The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

Sheldon let out a terrified scream. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.

William rushed inside. The moment he saw the scene before him, he froze in

shock.

"Someone help! Hurry! Hector, Nat, come quickly!" William shouted.

At that moment, Natalie and Marcus were on the fifth floor. She thought she heard someone calling her name, but the sound was fleeting and quickly faded.

Hector hadn't gone far. The moment he heard William's urgent cry, he sprinted toward the study.

"Hector, save Mr. Holden Senior. Quickly, Sheldon, call Marcus right now," William commanded without hesitation. His voice was swift and steady.

"Yes, yes," Sheldon stammered. He was too shaken to think. All he could do was follow orders.

His hands trembled as he fumbled with his phone. It took him several attempts to press the right buttons. When he finally got through, the moment he heard Marcus' voice, he broke down in sobs.

"Mr. Marcus, come to the study right away. Mr. Holden Senior, he..."

He couldn't finish the sentence.

The call abruptly ended.

On the fifth floor, Marcus grabbed Natalie's hand and bolted from the room.

He couldn't wait for the elevator and instead took the stairs, racing down with Natalie following closely behind. She didn't ask any questions, keeping pace with him the entire way.

When they arrived at the study, Hector had already finished performing emergency treatment. But it was too late.

Natalie immediately recognized it as the moment of lucidity before death. His final burst of life.

Marcus rushed to Charles' side. His eyes were bloodshot, and tears streamed silently down his cheeks.

"Marcus, make the most of this moment," Hector said softly, unsure of what to say, but he had to say something.

He stepped back to make room. Marcus moved forward and carefully cradled Charles in his arms. His voice was hoarse as he spoke.

"Grandpa, you just promised us that you would help plan out the engagement ceremony."

His tears fell without sound, one after another.

"You promised Nat and me. You can't go back on your word."

Charles raised a trembling hand. Marcus immediately lowered his head so that his grandfather's fingers could brush against his face.

"Marcus, I'm sorry," Charles whispered as tears slipped from his own eyes. "This is my fault. I broke my promise."

He continued, "Marcus, when I'm gone, you must live well. You and Nat must be happy. You must never hurt the one you love. Never betray them.

"My life has been a failure. A complete failure. But at least I have you. You're my best and most outstanding grandson. Having you is enough."

Charles' tears streamed down his wrinkled face, but there was a gentle smile on his lips as Marcus held him.

"Marcus, forgive me. I'm going ahead. I won't get to see you marry or have children. I broke my promise. That's my fault. Please don't blame me."

Marcus sobbed uncontrollably. He shook his head vigorously, unable to make a sound.

"Marcus, raising you has been the greatest joy and achievement of my life," Charles said, his gaze filled with love and pride. You're exceptional, and I'm proud of you.

"You have Nat now. Her parents are

good people. Her brothers will be

good brothers to you too. Your mother's recovered from her illness. Even when I'm gone, you'll still have her, and you'll have Nat's family. They'll all love you. Knowing this, I can leave without regret.

Then he turned his gaze to William. "William, come closer."

William hurried forward. "Mr. Holden Senior."

"I know you're a good man. You and Charlotte are wonderful parents. I'm entrusting Marcus to you."noveldrama

"Charles, please don't say that," William said, gripping his frail hand. For the first time in years, he used the name he had called him in his youth.

"William, I don't have much time left," Charles said, his voice steady despite the tears in his eyes.

"I know what you were trying to do when you asked me to plan the engagement ceremony. But please forgive me. I truly cannot hold on any longer. It hurts. It hurts so much."

He placed a hand over his chest.

"At least before I go, I know Marcus has found Nat. That is enough for me. William, promise me. You and Charlotte, and Nat's brothers. Treat Marcus as your own. Love him the way you love Nat."

"Charles, I promise you, Marcus and Nat are together now. That makes him part

of the Walker family. Charlotte and I will treat him even better than our own sons. Charles, don't worry," William said, eyes reddening.

Hearing this, Charles exhaled softly. "That's all I needed to hear."

His trembling fingers reached up to wipe the tears from Marcus's face. "Marcus,

don't cry. You don't look good when you cry."

He turned to look at Natalie. "Nat, come here."

William wiped his eyes and stepped aside. Natalie walked forward and knelt beside him.

"Grandpa Charles."

"Just call me Grandpa," Charles said gently. "From the moment I first saw you, I liked you. Not because of Grace, but because of you. You have always been special. And I was right."

Without hesitation, Natalie changed the way she addressed him. "Grandpa, I'll marry Marcus. We'll have children. Our family will love Marcus just as much as you do. We'll carry on your love for him together."

"That's good. My sweet child." Charles smiled. His breathing was weak, but he forced himself to keep speaking. "With your words, and your parent's promise, I can finally let go. I'm sorry, Nattie. I won't be able to help with the wedding planning."

He continued, "I was blind before. I trusted Grace too much. If I'd known earlier, I would've kept you by Marcus' side from the beginning. You wouldn't have had to suffer all those years with the Langley family.

"This is my fault. Because of me, Yvette turned her hatred toward all of you. I must go now. I have to answer for my sins."

"Marcus, don't ery. It hurts me to see you like this. Charles then stroked Marcus' face, slowly wiping away his tears. "My dear boy, don't cry. I'm only going ahead. I'll prepare the world for you. When your time comes many years from now, you'll still be born into a wealthy family."

Marcus shook his head desperately. He didn't care about wealth in the afterlife.

He only wanted his grandfather to live. He wanted him to grow old, to stay with him for as long as possible.

"No more tears. It makes you look bad." Charles murmured weakly as he wiped away another tear.

"Marcus, I'm tired. Remember what I've instructed. Bury me beneath that big maple tree. If you ever miss me, come and talk to it. My good child. Don't cry."

Marcus opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

"Be good. No more tears."

Charles gazed at him with deep affection. His breathing grew shallow. His hand,

still wiping away Marcus' tears, slipped from his cheek and fell. His eyes, still wet with tears, closed for the last time.

"Grandpa!"

Marcus' cry pierced the air. It was filled with pain, raw and agonizing, as though

his very soul had been torn apart.