Grief, Betrayals, and a Core of Blaze
Natalie froze when she saw the caller ID. Her stomach dropped. That number— it was the Witch Doctor. Why the hell was he calling her? Their deal had ended five years ago. Without thinking, her hand slid to her side, right where the phantom ache of that stolen rib still lived under her skin. She instantly declined the call and forced her voice to stay even. “Spam. Probably some scammer." Jensen glanced over, nodded, buying her excuse without a second thought. Lately, foreign scam calls were all over the news. "Scam calls getting through now? That means your number's been leaked. I'll have my assistant get you a new one tomorrow." Before she could answer, his phone rang—with that ringtone.She knew immediately. Sharon. Jensen shot her a guilty look, rejected the call in a panic, and muttered, "That's my assistant about work. I'll, uh—take this in the living room." He didn't wait for her response. He bolted. Natalie's eyes drifted to her phone. It was still connected to the smart speaker in the living room—Alexa. Jensen thought it was just a Bluetooth speaker. He had no idea it had a built-in camera. Natalie had never used it to spy on him. But today, when Sharon called… something in her finally snapped. She had to know what he was like with Sharon when she wasn't around. She lowered the volume and opened the Alexa app. The screen lit up. There Jensen was, sitting at the bar with his phone in hand, staring out the window—completely unaware that the wind chime symbolizing their love was no longer hanging outside.His voice was soft. Gentle. "I'll be back soon." Sharon's sugary voice came through the mic loud and clear. "Jensen, you're the sweetest. Hey, the new Luke Corp jewelry line is launching tomorrow. Can I come? I heard it's the Devotion series by Sunny—perfect for our honeymoon vibe! You designed it, didn't you? You are Sunny, right?" Jensen blinked, caught off guard. "I'm not—" "Oh, stop. Don't lie to me. Back then, you stood out among the Luke heirs because of that Heart of the Ocean piece. No one knows who Sunny really is, but every time Luke Corp makes a breakthrough, Sunny drops something that matches perfectly. Who else would care that much about the company?" Natalie let out a cold, bitter laugh. Every piece she designed—every all-nighter, every cut finger, every sketch—had been a tribute to Jensen and his milestones. Jensen stayed silent. Sharon continued, soft and pitiful. "Jensen… my dream has always been to be a jewelry designer. But fate just won't give me the time. Since we're married now… could you let me borrow Sunny's identity? Just once? I want to know what it feels like to be admired like that." Natalie's hand tightened around her phone. Did Sharon even realize what she was asking? Jensen hesitated, glanced toward Natalie's room… then whispered, "Okay. Tomorrow, at the press conference, I'll tell the media you're Sunny." “Eee! Jensen, I love you!" Sharon's giggles bubbled through the speaker. And Natalie went ice-cold. He knowsI'm Sunny. He knows. Yet a few sweet words from Sharon, and he was ready to hand over everything—her years of blood and brilliance—without even asking her. So this was what favoritism looked like. Natalie couldn't bear another second. She shut off the Bluetooth connection, chest rising and falling sharply.If Jensen was going to hand her identity to Sharon— Fine. She'd take it back herself. She dialed the international number. Three rings. Then the Witch Doctor answered, voice flat and eerie. "Well, well. Look who found a backbone. Hung up on me earlier, did you? Want me to take Jensen's rib tonight instead?" Natalie bit her lip. "I don't care what you want in return. Just help me with one thing, and I'll agree to anything." A pause. Then a low, mocking laugh. "Didn't you swear you'd die for love five years ago? What changed?" "Cut the crap. Deal or not?" Her fingers dug into her phone. For five years, Jensen had been her family. Her anchor. Her only love. Now she had no one left— except the Witch Doctor. Even if the price was hell. “Deal.” She quickly laid out her request and hung up. Just then, Jensen came back into the room. “Natalie. You're not allowed at tomorrow's launch." "Why not?" She looked at the man she'd loved for five years, feeling something tear open inside her. Jensen avoided her gaze. "Sunny's identity has to stay hidden. Just stay home. After tomorrow, I'll give you whatever you want." And he walked away. Natalie's eyes burned. Her fists clenched so tight her nails broke skin, but she didn't even feel it. Five years—What a sick joke. Her phone chimed again. A message from the Witch Doctor. It was an official invitation to tomorrow's Luke Corp launch. Sharon wanted Sunny's glory? Let's see if she could handle it. Natalie didn't sleep at all that night. The next morning, she put on a pearl-white gown, styled her hair into soft waves, and headed to the venue. The first thing she saw was Sharon, plastered to Jensen's arm, wearing a radiant smile. And Jensen… looking at Sharon with warmth, tenderness—eyes that never once left her. You can't fake love. Not in your eyes. She had been so blind. Natalie gave a quiet, mocking smile. Then lifted her chin and walked in.Her beauty—cool, elegant, breathtaking—immediately drew attention. Jensen turned instinctively. The moment he saw her— His expression was shattered. He ripped his arm out of Sharon's grip, stormed toward Natalie, eyes bloodshot, and grabbed her wrist. "Who told you to come here?"
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