When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131 The Portrait of Resemblance

Chapter 131 The Portrait of Resemblance

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The ward was silent, the only sound the soft scratch of Natalie’s pencil moving across paper. Ruby couldn’t take her eyes off her, lips curved with a faint smile, her gaze filled with nothing else, as though Natalie were her entire world.

Waylon and Flynn watched with damp eyes. In more than twenty years, it was the first time they had seen Ruby smile so happily. For two grown men, the sight was almost unbearable.

Baron, no longer in his Witch Doctor disguise, stood quietly at the doorway. His chest tightened as he watched. If–just if–the Stone family really was Natalie’s family, wouldn’t that be something?

Natalie had no idea what the others were thinking. For her, inspiration had struck. Ruby was beautiful, her features refined despite the traces of age, and Natalie felt an urge to capture her exactly as she was in this moment. As she sketched, she realized Ruby truly did look a lot like her. No wonder she had mistaken her.

She was so absorbed that she didn’t even notice Flynn slip up behind her and pluck a few strands of her hair. He slipped out quickly, but when he spotted Baron at the door, he faltered, embarrassed. “Mr. Gunn, I…”

“Go ahead. I want to know too–whether she has any connection to your family. Natalie was switched at birth, but the people who raised her aren’t her biological parents. I want to know if her real parents are you.”

Flynn froze. “Ms. Summers doesn’t know who her real parents are?”

“She doesn’t.”

Baron’s blunt reply left Flynn oddly hopeful. “Thank you, Mr. Gunn.” He hurried off toward the lab. Baron didn’t stop him.

Neither he nor Waylon wanted to break the quiet moment inside. Instead, they lingered and watched until Natalie finally set down her pencil.

She held up the portrait like a child showing a prize. “Look. What do you think?”

Ruby’s eyes reddened. “Your fundamentals are very strong.”

Natalie smiled. “When I was little, nothing made me happier than losing myself in painting.”

Her soft expression was full of warmth. Ruby reached out and stroked the paper, flickering in her eyes.

hesitation

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19:15 Wed, Sep 24

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Chapter 131 The Portrait of Resemblance

“What is it?” Natalie asked gently.

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Ruby’s voice was cautious. “It’s beautiful. But maybe here–if the strokes were a little lighter- it would be even better. Don’t be upset with me, I’m just rambling.”

Natalie looked at the spot Ruby pointed out and suddenly felt clarity. “You’re right. That’s exactly what it needed. I could even use this touch for my Cocoon to Butterfly series.” Inspiration surged in her heart.

Seeing that she could help, Ruby lit up with delight, her smile the brightest it had been in decades. Soon the two of them were deep in discussion about painting techniques, Ruby animated and alive, no longer resembling a patient at all.

At the doorway, Yvonne whispered irritably, “Brother, when are we taking Natalie away?”

“Not yet. She’s happy. For so long, her life has been nothing but Jensen. She’s lived like a desert with nothing in it. Now she’s finally found someone who shares her passion. This is better than her locking herself away.”

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