Chapter 317
“Let’s not talk about it. What’s done is done p>
Natalie lowered her head, her fingers softly brushing over the cover of the scripture. Her voice was so quiet, it almost disappeared into the room.
Arianna watched her, torn between anger and helpless worry.
She knew Natalie was as stubborn as they came. Once she decided on something, nobody could talk her out of it.
But watching Natalie suffer because of Alexander was more than Arianna could stand.
“Natalie, please, don’t do this to yourself Arianna’s voice trembled, her eyes stinging. “You haven’t done anything wrong. Why should you have to carry all this pain?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
Natalie lifted her head and managed a faint smile. “Really, Arianna, I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about me p>
Arianna wanted to argue, but when she met the steady look in Natalie’s eyes, all she could do was let out a long sigh.
After breakfast, Natalie sat down and started copying the scriptures.
Her grip on the pen was tight. Every stroke was careful and steady, her focus unwavering. There was no anger left in her, only a quiet sense of devotion.
She was doing this for two innocent children.
Time passed slowly. The bright daylight faded, shadows stretching across the floor, until finally the night pressed in around her.
By then, Natalie’s hand hurt so much, she could barely hold her pen.
She would pause, flex her fingers, then keep going.
Arianna knew Natalie wouldn’t have the energy to cook. She stayed, making lunch and dinner for them both, but Natalie only picked at her food before going right back to her writing.
“How much do you have left?” Arianna asked, carrying over a bowl of sweet soup. “Come on, take a break. You look exhausted, Natalie. Your face is so pale, and your eyes… Have you even slept p>
“Ten more times,” Natalie said, her pen never stopping. “I’m fine, Arianna. You have it p>
Arianna set the bowl aside, then gently took Natalie’s hand. “Let me do the rest. You’ve been working at this all day. You’ll wear yourself out p>
She reached for Natalie’s pen, but Natalie pulled her hand away.
“I’ve already made it this far. What’s ten more? And I’m not just doing this for Camila’s child. I want… I want Buddha to bless my own child, to give them a chance at a happy family in the next life. So please Arranna, let me finish. I need to do this myself p>
She sat back down and picked up the pen again.
Time slipped by. Finally, when she finished the last copy, Natalie set her pen down.
Her fingers were numb, and her whole body was weak, but she forced herself to stand.
Arianna had fallen asleep on the
sofa. Natalie looked out the window.
The sky was just starting to lighten
at the edge, the promise of dawn not far away.
With a few hours left before sunrise, Natalie lay down at the other end of the sofa,
not even bothering to change, and closed her eyes for a little rest.
In the early morning, Arianna drove with Natalie to Vesper Ridge.
Mist hung in the air, making everything cool and damp.
At the foot of the mountain, Natalie looked up. Nine hundred and
ninety mine stone steps curled out of
sight, leading to the summil.ne
Somehow, she felt calm.
“Natalie, are you sure about this?” Arianna asked, her voice full of worry.
Natalie nodded and gave her a reassuring look.
She stepped up to the first stair, knelt down, pressed her palms together, and bowed her head in prayer.
Then she stood, moved to the next step, and knelt again.
Her movements were slow and steady, like she was taking part in a solemn ritual no one else could hear.
Arianna followed behind, watching her friend climb, knees on stone, step after step. The sight was almost too much to bear.
By the time Natalie had reached over a hundred steps, her face was ghostly pale and sweat clung to her forehead.
Arianna hurried to help, but Natalie gently pushed her away.