When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 So You Really Want to Do This

Chapter 8 So You Really Want to Do This

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Natalie stared at Jensen’s strikingly handsome face–now laced with suppressed warnings–and for the first time, the filter of infatuation she’d wrapped around him for years shattered completely.

Only now did she realize that Jensen… really wasn’t all that.

All the pain, sacrifice, and desperate effort she poured out for him during his injury five years ago–she might as well have thrown it all to the dogs.

Her voice was hoarse, but her gaze never wavered.

“I’m not causing a scene, Mr. Luke. I am the real Sunny.”

Gasps rippled through the room.

“What? She’s Sunny?”

“But didn’t Mr. Luke say it was Sharon?”

Sharon’s hatred finally boiled over. She couldn’t hide it anymore.

She stormed out from behind Jensen and pointed directly at Natalie.

“Shut your damn mouth! Natalie, are you really that desperate? How dare you lie like this? Jensen is the only one who knows Sunny’s true identity. Do you seriously think he’d back you up?”

Jensen’s stare drilled into Natalie. A wave of unease swept through him.

She said it.

She actually said it–right here, in front of everyone.

Didn’t she understand what he was trying to tell her?

She was talented. With time, she could make a name for herself. Why was she insisting on snatching this title from Sharon right now?

His patience snapped. He strode forward, grabbed Natalie’s wrist, and hissed, “Come with me!”

“Let go!”

Once upon a time, Natalie would have done anything for Jensen to hold her like this in public. It would’ve meant everything. But now, all she felt was bitter disgust.

He wasn’t reaching for her. He was just trying to protect Sharon.

She struggled, but she wasn’t strong enough to break free.

Jensen tightened his grip and tried to drag her away.

That’s when the suited man stepped in.

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7:29 pm PS

Chapter 8 So You Really Want to Do This

His faded tattoo flashed as he moved.

“Mr. Luke, Ms. Summers just told you to let go. Shouldn’t a man behave like a gentleman?”

His hand locked around Jensen’s wrist with enough pressure to make bones groan.

Jensen winced. The pain was sharp and real–he had no choice but to let Natalie go.

She immediately stepped back, putting distance between them.

But the man didn’t release Jensen’s wrist.

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Their standoff electrified the air–Jensen’s fury clashing with the stranger’s icy restraint, evenly matched.

“Who the hell are you? Don’t make me have you thrown out.“.

“You’re welcome to try.”

Jensen’s glare burned with rage. But the man’s eyes, cold as a frozen lake, held a silent fire–like a fuse already lit, just waiting to explode.

Natalie didn’t know who the man was, but she wasn’t here to waste time.

She reached for her bracelet again.

The screen lit up.

Jensen, this is the Rise series I designed to help you secure your place at Luke Corp. Look at the sketches.”

in the video, Natalie handed Jensen a folder. Her smile was bright and hopeful, her eyes filled with love- he portrait of a girl who would give everything for the man she adored.

ensen wrapped her in a hug.

Natalie, thank you. This line is going to launch us to a whole new level.”

Then can my designer name be Sunny? I remember you said your favorite book had a character named Sunny, Jensen… I want to be your Sunny.”

Natalie’s radiant smile lit up the sunlight around her.

Okay. From now on, you’re Sunny. Natalie, one day I’ll make the world recognize your talent. And when hat day comes, I’ll give you the grandest wedding ever–drums, firecrackers, everything.”

ensen’s eyes were full of love. They looked just like any other couple lost in first love.

The video continued.

Natalie, buried in her sketchbooks, drawing every design herself–from concept, to research, to detail work. She used lilies as a base motif, embedding a faint watermark on every design with a special method.

Then the footage shifted–Jensen personally signing off on her sketches, ordering their production.

The crowd turned toward Jensen and Sharon with stunned, questioning eyes.

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7:29 pm PS

Chapter 8 So You Really Want to Do This

Sharon was on the verge of a breakdown.

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“Lies! All lies! You faked all of this! You’re nothing but trash our family threw away. How could you possibly be Sunny?

Even Jensen didn’t expect Natalie to go this far today.

His eyes turned cold as he looked at her.

“Natalie so this is what you want?”

“I just want what’s mine.

She met his gaze head–on, though inside, it felt like a hole had been carved in her chest–raw and bleeding.

Jensen sneered.

“What’s yours? You wouldn’t even be alive if it weren’t for me. I gave you your life! Without me five years ago, you’d be dead. How dare you claim you’re Sunny?”

He shoved her aside and rushed toward Sharon.

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