Chapter 623 I'm So Tired
"Change the subject," Oliver said firmly.
This was not an attempt to push her toward unnecessary self-reflection or to irritate himself. He did not think she was a burden, and even if she was a burden, she was the type of burden he would willingly carry any day.
'A new topic?'
Natalie considered what they might discuss. Vulnerability and dependence can lower one's defenses, leading occasionally to the revelation of secrets that had been closely guarded for a long time.
"Oliver, I sometimes feel inferior when I’m around you," she admitted, sharing a truth that had been deeply buried within her heart.
"Inferior? You have no reason to feel inferior." Oliver's expression showed concern, but this time he did not interrupt. Instead, he encouraged her to continue sharing her thoughts.
"You’re intelligent, strong, and well-regarded. Many people admire you; a lot of them would be delighted to marry you or have their daughter marry you. You seem almost too perfect, and at times, that makes me feel... feel as if I’m not deserving of you," Natalie rambled on, unable to look him in the eyes.
Her voice was soft, easily drowned out by the sound of the rain.
"Oliver, did you know? I have always considered myself confident. Never once did I feel insecure about my origins. We don’t have the choice in our birth, our parents, or our family background – It’s not my fault I was born out of wedlock or that my origins are unclear. I shouldn’t have to face the consequences for these circumstances," Natalie continued, "But... but when I hear people say, 'Oliver is so accomplished and noble, and yet he married a woman of uncertain birth', it hurts."
After a beat, Natalie said again, "You could've married a woman of high birth. I heard that Lilian's mother wanted to introduce you to the only daughter of a noble family—if she had become your wife, people would have been even more envious of you for having such a formidable and strong partner."
Oliver took a moment to reflect on her words, then asked, "Did you... leave me for these reasons as well?"
"Can you imagine it? Mrs. Windsor is not only of uncertain origin, but she’s also a hopeless cripple…” Natalie said quietly, her voice barely audible and her energy depleted.
Oliver was heartbroken. Were these the concerns she had kept to herself, the worries she had not voiced?
"Natalie, you didn’t leave because you stopped loving me, right?" His voice was uncertain; he was not truly asking, but rather speaking to himself, seeking confirmation.
Natalie used her free hand to hug Oliver's neck and rested her head on his shoulder before she whispered, “Of course, it’s not that.”
In that moment, Oliver felt a sense of relief. "Honey, it seems you have some misunderstandings about me and about yourself as well."
Natalie uttered a curious, "Hmm?"
"I’m intelligent, and so are you. It’s rare to find a woman who is fluent in several languages, adept at cooking, knowledgeable in ancient philosophies, and skilled in various arts."
Oliver paused, his thoughts drifting to fond memories.
"Ah, and you’re exceptionally good at poker too. You couldn’t have won millions in chips from Barrett and others in just a few hours otherwise."
"You’re teasing me," Natalie responded, her mind still foggy but sharp enough to grasp Oliver's point.
"Natalie, many people may wish to marry me, but there is only one person I wish to marry; there’s only one person I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Natalie's grip tightened gently, her eyes opening to look at Oliver's profile through the rain.
"And that’s you."
Oliver turned. His cheek, wet from the rain, brushed against Natalie's.
"No matter their status, they’re just daydreaming. However, whether I’m a daydream to you, that’s for you to decide.”
He exposed his vulnerability, as if a single word from her could determine his future.
"So, am I a daydream?" he asked.
Natalie thought, 'I already married you, thinking we were divorced when we weren’t. Everything is a huge misunderstanding. What else can I say?'
"Speak up, Natalie," Oliver pressed, his tone indicating the importance of her response to what seemed a trivial question.
"So, do you want to pursue me, propose to me, and marry me again?" Natalie muttered.
Oliver took her words seriously. “That’s not out of the question…”
To the outside world, they were divorced. He saw an opportunity to offer her the romance she had missed out on before, including a formal wedding ceremony.
"What do you mean by 'it's not out of the question'?" Natalie asked, her confusion apparent.
Oliver chose not to respond directly, instead shifting the conversation. He recalled her earlier concerns, addressing them systematically: "Natalie, I believe that a prestigious background is important. I don’t need such a thing. Moreover, a prominent family background isn’t always advantageous. Often, it can become a limitation and an obstacle.”
Natalie grasped the deeper meaning behind his words without needing further explanation.
Being born into a prominent family often meant being obligated to consider one’s family's interests, as was the case with the Watsons, who appeared intent on exploiting Oliver through Natalie. And as for the other families who looked upon the Windsor Group and RK Corporation with envy? The larger the family, the more likely it was to house a variety of eccentric personalities – it resembled a vast forest filled with every conceivable type of bird.
Viewed from another perspective, being born into such a family not only gave one honor, but it also came with the heavy weight of familial duties.
For someone as kind as Natalie, turning away from her family's expectations was immensely challenging.
"Natalie," Oliver called again when she did not immediately reply.
Sensing something was amiss, he carefully lowered her from his back.
Natalie's eyes were closed, her cheeks bore an unhealthy flush, and her lips were devoid of color.
Oliver detected her high fever.
"Natalie! Wake up!" he cried out, holding her close.
It felt like an eternity before she finally opened her eyes.
Every movement seemed laborious. As if driven by Oliver's voice, she said, "Oliver, I feel so tired."
"Don't fall asleep!" Oliver commanded, his expression one of deep concern.
But his efforts were in vain.
"Your face... You look very unwell," Natalie said weakly, looking up at the man who held her.
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