Chapter 239

NATALIE’S POV Hot tears poured down my face. My chest heaved as I breathed heavily. It was as if all the air in the world wasn’t enough. My hands shook. My whole body trembled with a pain I couldn’t describe. How dare he? How dare he claim to love me now? After leaving me to rot? After all those nights I cried myself to sleep, begging for someone — anyone — to care. Where was he when I went through years of abuse? Both physically and mentally? I stumbled down the hall. I had one hand pressed against the wall to steady myself, until my knees buckled. The dizziness came fast. It was sudden and overwhelming. My vision swirled and I let out a strangled sob. “Natalie!” a voice called. It was Oliveria. Her voice was the one thread pulling me back. She was beside me in seconds. Her hands steadied me. Her scent comforted me immediately and I was grateful for it. I took in a deep breath to steady myself. “I’m fine,” I whispered, but my body betrayed me. I was weak and trembling. “No, you’re not