The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

In his current condition, Charles required treatment at The Herbalist's Sanctuary. Federrick was the best person to both guide him and heal him.

Natalie was just a young lady. She was skilled in surgery and treatment, but when it came to the complex relationships among elders, she couldn't help out much.

If Charles himself couldn't overcome this hurdle in his heart, no amount of treatment or care could help him.

"Nattie, it's no use. I'm not going." Charles smiled bitterly. He wanted to show Natalie and Marcus a smile, but his smile looked uglier than when he cried.

"Forget it. I'll stop smiling. I don't want to scare you two." Charles paused and continued, "Marcus, Nattie, listen to me.

"I have raised Marcus since he was born. He knows nothing about the Jenkins family. He's never even met his parents. Now that he finally reunited with his mother, he had to witness her in such agony.

Cassie isn't a good person. As for Wesley, I no longer can control him. I once thought that Vivian and I were a perfect couple. I was proud of how I treated her and my children.

"However, Yvette was right about my mistakes. Back then, I sensed something was off, but I chose to trust my wife. Because of that, I didn't get to save anyone from the fire that engulfed the Jenkins residence.

"But that doesn't justify Yvette's decision to take revenge on the younger generation."

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face. "Before this, I told Marcus that when I die, I want to be buried alongside Vivian. But now, I don't want that anymore. Marcus, my heart hurts!"

As Charles spoke, he cried uncontrollably. "It hurts... It really hurts."

"Grandpa Charles, let me have a look at you," Natalie said as she stepped forward to examine Charles, but he stopped her.

"Nattie, you're a good child. The Walkers were dragged into this because of us. Worse still, you were taken away by the Langleys when you were just a baby.noveldrama

"You had to suffer so many years of abuse. You even had so much blood taken from you. The Holden family owes you.

Charles turned to Marcus. "Marcus, promise me. No matter what, you must never let Nattie down. You mustn't hurt her or bully her. Cherish her, love her, and protect her. No matter what she does, support her fully."

"Grandpa, I don't need to promise you that. I'll do that no matter what." Marcus held Charles' hands tightly. "Grandpa, you promised me that you'd watch me get married and have children. You even said you'll raise them for me."

"Marcus, I won't be able to wait that long." Charles' tears fell relentlessly. "I would like to. That was my dream, but I won't make it. I don't want to live anymore. It hurts. It hurts here."

Charles pointed to his heart. The pain was unbearable, but it wasn't physical. Instead, it was psychological.

"Physical illnesses can be treated, but it's not the same for the heart. Marcus, don't be sad. Don't cry. You promised me, right? I'll just be going ahead to set up Holden Corporation for you in the afterlife. When your time comes, you'll inherit it from me."

Charles chuckled and added, "That way, you'll still be rich in the afterlife."

"Grandpa..." Marcus' eyes reddened. He felt as if his throat was stuffed with cotton, making it impossible to speak.

"Marcus, stop crying. You'll cry away all your luck." Charles reached out and knocked Marcus on the head. "Aren't you afraid your girlfriend's going to laugh at you for crying so miserably?"

Hearing this, Natalie's tears began to well up. She turned her head away, suppressing the sadness inside her.

On the way to the hospital, she had already guessed that Charles didn't want to live anymore. But if he really passed away, she couldn't imagine the pain Marcus would have to endure.

"Nattie, please be good to Marcus." Seeing that Natalie was looking away, he smiled and said, "I'm fine. Death isn't scary at all.

"What's truly frightening is being forgotten. Even when I'm gone, I know you two will always remember me. And that's enough.

"Nattie, once I'm down there, I'll teach Cindy a lesson for you. She's the one who had you switched at birth, making you suffer for many years'll make sure to beat her to to be a

death so she won't even geto

ghost."

"Grandpa Charles, please stop." Natalie sniffled. "I don't like this

topic. It isn't funny at all. We don't want to hear it. If you truly care about Marcus, then take care of yourself and live to see us get married."

"Nattie, Marcus, I'm sorry. This time, I can't keep my promise." Charles closed his eyes, tears rolling down his face. "It's so embarrassing for an old man like me to be crying in front of you young ones.

"Marcus, remember what I said. Don't bury me with your grandma. Just lay me alone at the other end of the Holden family cemetery.

"Or better yet, move her grave somewhere else. Since she never loved me and only wanted to be with that man, let her be. Once I'm gone, askvette where the Jenkins family buried him. Let her have her wish."

After he said that, it was as if all the strength drained from his body. He closed his eyes, letting the tears flow.

"Grandpa, let me bring you to your room."

Marcus lifted Charles into his arms. The man who had always been strong and

kind, who had loved him more than he had punished him, had suddenly become so fragile.

Marcus' heart ached. After carrying Charles into the bedroom, he summoned Sheldon.

"Sheldon, take good care of Grandpa."

"Mr. Holden, don't worry. I will."

After taking a short break and calming down to process everything, Sheldon finally returned to his usual demeanor. He finally realized just how serious Yvette's return was.

Marcus' gaze never left Charles, who kept his eyes shut. His worries only grew. After a long silence, he spoke in a hoarse voice. "Nat, let's talk outside."

"Alright."

With that, Natalie followed Marcus and walked out of Charles' bedroom.

They kept on walking, with Marcus leading the way. Finally, they stopped beneath the largest maple tree in Holden Residence.

"Nat, tell me, is Grandpa really not going to make it?" Marcus' voice was rough.

He was trying hard to suppress the pain, but his voice betrayed him.

Natalie didn't want to lie to him, so she remained silent.

Seeing that she didn't say a word, Marcus showed a bitter smile. "Nat, just tell me.

I can handle it."

Natalie took a deep breath and slowly said, "Yes. Grandpa Charles has lost the will to live. His heart is fine, but he's hurting.

"Psychological pain is worse than any illness and much harder to heal. Marcus, I warned you before. I told you to be prepared for this."