Chapter 4

"Yesterday my mother…" Natalie began, trying to defend herself. She had lived with Sabrina since she was a child. However, ten years ago, she suddenly developed a serious mental illness and had been living in a sanatorium ever since. Yesterday, the sanatorium called unexpectedly, saying that Sabrina had run out and gotten hurt. Natalie had only left the villa after leaving the children in Pamela's care. "No matter what excuse you come up with, it won't make up for your negligence," Imogen cut her off again. "Mr. Rowan, I came to help Ms. Chapman carry some daily supplies…" Pamela emerged from the elevator at that moment, hurrying over. She froze when she saw Natalie and asked in shock, "Mrs. Payne, why are you here too?" "Pamela, where were you yesterday? Didn't I ask you to watch the kids?" Natalie asked. "I asked you for a half-day off a week ago, saying that yesterday was my grandson's birthday, and you approved it," Pamela explained. She had left after lunch yesterday, while Natalie had gone out before Pamela did. "When did you tell me that?" Natalie asked. She had no memory of it at all. "That morning, when you were playing with Mr. Roger and Ms. Sarah," Pamela replied, casting a glance at Roger. "Roger, is that true?" Rowan asked Roger. Roger looked at Imogen first before nodding. "Yes, that's right." Natalie felt like crying, but the tears wouldn't come. "Roger, kids shouldn't lie." "I'm not lying," Roger insisted. "That day, Pamela really did ask you for a half-day off." "What else do you have to argue about?" Rowan snapped. "Even Roger remembers, but you've completely forgotten. What have you been doing all day? If you really don't want to take care of Sarah, I'll send her back to the Payne residence and have my mother raise her herself." "No." Natalie took a deep breath and said, "I will take care of Sarah." With both Rowan and Roger blaming her, Natalie's heart went cold. Since she was going to divorce anyway, fighting for Sarah's custody was her real priority. … When Rowan went to the hospital garage to get the car, Imogen slipped the gold bracelet off her wrist and handed it to Pamela. "Thank you, Ms. Chapman," Pamela said, delighted. "You're welcome. You deserve it," Imogen replied, patting her hand. "Ms. Chapman, does lying make my nose grow?" Roger asked, a little scared. Imogen crouched down and gently comforted him. "Natalie was the one at fault today. She made your sister sick, so she should be punished." "If only you could be our mom," Roger said, pouting. Then added, "Whenever Natalie goes out with us, she dresses so old-fashioned. I'm embarrassed to tell people she's my mom. I don't even know why Daddy married her." Imogen pinched Roger's nose and smiled. "As long as you behave, after your parents divorce, your dad will marry me, and then I'll be your mom." "Will they really divorce?" Roger asked, his eyes full of hope. "Of course," Imogen said with a smile. "Your dad and Natalie were only ever in a contract marriage. Even if she refuses, there's nothing she can do. Once they divorce, you can tell your dad you want him to marry me and make me your mom, okay?" "Okay!" Roger clapped his hands in excitement. "Daddy likes you so much, he'll definitely marry you!" "But this has to stay a secret between us for now. Don't tell anyone, understand?" "Got it." … Later that day, Natalie got another call from the sanatorium. Sabrina had fractured her leg and needed surgery, and she had to find the money immediately. She hadn't even paid this month's treatment fees yet, and now such a huge expense was completely beyond her means. "Mommy, did you cry?" Sarah asked in her small, soft voice, noticing Natalie's reddened eyes. "No." Natalie blinked several times, forcing the tears back. "The wind was so strong outside… Some dust must have blown in through the window and gotten into my eyes." Sarah knew this wasn't true. She was smart and could tell at a glance that Natalie had been crying. "Mommy, no matter what happens, I'll always stay by your side," Sarah said through her own tears, trying to comfort her. Natalie's heart ached as she pulled Sarah into her arms, and the tears she had been holding back finally fell. "Okay… I won't leave you either." … When Rowan returned to the villa and saw the mess in the house, he immediately called Natalie, insisting she come back and clean it. The night before, Natalie had been too worried about Sarah's condition to think about anything else. She had carried her to the bathroom to wash her, helped her change clothes, and left water stains all over the bedroom. There had simply been no time to clean up. Rowan was such a germophobe that he certainly wouldn't tolerate any mess. Coincidentally, Natalie also needed to go back and talk to him about the divorce. Sarah couldn't be left alone, and Natalie had to return home. She had no choice but to discuss it with the doctor and take Sarah home temporarily to recover. If anything urgent came up, she would bring her daughter back to the hospital immediately. After Natalie carried Sarah back to the villa, she didn't see Rowan or Roger, and Pamela was cleaning the living room. Pamela could only take care of the downstairs areas, since she was usually not allowed into the upstairs bedrooms or Rowan's study. "Pamela, where is the white BMW in the garage?" Natalie asked. "A few days ago, Mr. Payne had someone drive it away and give it to Ms. Chapman," Pamela replied. "He said she had just returned from abroad and needed a car, and that you didn't need it anyway." Just because she didn't use it, Rowan could hand the car he had gifted her straight to Imogen. It seemed like anything of hers that Imogen wanted, Rowan would give without a second thought. That evening, Natalie prepared dinner as usual, but this time she didn't wait for Rowan and Roger to come home to eat together. Sarah sat on a chair in the dining room while Natalie carefully fed her chicken soup. "Mrs. Payne, Mr. Rowan and Mr. Roger aren't home yet. Why are you eating first?" Pamela asked as she walked into the dining room. In the past, Natalie and Sarah always waited for Rowan and Roger to return before eating together, unless Rowan had specifically called to say they wouldn't be dining at home. Natalie gently blew on a spoonful of chicken soup before feeding it to Sarah. She replied calmly, "Sarah is hungry. Is she not allowed to eat?"