The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 597

After Elijah finished speaking, he looked at Natalie cautiously. He had truly worried himself sick over Marcus' happiness.

Natalie took a moment to think carefully about what Elijah had said. After a while, she slowly nodded.

"Alright, I won't say a thing."

She realized Elijah had a point. She wasn't Marcus, so she couldn't fully understand what this meant to him. For him, it might be something joyful and deeply meaningful. She shouldn't impose her own perspective on someone else's choice.

Marcus wanted to give her a surprise. The moment she acted genuinely surprised, that reaction would probably be the most satisfying and happiest moment for him. All she needed to do was pretend she knew nothing and quietly wait for the surprise he had prepared.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said sincerely.

"Mrs. Holden, there's no need to thank me. If there's nothing else, I'll step out now." Elijah grinned.

Natalie nodded, and Elijah quietly left the office. The room returned to silence.

She didn't touch anything else on Marcus' desk. Instead, she walked into the lounge, slipped off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed.

The mattress shifted slightly under her weight, and Marcus immediately opened his eyes. Once he saw who it was, he let out a clear breath of relief. Then, without hesitation, he reached out and pulled Natalie into his arms.

"Nat, you came."

"I did. Did I wake you?" Her voice was soft.

"No, just surprised—pleasantly surprised," Marcus replied, kissing her cheek.

"For a second I thought I was dreaming. But I know this isn't a dream. You really came to keep me company." As he spoke, a faint smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Stay with me a little longer, alright?"

"Alright."

Natalie nestled into his arms and closed her eyes. Within minutes, she soon drifted off to sleep as well.

…

Several hours later, Natalie was woken by the sound of her phone ringing. Marcus was no longer beside her. She didn't know when he had gotten up, and he hadn't woken her either.

She sat up, picked up her phone, and answered the call. "Hello, Olivia? What's wrong?"

"Nat, Mason is off at training today and I'm bored out of my mind. Let's go hike up Mount Ashridge, please?"

Olivia's cheerful voice came through the line. "Come on, please? I'm begging you."

Natalie glanced at the time. "Let me call you back in a bit."

"Okay," Olivia replied quickly. Then she added, "But you have to come. Promise me, please?"

"Olivia, talk to me properly. Are you hiding something from me?" Natalie asked with a frown.

She could tell right away that something was off. As she threw off the blanket and stepped into her shoes, she kept the call going and stepped out of the rest room.

Inside the office, Marcus was already back at work, fully focused on the documents in front of him.

Hearing movement, he looked up. "You're awake."

Natalie nodded and said a few more words to Olivia before ending the call.

"Nat, I'm sorry. I still have a lot of work to finish today. So I won't be able to head home with you later." Marcus walked over and pulled her gently into his arms.

Since they had made things official, he had gotten used to holding and kissing her whenever he could. Being legally married only made it feel even more natural.

"That's alright. I'll go home on my own. But Marcus, I need you to promise me one thing," Natalie said.

"Anything. Just say it."

"No more staying up late. Lack of sleep is terrible for your health," she said as she lightly touched his eyes.

"I know," Marcus said, smiling. It felt so good to have his wife worry about him. "I'll come home earlier tonight. Are you staying at my place or your own?"

Natalie thought for a moment. "You won't be home for the next three days, right? I'll stay at mine."

"Alright. I'll ask Elijah to drive you."