Natalie was amused. “Mrs. Rivers, I'm only doing these because Joyce is my best friend.
You guys have helped me a lot in the past, and I'm only repaying your kindness. Please
don't feel pressured.”
Caitlin immediately said, “Not at all. I know you're a good girl, but we cannot accept this. If
we continue to rely on you, we'll never be able to do anything on our own and will keep
depending on you the next time we face any problems. So, Nat, please stay out of this.
We'll find a way to deal with it.”
“How are you guys going to resolve the issue?” Natalie tilted her head in confusion.
Of course, Caitlin wouldn't divulge the truth and merely said, “You'll know by then.”
Natalie didn't feel like prying when she sensed Caitlin's reluctance. She nodded and said,
“All right, then. Mrs. Rivers, do contact me if you're facing any problems. I will do my best
to help you guys out.”
“Sure. Thank you, Nat,” Caitlin said gratefully.
Natalie shook her head and said, “You're most welcome, but there's no need to thank me
at all. Right. How is Joyce doing, Mrs. Rivers? Did she recall anything after seeing Stanley?
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHow is her attitude toward him?”
She was worried that Joyce might rediscover her feelings for Stanley if she recovered her
memories of him.
Even though Joyce had said that she didn't particularly feel anything toward Stanley,
Natalie still doubted her. Hence, she thought it was best to verify with Caitlin.
“Joyce is doing great. She still doesn't remember Stanley, and she's treating him like a
stranger,” Caitlin said, relieved that her daughter was unbridled by her unbecoming past.
Natalie felt a stone lifted off her chest upon hearing Caitlin. “That's great.”
“I know. We were worried sick at first too, but thank goodness it all turned out fine. As long
as Joyce doesn't remember Stanley or her feelings for him, there's nothing to worry
about,” Caitlin lamented.
Jonathan nodded in agreement.
“Okay, Mrs. Rivers. Since you guys have decided to stay, I won't talk you out of it. Just
take good care of yourselves there, all right? Oh, one more thing. After Stanley wakes up,
please let me know as soon as possible. Observe his reaction toward Joyce and Mr. Rivers.
If he's hostile, I will ask Shane to bring him back home right away,” Natalie said.
“Sure.” Caitlin nodded.
Despite Caitlin agreeing to give Natalie a call, only Caitlin knew what was truly on her
mind then.
They spoke for a while more before Natalie hung up the call.
She leaned back in the chair and rubbed between her brows. She hadn't expected that the
Rivers would arrive at such a decision in the end.
Natalie could understand where they were coming from, but that didn't stop her from
worrying about them.
Shane had advised her not to worry herself sick and insist on overprotecting the Rivers
family, reasoning that it would not do them any good at all.
In fact, he pointed out that Natalie should let the Rivers family learn how to deal with
Stanley on their own.
Natalie knew that he was right, and she was willing to let them do so.
However, she still couldn't help but worry about them and would call them up every day to
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcheck on them.
“Nat.” Someone was knocking on her door right then.
Natalie snapped out of her thoughts and looked in the direction of her door. “Come in.”
Lina opened the door, holding a design brief in her hands. “Nat, I'm done using them. Here
you go.”
“Okay,” Natalie took over the design brief with half a smile.
Lina noticed the half-hearted smile and the troubled expression on Natalie's face.
Concerned, she asked, “What's the matter? Why do you seem so dejected?”
Natalie rubbed her temples and said, “It's nothing. I just got off the phone with Joyce's
mom.”
“Oh, what did you guys talk about?” Lina's interest was piqued. She pulled out a chair
opposite Natalie and took a seat.
The Rivers family was going through a crucial period. Hence, Lina was concerned about
them as well.
Natalie sighed. “Same old, same old. They still don't want to leave.”