The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

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Samuel kept talking on the phone, but the more Sierra listened, the worse her

expression became. She didn't interrupt and just silently let Samuel continue.

"Marcus and I have known each other since we were kids. We were friends. Just

because I've been abroad all these years and haven't kept in touch with him, does

that give him the right to have his bodyguard beat me up?

"Is he doing this just because he's the heir of the Holden family? Just because

he's the richest man in the world, he thinks he can do whatever he wants?

"Cee, I'm in the hospital right now, alone and feeling terrible. Can you come keep

me company?"

"Sorry," Sierra finally answered. "Samuel, I think you have a serious problem with

how you see things. I need some time alone to think. You should take some time

to reflect too.

"I disagree with what you're saying. When we were abroad, you told me you didn't

want anything from the Sinclair family. When Mr. Holden reached out and told you

about my biological parents, you said we were returning home to reconnect with

our family, not to fight Sophia.

"Do you really not know the real reason we had to leave the country when we

were kids?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "Most importantly, I can't accept the

fact that you're using the pain Sophia went through to attack her. You're her

biological brother. If even you think this way, how is she supposed to go on?

"Samuel, I didn't want to say this. You're my husband, and I should stand by you,

but Sophia is my friend. I still remember when Mom first brought me back to the

Sinclair residence, it was Sophia who took me to her room, ran a bath for me, and

gave me her new clothes to wear.

"It was Sophia who held my hand that night, let me sleep next to her, and told me

that from that day on, I had a mom, too.

"When something happened to her, I was devastated. I wished I could kill the

person who hurt her. But as her brother, how could you say something like this?

"Now I finally understand why Mom and Sophia won't accept you returning to the

Sinclair residence. It's because you don't deserve it."

After saying that, Sierra hung up the phone. As soon as the call ended, her tears

fell.

Sophia was such a good person. Did she choose to go through everything she

suffered? Of course not.

Sierra regretted not apologizing to Elijah. Perhaps it was a good thing that Elijah

had broken Samuel's leg.

Samuel was beyond saving.

But... should she divorce him over this?

Sierra felt lost. Her whole life had been intertwined with Samuel's. But she would

never forget how Sophia had treated her with kindness, warmth, and joy when

she first arrived at the Sinclair residence.

Sophia had even said that she would treat Sierra like a younger sister since she

was older, and that the day Sierra was brought back by Samantha was her new

birthday.

From the moment she entered the Sinclair residence, Sierra had been given a

new life.

Now, on one side was her husband, on the other was someone she considered a

sister. Her husband was also her sister's biological brother.

By all logic, they should be the closest of family. But now, things had fallen apart.

Sierra sat in a daze for a while before her phone rang again. It was Samuel calling

back.

Annoyed, she simply hung up and blocked his number.

Taking a deep breath, she called Sophia. Sierra hadn't seen her since returning to

Dithoria State.

Back at the beach, when she ran over to Samuel, Sophia had already left.

The call connected, but Sophia took a long time to answer. "Hello, Sierra."

"Sophia, I'm sorry." Sierra's first words were an apology. "I scolded Samuel for

what he said. I'm apologizing to you on his behalf."

"Oh." Sophia's tone was indifferent. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm hanging

up."

"Sophia, let's meet. Since I got back, I haven't had time to see you and Mom. All

these years while I was abroad, I really missed you both."

Her voice grew choked. "I'm sorry you had to stay here alone all these years. It

must have been hard."

"Forget it." Sophia's voice turned

even colder. There's no need for us

to meet. My mom doesn't want to

see you or Samuel. And since you

and Samuel are two different people,

you can't apologize on his behalf.

Goodbye."

"Sophia, come pick one as your bridesmaid dress."

Sierra heard another voice in the background. It was Natalie.

"Coming!"

Before Sierra could say anything else, Sophia hung up.

Natalie was asking Sophia to choose a bridesmaid dress. Was Sophia going to be

Natalie's bridesmaid?

At Nouvelle Zara Bridal Boutique, Natalie was pulling Sophia along to pick out a

bridesmaid dress.

Sophia glanced around and felt overwhelmed. There were so many beautiful

dresses. Every single one of them was breathtaking.

"Nat, are you sure you want me as your bridesmaid?" she asked hesitantly while

browsing. "My past has been messy. I don't want to ruin your wedding."

Sophia loved every dress she saw, but she didn't dare to pick one.

"Nat, I think I should sit this one out. Your wedding with Marcus is the most

important event of your life. I don't want anything to taint it."

"I'm not worried, so why should you be?" Natalie held Sophia's hand tightly.

"Sophia, that's not the right way to think about this."

"I know you're looking out for me,

but I don't want to be selfish."

Sophia looked at Natalie with

gratitude. "Nat, thank you. You pulled

me out of hell. There's not much I

can do for you in return."

"The fact that you care means the world to me."

Sophia hugged Natalie. "Just throw your bouquet to me, okay? I'll sit being your

bridesmaid out."

"Sophia, you really don't have to be

afraid." Natalie sighed. "You didn't do

anything wrong. You can't let what

others did to you trap you in

self-doubt forever.

"We have to face things head-on. We have to break free. We have to shine. Whynoveldrama

punish ourselves for other people's mistakes?"

"I understand, Nat. It's not that I can't move on. I just don't want anything bad to

happen at your wedding."

Sophia laughed. "You care about me, and I care about you."

Natalie concurred. "We care about each other."

Sophia continued, "Please, just say it's alright. Okay?"

Sophia pouted and pleaded with Natalie, who could only sigh and agree. "Okay,

okay."

Sophia broke into a smile. "Have you decided on your bridesmaids yet?"

"Olivia." Natalie grinned. "She's a model, you know? I'm actually scared she'll

steal my thunder."

"She won't," Sophia reassured her, linking arms with Natalie. "And you're way

more beautiful than she is."

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