The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Samuel looked at Sierra, then slowly let his gaze drift across the others in the

room.

Jonathan and Melissa stared at him with open disgust. There was no attempt to hide it.

These were the people who had once treated him like their own son. Now, their gazes made it clear they could barely stand the sight of him.

If looks could kill, they might have already tried.

And then there was Samantha-his birth mother.

She had sent him abroad when he was young and never once visited during all those years. Even now that he was back, she still refused to see him.

The look she gave him now? Pure, bitter disappointment.

As for Sophia-his sister-the first time he called her after returning, they ended up in a screaming match.

That conversation ended in a fight, which shattered whatever bond they once had and turned it into complete hostility.

She wasn't here out of concern. There was no sincerity in her visit.

And Zachary? From the moment they met, the man had punched him square in the face. Clearly, he didn't see Samuel as any kind of brother-in-law or family at all.

Now, Sophia looked at him like he was nothing. Her gaze was cold, filled with contempt. If a stare could kill, she'd already have finished the job.

"Mr. Sinclair, I hope you calculate the exact amount you think I owe you," Sierra said when Samuel remained silent.

"Right here, in front of my parents, in front of my adoptive mom, in front of Sophia and Mr. Holt. And later, when Mr. Holden and Ms. Walker arrive, I plan to invite them all to bear witness. Let's make a clean break today. Once it's done, we're done. Don't come looking for me again."

Her voice stayed calm, but her eyes stung. She was forcing herself to stay composed.

She and Samuel had grown up together they were true childhood sweethearts. So many of her "firsts" had happened with him by her side.

And now, this was another first-her first real breakup and divorce. And it was with the man who had been in her life the longest.

"Mr. Sinclair, better a clean cut than dragging it out. You want money? Fine. I'll give you money. Consider it my last gesture of decency toward you," Sierra said calmly.

After she had spoken, she turned her head away. No matter how firm her resolve or how she'd made up her mind, this still hurt.

Going from the person she was once closest to... to this. It wasn't what she had ever wanted. But she knew that if she forced herself to keep going with Samuel, she'd never be happy.

Samuel's values and his entire worldview were completely different from hers. He believed everything that happened to Sophia was her own fault-that she deserved it. Which meant that when something had happened to Sierra, he'd think she deserved it too.

As a husband and a brother, he showed no empathy for the women in his life. Instead, he blamed them.

That kind of man was terrifying.

There were so many years left in her life, and Sierra didn't dare take that gamble.

Samuel couldn't believe it. This was the same Sierra who used to cry at the sight of him with a scraped knee. And now, here he was with a cast on his leg, lying in a hospital bed, and she didn't even flinch.

The way Sierra looked at him now-so cold, so distant-it scared him.

"Sierra, did you have to say all this while I'm injured?" Samuel said bitterly. "Can't you see I'm hurt?"

Jonathan couldn't listen anymore. He stormed up to the hospital bed and slapped Samuel hard across the face twice.

"You know you're injured? Then how the hell didn't you notice the massive bandage on my daughter's face? Since we walked in here, have you even asked her once what happened to her?

"Samuel, my wife and I treated you like our son. We were even planning to hand over the entire Remington family business to you.

"Do you know why? Because we believed you'd take care of our daughter. That you'd protect her, love her, and understand how hard she's had it.

"But now I see the truth-you're not worthy. You don't deserve her! A selfish, heartless man like you belongs alone, rotting in a damn sewer."

Even after that, Jonathan was still furious. "And we all heard the way you spoke to her on the phone. Samuel, my wife and I—we misjudged you."

Samuel, stunned by both the slaps and the verbal blow, turned to Sierra. "Sierra, how could you tell them what we talked about?"

Sierra let out a bitter laugh. "Why shouldn't I tell my parents what's happening in my life? Samuel, my dad isn't like yours. My dad loves me.

"When he finds out I've been hurt, he shows up to protect me. He tells me I did nothing wrong, that I'm still worthy, that I'm the victim.

"He tells me that no matter what, I'm enough. And I believe him. I'm not going to keep blaming myself for things I didn't do just to make someone like you feel better."

Sierra clenched her jaw. "Samuel, I gave you years of my life. My youth, my best moments-I gave them to you.

"And yet, you had the nerve to ask me for emotional damages and compensation for wasted time? If paying you gets me away from you, then fine. I'll do it."

Her tears finally fell. "Samuel, let's end this on a decent note... if that's even possible."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the hospital room. When it opened, Marcus and Natalie stepped inside, one after the other.

"Hope we're not interrupting," Marcus said casually, carrying a small bag of supplements and placing it on the bedside table.

He looked down at Samuel, calm but unmistakably sharp, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Mr. Sinclair, how are you holding up?"

"Marcus Holden, how can you even

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pretend to care? You're the one who had someone break my leg!"

Samuel's voice rose, his chest heaving with rage. "And now you show up... bringing gifts?"

"Oh? My bad. Then I'll take it back," Marcus replied coolly.

He calmly picked the bag of supplements up from the bedside table and turned to Elijah. "Check the other rooms, see if any of the elderly patients need these. Give it to someone who'll appreciate it."

"Yes, Mr. Marcus." Elijah took the bag without hesitation and walked out.

Samuel stared, stunned. The way Marcus shut him down left him completely speechless.

"Please, carry on. Don't mind me or my wife," Marcus said with a casual smile, turning back around. He gently pulled Natalie over and sat with her on the couch.

"Mr. and Mrs. Holden, I want to ask you both to be witnesses for me." Sierra stepped forward, eyes still red but voice steady as she looked at them.

"I've made up my mind that I'm divorcing Samuel, but he's demanding compensation for emotional damage and wasted youth. I'll pay him.noveldrama

"At the same time, I want it made clear that whatever was between us ends today.

From then on, we go our separate ways. No more ties. No more drama."

7.ne

"Then you'll want to get a lawyer involved," Natalie said gently, offering a smile. "Verbal agreements are easy to deny later. I actually know someone-a lawyer friend. I'll give him a call and have him come over to help you get the divorce paperwork started."