When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 You Might Forgive and Forget–But I Won’t

Chapter 5 You Might Forgive and Forget–But I Won’t

“Let me go! What you’re doing is illegal!”

Natalie thrashed against the guards, her wrists straining in their grip.

She raised her eyes to Jensen, her teeth clenched so tightly they audibly ground together.

“Jensen, can you really look me in the eye and say Sharon is truly Sunny?”

Her eyes were swollen, but still stunning, locked onto him with unwavering intensity.

And on her back–those brutal whip scars–stood as a loud, ugly slap across Jensen’s conscience.

His hands curled into tight fists.

He’d been the one to dress those wounds, nursing her day after day.

He once told her he would never let anyone hurt her again.

And yet…

Jensen instinctively took a step forward–but Sharon clung to his arm.

“Jensen, my stomach hurts…”

Her voice was soft, almost fragile, but to Jensen it was a bucket of ice water.

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Right. Sharon was terminally ill. What did it matter if he gave her this spotlight? Natalie still had her whole future ahead of her.

He forced down the guilt boiling in his chest and spoke clearly, coldly. “She’s my designer. I’d know. Sharon is Luke Corp’s chief designer, Sunny.”

Sharon beamed with pride.

And Natalie–just one tear slipped down her cheek.

Even after Jensen married Sharon behind her back…

Even after she’d resolved to let go…

She still wanted to protect the five years they’d shared.

But what a fool she was.

Jensen saw her cry, and something twisted deep in his chest.

For five years, no matter what she went through, Natalie had never cried.

But now…

He started forward again.

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7:29 pm PD

Chapter 5 You Might Forgive and Forget–But I Won’t

“Don’t just stand there!” Sharon snapped. “Strip her. Or do I have to do it myself? Jensen, right?”

She pouted, playing the pitiful wife.

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Jensen’s throat went dry. He looked at Natalie and forced his voice steady. “If you didn’t steal anything. you’ve got nothing to hide.”

Natalie let out a laugh.

She was still on the ground, body bent awkwardly, dress strap torn at the shoulder. Her scars were exposed. Her laughter–frayed, sharp, unsettling–cut through the murmurs of the erowd.

“Enough! Take her backstage and check her.”

Jensen couldn’t bear to look at her any longer.

Sharon wanted to say more but was silenced by the flicker of coldness in his eyes.

The guards stepped forward, ready to drag her away–but Natalie yanked herself free.

“No need! If Mr. Luke believes I must be searched, why hide backstage? Wouldn’t that look suspicious? Strip me, right? Fine–I’ll do it myself!”

And with that, she tore off her moon–white gown and flung it into the air.

Wearing only black underwear and matching undergarments, her pale skin glowed beneath the lights- but so did the vicious scars on her back and legs.

Gasps echoed around the room.

“Oh my god… what happened to her?”

Reporters, sensing a scandal, raised their cameras and snapped away.

But Natalie ignored the stares.

Staring straight at Jensen and Sharon, she spoke slowly, deliberately.

“This is everything. Nothing left but my underwear. If Mr. Luke and Ms. Summers still think I’m hiding something, feel free to come search me yourselves.”

Jensen’s expression darkened.

Those scars–he remembered them. The bloodied girl he’d found five years ago, half–dead at the foot of

the Summers estate.

He’d spent days dressing those wounds, coaxing her back to life. She never wore off–shoulder dresses. They’d never even been fully intimate–because of those very scars.

Now she was laying herself bare in front of the entire world.

And he felt… afraid.

Sharon’s brow furrowed when she saw the lash marks.

2/4

7:29 pm PSD.

Chapter 5 You Might Forgive and Forget–But I Won’t

What the hell was this woman trying to do?

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She jumped in quickly. “Natalie, you were kicked out of the Summers family because you were a tramp, remember? Dad and Mom couldn’t stand your behavior. And now you want to flaunt the proof of your indecency? You’re disgusting!”

“What? You mean those are from sleeping around?”

“She was what–seventeen, eighteen back then? Slutty even as a teen? No wonder her family tossed her

out.”

The crowd’s gaze turned sour–disgusted.

Sharon’s lips curled with triumph.

So what if she gave those beatings? There were no cameras in the basement. Her parents wouldn’t speak up. She owned the narrative now.

Even if Natalie denied it–who would believe her?

Jensen looked at Natalie, eyes wide.

“So that’s where the scars came from.”

If looks could kill, Natalie would’ve been torn to shreds under Jensen’s glare.

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