Chapter 202

The door at the entrance creaked open. Natalie sat on the couch, waiting. Her eyes were glued to her phone screen as she discussed post-holiday work plans with a colleague. As familiar footsteps approached, Taylor walked in silently. He casually placed his phone on the coffee table, then lifted her chin to meet his gaze. His voice was heavy with fatigue. "Nat, I'm back." "Oh, are we heading to Jones Manor now?" Her tone was flat, devoid of emotion. After a moment, she added, "Or should we go around lunchtime?" Taylor stared at her intensely. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" "What needed to be said was already discussed on the phone." "Then let me talk." Natalie smirked and replied nonchalantly, "I'm not trying to silence you." Taylor leaned in closer and nearly brushed his lips against hers. His dark eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that felt almost aggressive. "Tell me, what does 'Let's leave it at that' mean?" "You know perfectly well what it means." "I don'