldn't care less about Anna. She waved her hand and covered her nose with another hand as she teased, "You smell as disgusting as your lies. Stay away from me."

"Nathalia Carter, you are asking for a good slap!" Anna lifted her arm up, about to hit Nathalia.

"Anna!" Spencer shouted behind them.

Nathalia's heart skipped a beat. She turned around to see the handsome face she had missed so much. He seemed more tired than the last time she saw him. He had lost more weight, but not his charm. Nathalia noticed the frown between his eyebrows and the tiredness on his face. It made her heartache.

Frightened, Anna withdrew her arm instantly and turned to Spencer with an apologetic smile. "Spencer. I thought you were in the room with mummy. How is she?"

"What were you doing, lifting your hand up?" Spencer looked at Anna coldly.

"I...er, I was..." cold sweats dripping down her forehead, Anna panicked. "I was just telling Miss Nathalia Carter that I forgive her for slapping me twice last time."

Nathalia sneered. Ha. She's getting smarter. Not bad acting at all, but how much longer can someone fake and pretend?

"She slapped you twice?" Spencer questioned.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to tell you." Anna pretended that she had said the wrong thing, covering her mouth with her hands and said, "Sorry, Miss Nathalia Carter, I didn't mean to tell anyone. But anyway, Spencer, she was just angry and lost her temper. I forgive her. By the way, she's getting engaged soon. Congratulations!"

Spencer didn't expect to see Nathalia here at all. His face lit up at the sight of her, "Would you like to come to see my mum?" he said gently to Nathalia, totally ignoring what Anna said.

Anna's face looked extremely annoyed, thinking he never smiles at me or speaks to me gently, but to her, he's behaving completely differently, even the way he looks at her. Why?!

"But your father is there. It's probably not very good timing." Anna interrupted.

Nathalia took a glance at her and said, "Miss Anna JONES, thanks for reminding us." with extra emphasis on Anna's family name, implying that she was not part of the Davidson family.

Anna understood what Nathalia meant. Fury flared up inside her, but she dared not show it. Instead, she said sarcastically, "Nathalia Carter, congratulations! Spencer and I are very happy for you. We will surely be at your engagement party with beautiful presents."

Spencer frowned again.

Nathalia threw Anna an I-don't-care glance and turned to Spencer, handing him a bunch of pretty flowers. "For Mrs. Davidson. She will wake up soon because she loves you. She will come back to you."

Spencer felt like a ray of sunlight shining into his heart. His hand held Nathalia's as he accepted the flowers. The familiar touch made him feel comforted and loved.

Anna noticed and straight away, she jumped to Spencer, pushed Nathalia away, and grabbed Spencer's arm. "Spencer, Miss Nathalia Carter, has invited us to her engagement party, and I said we would go. What presents shall we get for her?" Anna kept bringing up the engagement topic, but neither Spencer nor Nathalia seemed to pay her any attention.

They looked into each other's eyes, her hands in his. There was so much he wanted to talk to her about, and she to him.

"Don't work too hard. You need to take care of yourself." Spencer said, eventually.

Instantly, tears filled Nathalia's eyes. "Thanks. I will. You too. See you."