Chapter 10

Natalie listened to Ethan’s words, and all she could do was laugh at how ridiculous it was. A lesson? Learn her lesson? What exactly had she done wrong? What lesson was she supposed to learn? Was it wrong to trust in his knight-in-shining-armor act, wrong to fall for him, wrong to marry him—or was her biggest mistake not seeing his true face sooner? But she said nothing. She simply closed her eyes and refused to look at him again. Ethan watched her, seeing how unreachable and closed off she was. A hint of frustration crossed his face, but in the end, he didn’t say another word. Duty called, so he got up and left. After that, Natalie stayed in the hospital alone, quietly recovering from her wounds. Sometimes, Vivian would send a quick text, often with pictures of her and Ethan out enjoying the day. Sunlight. Beaches. Even though Ethan’s face showed little emotion, his posture seemed more relaxed standing next to Vivian. Every line of Vivian’s post reeked of that sickly-sweet, fake innocence: [Ethan said I was still shaken, so he’s taking me to the Maldives for some peace and quiet. Natalie, take care and get well soon. Don’t worry about us.] Natalie looked at those photos, feeling utterly calm. She didn’t reply. Not a single word. She just switched off her phone, deciding that out of sight was out of mind. Days passed, each as uneventful as the last. Until one day, she finally got a call from her father. “The divorce is finalized. Legally, you and Ethan Fletcher are no longer connected in any way. “I’ll notify the Fletcher family as well. From now on, you’re free. Go wherever you want, just remember—don’t ever come back to South City.” Freedom… Natalie held her phone, listening to that word, her heart trembling just a little. After hanging up, she walked over to the window. Today, it seemed there was some kind of event at the Fletcher estate. Everyone was out. She looked at that grand mansion, so ornate yet so much like a giant cage, and a glint of determination flashed in her eyes. Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number. “Hello, I’d like to buy ten tons of explosives.” After making arrangements, she changed into the simplest clothes she owned. No luggage—just her passport. She hailed a cab and went straight to the airport. In the departure hall, she watched planes taking off and landing, then glanced at her phone. On the screen was the live security feed from the Fletcher mansion. She stared at the house where she’d spent three suffocating, painful years. Her lips curved into a cold, reckless smile. She pressed a button. At that exact moment, on the far side of the city, a muffled boom echoed from the direction of the Fletcher estate. A towering fireball and thick smoke burst into the sky, painting half the night red. The massive explosion was so loud, you could almost hear it from the airport. Chaos swept through the terminal. People stared in terror toward the explosion. Natalie watched as the security feed on her phone turned to static. Her face remained expressionless. She stood up, walked to a trash can, and tossed the specially programmed phone inside without hesitation. Then she turned around, ticket and passport in hand, and boarded the next flight far, far away. She never looked back. The plane shot through the clouds. Below, South City grew smaller and smaller. Natalie leaned against the window, gazing at the white clouds and endless blue sky. She took a deep breath. From now on, the sky was vast, the sea boundless—Natalie Bennett would only be herself. She would be the one thing no one could ever contain: a bird soaring free.