Natalie stood on the steps for what felt like a long time. The fireworks finally stopped, but within just a few seconds, the sky lit up again. This time, the fireworks formed her name in the air, along with a tiny, animated version of herself.
With each burst of color overhead, the patterns changed, yet one thing remained constant. Every firework spelled out a message from Marcus, each one a confession of love.
When the final message faded, only a short pause followed before the sky exploded once more. What came next was a full display of golden lights and silver sparkles, spreading across the sky like a river of stars.
This part lasted much longer. There were three acts in the entire fireworks show.
The first had been a dazzling burst of shapes and colors, large and breathtaking, blooming across the night sky with stunning brilliance.
The second had been Marcus' love letters to Natalie, each sentence paired with a matching scene. Together, they painted a vivid portrait of how they met, came to know each other, and eventually fell in love.
The third was a celebration meant for all of Dithoria to see. It was a public display that told the world of their joy.
By the time it all ended, Natalie was still rooted to the spot. She had no words.
Beside her, Olivia wiped her eyes. "That was so beautiful. So overwhelming. Do you have any idea how much something like this must have cost?"
She continued, "Come on. Let's go to the top of the mountain. There's more waiting for you."
Olivia's voice brought Natalie back to herself. She turned toward her. "So when you called and asked me to come hike Mount Ashridge with you, this was all part of the plan from the start, wasn't it?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. It was. When Marcus saw you sleeping in his office, he came to us and made all the arrangements."
Natalie murmured, "How did he even manage all this in such a short time?"
Back at the office, Marcus had shown no signs of preparing the show at all. He'd looked busy, tired, preoccupied with work. Not once had he hinted at anything like this.
She had believed him when he said he couldn't join her for dinner. She really thought he had too much to do.
It was then she realized everything had been prepared in advance. All they had been waiting for was for her to wake up.
No, not even that. She hadn't woken on her own. It was Olivia's call that roused her.
"Nat, are you mad at me?" Olivia asked carefully. She noticed Natalie hadn't spoken in a while, and her face wasn't showing much surprise either. A faint worry crept into her heart.
Natalie snapped out of her thoughts. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "No, Olivia, I'm not upset. I'm actually really happy. I didn't know about any of this. Marcus didn't say a word.
"I used to think I didn't care much about grand gestures, that surprises didn't move me. But I realized I was lying to myself."
Olivia sniffled, then rushed forward to hug her. "Don't say that about yourself, Nat. Come on. Let's go to the top."
"Do we have to climb?"
"No, of course not. Why climb when there's a cable car?"
With a clap of her hands, a trail of glowing lights lit up in the sky, and a sparkling pumpkin carriage rolled toward them, drawn by an invisible force and guided by a driver dressed exactly like a coachman from a fairytale.
"Your carriage awaits, Princess Natalie."
The pumpkin-shaped carriage sparkled, every inch gleaming with charm. It was the kind of thing any young woman would instantly fall in love with.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...
Finished till 538....Waiting for more...
This really hurts. I am confused if Yvette sent a msg saying old love to Charles through Charlene. Why isnt it in her confession. Or did she actually set vivian up into sleeping with that man? And later blackmailed vivian with it till vivian commited suicide? Did Yvetty yhinks Charles would marry her after vivians death but he remained loyal. Hence her anger?...
Hope Nat can cure Marcus' mom. Looking forward to new updates. Thank you...
When will other chapters be updated...
Every chapter gets sweeter..and oh! I'm sure Nat's new patient is Marcus' mom - though the illness is quite intriguing....anyway, looking forward for the next updates! Thank you...
What an ending to the chapter...nice one..hoping for more updates...thank you...
OMG, OMG, OMG, this is getting better and better. Nat and Marcus are getting married!!!!! Yehey! Please update more..after a big drama ot is really nice to have love and a little happy events in between. Pretty please, update more. Can't wait!! Thank you so much!...
Recent updates are so good. Natalie's and Marcus' love story is also progressing...so, so good and exciting. Please update more. Thank you...