When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 489

Chapter 489 The Secret Passage

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Natalie paused for a moment, then continued, “If that’s the case, it’s only a matter of time before they find us. I don’t even know if we’re already being watched. Since Yvonne managed to get the disk, we should look at it now. If Dad comes back later, he can see it too. But if something happens to it in the meantime, at least we’ll know what it contained.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Just then, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed from outside.

Flynn’s expression stiffened instantly, and Natalie’s hand clamped tightly around Ruby’s and Yvonne’s, her palms slick with sweat.

“They can’t be here already, can they?” Yvonne whispered.

Natalie heard her and swallowed hard. “I don’t know. We came face–to–face with that man earlier—it’s only natural he’d remember our faces. And the Stone residence isn’t exactly hard to find. If he’s really after this disk, we might not escape so easily.”

Her voice was calm, but there was unease beneath it.

Ruby, though frightened, suddenly felt a burst of courage with Natalie beside her. “It’s all right, Natalie. If it’s really them, you and your brother should leave first. There’s a tunnel under the house–it leads straight outside.”

Natalie blinked in surprise. “Mom, are you serious?”

“It’s true. When your father built this villa, he made sure to include a secret passage. I asked him about it back then, but he never told me why. Now that I know what happened with your brother, I think I finally understand his reason.”

Ruby still resented Waylon for keeping things from her, but right now, with her children in danger, she couldn’t afford to bring it up.

Natalie thought of Moses’s hidden identity and instantly understood why Waylon had built the tunnel in the first place.

“Mom, you should go first. Flynn and I will stay here.”

Ruby’s eyes reddened. “No. I lost you for more than twenty years because of my carelessness. Now that I finally have you back, how could I stand by and let you face danger again? Twenty years ago, I failed as a mother. I won’t fail again. You’re the most important person in my life, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. If they want to get to you, they’ll have to go through me first.”

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10:45 Sun, Oct 19

Chapter 489 The Secret Passage

There was steel in her eyes.

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Natalie’s throat tightened. She had spent most of her life yearning for family, and now, to be so fiercely protected–it felt unreal. The love she’d found in Ruby and the rest of the Stone family wrapped around her like honey, warm and overwhelming.

Seeing the two women’s faces, Flynn straightened his shoulders. As the only man in the house, he said quietly, “You all stay here. I’ll go check. If anything’s wrong, I’ll make a cat’s call. When you hear it, you run.”

Without waiting for a reply, he started toward the door.

Yvonne stood up too. “I’m going with you. I may be hurt, but I can still fight if I have to.”

Natalie immediately grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere! What, you think you’re a superhero now? You’ve lost so much blood your legs can barely hold you. Sit down before you collapse.”

Then she turned sharply toward Flynn. “And you! What are you thinking? You know it’s dangerous out there, and you still want to play the hero? Do you think that makes you noble? Because it doesn’t–it’s stupid! You both listen to me. Since there’s a tunnel, we’re using it. Staying alive is what matters most right now.”

Before either of them could argue, Natalie grabbed them both and started pulling them toward the inner corridor.

Ruby couldn’t help smiling as she followed. Her daughter was fierce, commanding, and fearless–exactly how she should be.

Flynn, meanwhile, was stunned. It was the first time Natalie had ever scolded him, the first time she’d physically dragged him along to protect him. Warmth spread through his chest, his eyes stinging faintly. In his heart, he swore that if danger came, he’d shield his mother and sister at any cost.

They were just about to find the entrance to the secret passage when a voice echoed from the doorway.

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