A Love to Die For (Nathaly) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

But in the next second, the man raised his finger and said loudly, “I’ll count to three. Apologize to the lady in front of you and promise never to pick apples from her garden without permission again. One, two-”

“I’m sorry…”

The little girl pursed her lips, looking at Nathaly with tearful eyes, her voice soft and timid..

“But I didn’t mean to. The apples looked so delicious. I was hungry…”

With that, Nathaly’s heart completely softened. She couldn’t help but raise her voice to comfort her.

“It’s alright. If you want to eat them, you can come pick apples anytime.”

The man who had seemed fierce just moments ago burst out laughing and waved his hands repeatedly.

“Don’t be fooled by her innocent look. She’s a bit overweight, and my mom and I have to keep her from eating snacks.”

As he spoke, he picked up the little girl and bounced her in his arms.

“Hmm, she’s a little lighter than yesterday. I won’t hold her sneaking apples against her today.”

He laughed, ruffling the girl’s golden hair, then looked up at Nathaly, his voice deep.

“I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Quinten, and I’m a local beach lifeguard. This is my sister Lina, she’s just five years old. We live next door. My mom is American and a famous chef at the biggest restaurant in town. You’re welcome to come over for a meal anytime. My mom is always saying she wants to meet more American friends.”

Nathaly hadn’t expected the serious-looking man to be so talkative, and she relaxed.

“My name is Claudia. I just in

Hoved

When he heard the name “Clau

today.”

Quinten’s eyes widened.

“Gary mentioned you. I heard you were injured in a car accident not long ago? Are you feeling better now?”

Nathaly nodded with a smile.

Quinten seemed about to say more, but a sharp whistle sounded in the distance.

His expression changed, and he quickly handed Lina to Nathaly.

“Someone’s drowning. Please look after her for a bit, I’ll be right back!”

With that, he left without looking back.

0.0 %

06:59

Nathaly was left alone with the soft, cuddly Lina, staring at each other wide-eyed.

A few seconds later, Nathaly smiled and asked Lina, who was blinking her big eyes.

“Sweetie, would you like to hear me read a fairy tale?”

As evening fell, Nathaly had just finished building the last block with Lina when the doorbell rang.

This time, it was a middle-aged woman, estimated to be around forty years old.

She had a kind face and a calm smile.

“You must be Claudia? Quinten mentioned you. I’m his and Lina’s mother, Eleanor Vazquez.”

Before she could finish, Lina shot out of the study like a cannonball and threw herself into her arms, sweetly calling, “Mommy!”

Eleanor didn’t leave, looking at Nathaly with grateful eyes.

“Thank you for helping look after Lina this afternoon. She has a lot of energy. If it’s convenient, may I invite you to join us for dinner at our house?”

Only then did Nathaly realize she was already a bit hungry, and it seemed a little late to start cooking now.

The woman before her was gentle, just like her late mother.

With that thought, she nodded almost involuntarily.

At dinner that night, Lina animatedly recounted the fairy tale she had heard that afternoon, making her brother Quin- ten and mother Eleanor laugh heartily.

Nathaly didn’t ask why, despite being a family, they looked different and had different surnames.

Everyone has their own little secrets. She was no exception.

She had thought that coming to a foreign country would mean a difficult time.

But now it seemed…

She swallowed the last bite of smooth, sweet cheesecake.

Warmth spread in Nathaly’s chest.

Everything was actually pretty good.

54.7 %

06:59

Outside the auction house.