Chapter 38 Aren't You Tired of Pretending

"Grandpa Charles, please rest well. I'll be heading back now." Natalie avoided addressing Charles' previous words directly and stood up. She glanced at Marcus, who nodded slightly and said, "Grandpa, I'll escort Ms. Walker back." "Don't call her Ms. Walker. It sounds too distant. Either call her Nattie or Natalie." Charles felt uncomfortable hearing them address each other so formally. Marcus didn't like Emma, and to him, no woman was worth mentioning. Charles wasn't sure if he'd ever get to hold a great-grandson. "You're right, Grandpa," Marcus said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as his gaze on Natalie grew more meaningful. "Natalie, I'll walk you home." Natalie was speechless. Hearing him say her name made her skin crawl. But in front of Charles, she could only nod lightly and respond, "Okay. Thank you." ... Marcus and Natalie left the hospital and headed toward the villa. Neither spoke as they walked, but Natalie suddenly stopped walking as they neared their destin