Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 119: Natalie Blurts Out: Your Daughter Is Asleep!

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Natalie Blurts Out: Your Daughter Is Asleep!

Natalie blinked, her tone half-joking, half-serious: "If you tell me under such a beautiful starry sky, I promise I won’t get mad."

As she spoke, there was a hint of expectation in her eyes.

Please.

Don’t let her down.

If he was willing to confess, then she—

"No." Isaac brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. "There’s nothing I’m keeping from you. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

Natalie lowered her eyes, hiding the chill in them.

When she looked up again, she spoke softly: "Didn’t you say I could ask anything? I was just making conversation."

That night, Isaac missed his chance.

No matter how much he regretted, a missed opportunity couldn’t be undone.

If he could have foreseen everything, he would definitely have told her the truth.

Only, the world never has a cure for regret.

People always have to pay the price for their choices.

——

Two days later.

The road down the mountain was finally open.

It wasn’t as good as before, but at least it was passable.

Mia’s Mom gave them her homemade chili sauce and pickles.

Mia’s Grandmother held Natalie’s hand, touched her belly, and reminded, "Take good care of yourself and the little one."

Natalie promised she would.

But in her heart, she silently apologized to Mia’s Grandmother.

Because she might not be able to keep that promise.

Mia’s Dad walked them all the way out to where they could catch a ride.

Looking through the rearview mirror as Mia’s Dad’s figure grew smaller and smaller, Lucas felt a bit down.

"Hey, next time you go home, remember to ask me along."

Mia looked at him like he was talking nonsense.

"I love your mom’s noodles, and your dad—playing cards with him is fun."

"..."

Natalie quietly gazed out the window. Isaac held her hand. "I heard about you wanting to build a school here with Lucas. It won’t be easy to set up, but don’t worry, I’ll personally oversee it."

Natalie glanced at him and replied softly, "Mm."

*

Back in Janton.

Isaac got in touch with Franklin Finch and learned he’d brought Helen Cross back.

Natalie followed Isaac to meet her.

Franklin led them to the door and warned them in advance.

"I think she’s..." Franklin gestured at his head, "got something going on up here. Something’s off."

Isaac pushed open the door and went in with Natalie.

Though it hadn’t been long, Natalie almost didn’t recognize Helen Cross.

She’d gotten even thinner, practically skin and bones.

Just like Franklin said, her mental state seemed off.

As soon as she heard them come in, she hid behind the curtains, muttering incoherently—nobody could tell what she was saying.

Natalie and Isaac exchanged a look and started to approach, but Isaac held her back, "Careful."

She nodded and walked to the curtains, speaking softly, "Lana, do you still remember me?"

After a long while, Helen finally peeked out.

She stared at Natalie for a long time. It seemed she recognized her—her eyes suddenly widened.

Natalie reached out her hand to her.

Helen hesitated for ages, then finally took her hand and let Natalie guide her out from behind the curtain.

"Lana, you once told me you thought something was wrong with my grandfather’s death—that someone hurt him. Who was it that hurt him?"

At these words, Helen suddenly seemed triggered.

"I don’t know! I was making things up! I don’t know anything! Nothing!"

She screamed, clutching her ears, running wildly around the room.

Natalie was startled by her, and Isaac immediately pulled her into his arms.

Isaac said quietly, "Let’s go out first."

Seeing Helen like this, Natalie knew she probably wouldn’t get any answers today and could only nod.

They stepped outside.

Franklin Finch came over. "How was it?"

Isaac shook his head.

Franklin curled his lip. "Told you, her brain’s messed up."

Isaac glanced at Natalie, then said to Franklin, "Get a doctor to see her. She’ll stay here for now—make sure someone looks after her. If anything happens, I’ll hold you responsible."

"Tsk. That’s your attitude when you want a favor? Isaac, you..."

Before Franklin could finish, Isaac had already left with Natalie.

Leaving Franklin behind, sulking, face all screwed up.

——

Back home.

Isaac called Franklin Finch again.

When he returned, he saw Natalie spacing out on the bed.

He ran a bath for her and called her in to soak for a while.

Natalie obediently got up and walked toward the bathroom. He followed, but she stopped him at the door.

"What do you want?"

"Together?"

"No."

She refused outright and shut the door in his face.

Isaac sighed and went to shower in the other bathroom.

After both had showered, they lay together in the clean, cool sheets.

The bed was soft and comfortable, but neither of them was sleepy.

Natalie kept thinking about Helen Cross.

Suddenly, she felt something pressed against her belly.

Startled, she looked down to see Isaac.

"You, what are you doing?"

"Talking to the baby."

Apparently, he still wasn’t tired of this previous "prenatal education" game.

Natalie gently pushed him, frowning. "Stop messing around."

"I’m not. I’m just chatting with my daughter."

And then he actually started mumbling endlessly to her stomach.

"Sweetheart, Daddy’s been talking for ages—why no response?"

He said it, and even gently tapped Natalie’s belly.

Natalie rolled her eyes, blurting out, "Your daughter’s asleep!"

Isaac: "..."

A few seconds later,

He started chuckling.

Natalie pushed him away and turned her back to him, leaving him with a cold, indifferent silhouette.

Seeing she was mad, Isaac quickly forced down his laughter, hugged her from behind, and pressed his lips to her ear. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Since our daughter’s asleep, her mom should sleep too."

Natalie closed her eyes as if she’d really fallen asleep.

But when she heard his steady breathing behind her, she suddenly opened her eyes.

In the darkness, they were cool and clear.

But the way she stroked her lower belly was gentle.

——

Natalie found Nina Abbott and asked for a favor.

After hearing her out, Nina was stunned.

"I don’t know if this will trouble you."

"What are you saying!" Nina frowned. "Who cares about trouble? What are we? We’re best friends! I just—"

Nina licked her lips. "Nat, have you really thought this through? This isn’t a small matter."

"Yes, I’ve decided." Natalie didn’t hesitate at all, as if it was just an ordinary choice.

Nina figured there must be things she didn’t know, but for now, she just chose to help Natalie unconditionally and didn’t ask more.

That night, upon returning home,

Natalie told Isaac she’d be away for a few days.

"Where to?"

"Going with Nina. She broke up with someone—needs some healing."

"She broke up? For real? With your brother? And then he dumped her?"

Natalie packed her things quietly. "It might be a bit inconvenient, so if you need anything, just message me. Don’t video call."

Isaac was a little unhappy and went up to hug her.

"So just because she’s heartbroken, she gets to hog you?"

"She’s my friend." Natalie shook him off and zipped her suitcase.

The next day, Natalie left.

She told Isaac she and Nina were going to Glanville, and told him not to suddenly drop by, since she wanted to focus on being there for Nina.