Matthew's grandfather hadn't returned, so Matthew had gone back to the main estate to spend the holiday with his parents. Knowing Natalie was coming over, he had rushed back early to prepare.

Matthew hadn't changed much. He was still the same composed, breathtakingly handsome man she had first met.

"Matthew," Natalie called out with a bright smile.

Just hearing his name on her lips melted the frost in his eyes, replacing it with a deep, lingering tenderness.

"Natalie, Luna, you're here. Come inside, it's freezing out there."

Natalie and Luna carried their gifts inside.

Julian Cooper had nothing on his schedule today, so he had Sean drive him around to get some fresh air.

Sean was a master of subtle manipulation.

He drove straight to Natalie's house, watched her visit Marshall, waited while she spent hours at the Spencer estate, and then trailed her all the way to Matthew's place.

Sean had his own selfish motives-he desperately wanted to see Luna. He also knew Sebastian was dying to see Natalie. Even though they hadn't openly discussed it, Sean knew exactly what was on his boss's mind.

Sebastian hadn't objected. He simply let Sean tail Natalie's car.

Luna was as gorgeous as ever. Since it was the holidays, she had ditched her usual stark black suits. She wore a soft pink coat, looking vibrant and festive, which only made her luminous skin glow brighter. Sean had been grinning the entire drive; he had missed her terribly.

Sean parked outside Matthew's house. He reached over and offered Sebastian a BBQ chicken leg.

Sebastian eyed it with disdain and made no move to take it. But they had skipped lunch and barely touched breakfast, and his stomach was starting to growl.

"Boss, neither of us has eaten lunch. I grabbed these smoked drumsticks from the deli. They're still warm, you should eat. I also got some roasted potatoes and grilled veggies. They aren't spicy, just incredibly savory. It's a special recipe from my hometown."

Having a taste of home on the holidays was better than nothing.

Sebastian was undeniably hungry. Foregoing his usual pride, he took the chicken leg and took a polite, measured bite. The flavor was surprisingly good.

He glanced down at the food in his hand. It really wasn't bad.

He tried a piece of the roasted potato. That was good, too.

Sean had his hometown flavors to comfort him. But what did Sebastian have?

He had the memories of the meals Natalie had cooked for him during those two years she took care of him—the meals he now craved with a burning desperation.

He stared at the front door of

her

Matthew's house. Knowing Natalie was inside visiting Matthew, the memory of the purple diamond necklace Matthew had gifted suddenly flashed in his mind The chicken leg instantly lost its appeal. Cóntent

That extravagant diamond necklace was a blatant declaration of intent. Natalie was extraordinary. Now that she had left him, she was bound to meet someone who truly cherished her, someone better than him. But the very thought of her belonging to another man twisted his gut into agonizing knots, driving him utterly mad.

Natalie's unwavering devotion to him had once been a warm, undeniable force.

When the rest of the world had given up on him, she was the only one who stayed.

And then Sean decided to twist the knife. "Boss, did you see the way the missus smiles at Matthew? If she had

to pick one guy out of the lineup right now, it would definitely be him."

Sebastian shot him an icy glare, remaining silent. Matthew was exceptional. From

every angle, he was a flawless catch.

Every woman in Yaro dreamed of marrying Matthew Monroe.

He took a vicious bite of the chicken leg, his mind racing for a way to force

everything back to how it used to be.

Dark, stormy rage churned in the depths of his eyes. "She won't," he muttered in a low, gravelly voice.

Sean turned around, raising an eyebrow in genuine curiosity. "Boss, how can you be so sure?"