The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 199

After Natalie sent Charlotte a heart emoji, her phone immediately started lighting up with notifications. It was one transfer after another—her mom sending her money over and over again without stopping.

Sitting across from her, Shawn could hear the constant pinging of her phone. Curiosity got the better of him.

"Nat, are you texting with a friend?" he asked.

"It's my mom," Natalie replied quickly, typing a message asking her mom to stop sending money.

She already had plenty—Lincoln had given her an additional card tied to his account, and Mason, despite his modest allowance, gave her everything he had. Hector and Timothy also sent her money regularly, as if worried she'd starve without it.

When Natalie's message reached her mom, it finally stopped the barrage. Her mom then sent a voice message instead. "Sweetie, don't be shy with me. I have plenty of money, and it's all yours—none of them are for your brothers!"

Since Shawn was nearby, Natalie didn't play the voice message out loud. She held her phone to her ear to listen, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

She thought if her brothers heard that, they'd probably be devastated.

Still, there was a strange warmth in her heart. It was a new, comforting feeling—a mother's unconditional love.

Charlotte didn't expect her to compromise, didn't ask her to trade anything for affection, and didn't make her endure hardships to earn care. She simply loved and protected her. It was something Natalie had never experienced at the Langleys.

Without realizing it, Natalie's initial resistance toward Charlotte had melted away.

"Nat, do you want to take a walk outside?" Shawn asked, noticing her faint smile. His lips curved into a warm grin. "Celeste will be wrapping up her shoot in about 20 minutes. Do you want to watch her up close?"

After a moment's thought, Natalie nodded. "Sure. Let's go."

Shawn led her out of Celeste's private lounge and toward the set. By now, Celeste had changed into a high-end couture gown with a fresh hairstyle and carefully chosen jewelry to match. She stood on the rocks, effortlessly posing as waves crashed around her, sending perfect sprays of water into the air.

The photographer snapped away, capturing frame after frame of flawless shots.

The combination of sunlight, sea spray, and Celeste's elegance was breathtaking—simply watching was enough to lift anyone's mood.

Shawn's assistant brought over a large sunshade umbrella. He took it and held it over Natalie, shielding her entirely.

Natalie glanced at him, puzzled. Shawn met her gaze with a gentle smile. "You're Celeste's cousin. Taking extra care of you is the least I can do—it's what I should do."

"Thank you, Mr. Haines, but there's no such thing as what someone should or shouldn't do," Natalie replied, reaching out to take the umbrella. "I can hold it myself."

She didn't mind the sun, though she did prefer not to tan. Her fair skin didn't tan easily, but she could lighten it again with her herbal baths even if it did.

"I'll do it," Shawn insisted, holding the umbrella. He maintained a polite distance while holding it over her.

"Nat, don't be so polite. If I don't take care of you, Celeste will kill me when she finds out," he added with a self-deprecating chuckle, his smile softening into a look of gentle pleading. "Please, just let me handle this for my own peace of mind."

Seeing his earnest expression, Natalie decided not to argue further. She wasn't the type to overthink or refuse kindness when it was offered sincerely.

When Celeste finished her shoot, she tossed her high heels aside without care and ran barefoot to Natalie, her face glowing with excitement.

"All done! Time to eat!" Celeste exclaimed, throwing an arm around Natalie's shoulders. "Shawn, you're coming too!"

"Sure," he replied easily.