I Found Him Cheating, I Cut Off Our Engagement

Chapter 7 A Shattered Reflection

When Natalie finally stirred back to consciousness, the antiseptic scent was strong enough to choke her. Her attempt to blink was thwarted by the heavy layers of bandages blanketing her head and obscuring her vision. She instinctively tried to touch her face.

"Don't."

Hunter's voice emerged from the shadows, swiftly intervening to keep her arm at her side, his words laced with caution.

"The doctor employed top-tier cosmetic stitching, aiming to leave you scar-free."

"'Aiming'?" she whispered back, the word tinged with irony.

For a model, her face was her fortune. Yet not a tear nor tremor marred her demeanor. She simply lowered her hand, quietly turning her attention to Hunter with a vacant stare.

"Why are you still here? Isn't Layla the one who needs you?"

An awkward flush crept over Hunter's features as he avoided her eyes, settling into the chair beside her bed. "Layla's got a full medical team. How are you holding up?"

"Surviving." Natalie's voice was cool, devoid of warmth. "You can go."

"Natalie, don't shut me out." Hunter clasped her hand gently. "I know I messed up yesterday, but my hands were tied. Layla was in a bad place emotionally, and if..."

"So, feeding me to the wolves seemed acceptable?"

Natalie cut him off, her gaze piercing with raw disappointment. "My face is compromised. My career's hanging by a thread. How do you intend to compensate for that?"

Hunter sat there, utterly dumbfounded. He had braced himself for a meltdown, accusations, tears, a plea for comfort. He was prepared to employ his usual charm to win her back. But faced with this composed and unyielding Natalie, he felt unsteady. The reliance and affection he once saw in her eyes had vanished.

"I'll do everything to fix this," he promised hastily. "World-class plastic surgeons, premium recovery care. I'll cover every expense. And also..."

With a brisk clap, he signaled the attendants waiting outside the hospital suite to enter. They wheeled in a rack brimming with the latest haute couture gowns, each an opulent masterpiece costing a small fortune.

"These are all fresh off the runway from your favorite designers," he announced proudly.

Hunter stepped closer, selecting a gown in a luscious champagne hue, regarding it with a tender yet presumptuous gaze.

"This shade is made for you. Once you're better, shall we go get our marriage license?"

"The size is off," she replied coolly.

Hunter paused, baffled. "What do you mean?"

"The dress is a size S. I wear an M." Natalie cast an indifferent glance at the garments. "Hunter, we've been together for three years. You never noticed my size?"

The room fell into uncomfortable silence, the attendants lowering their gazes, Hunter's hands still holding the dress aloft as the color drained from his cheeks. Natalie turned her gaze away, detached.

Right then, Hunter's phone chimed. He checked the caller ID, his eyebrows tightening for a moment, yet he still took the call.

"Mr. Quinn," came a fragile voice edged with tears from the other end. It was Layla. "This ward feels so cavernous and lonely. I'm truly frightened all by myself."

Natalie caught every word with sharp clarity.

Hunter's voice softened instantly, coaxing, "Don't worry. I'll be there soon."

He ended the call and glanced at Natalie, who was resting quietly on the hospital bed. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words failed him.

"Just go," Natalie murmured, her eyelids drooping under the weight of exhaustion. "She shouldn't be kept waiting."

Hunter hesitated, but silence won out. Finally, he nodded and hurried out, the click of the door echoing through the quiet room. Once alone, Natalie reached for her phone, her eyes scanning the string of unread messages.

Grandfather: The lawyer has the paperwork ready. The Quinn family is set to terminate the engagement whenever you decide.

Private Investigator: Info on Layla confirmed. Her father served as Hunter Quinn's chauffeur and passed away last month on the job. Layla's record includes fraud and blackmail. Do you need a full report, Ms. Stewart?

Natalie responded swiftly.

Natalie: Email it to me now.

Then she messaged Logan.

Natalie: Grandpa, I'll meet you at the Quinn family estate in an hour.

She summoned the nurse to help process her discharge. Arriving at the villa she once cherished as her home, she swiftly gathered her belongings, a few well-worn clothes, some cherished jewelry, and mementos from her mother. The lavish gifts from Hunter remained untouched.

As she passed the study, she noticed the door ajar. She nudged it open, and her eyes landed on a photograph prominently displayed on the desk, taken last year on Frostvale Island. Amidst a flurry of snowflakes, she was leaning into Hunter, her smile bright and full of life.

Natalie retrieved the photo, removed it from its frame, and tore it down the middle. Hunter's half landed in the trash. As for her own half, she tucked it deep into her suitcase.

Pausing at the doorstep, she glanced back one final time.

Then she dialed the moving company. "Send a crew to the Quinn family villa. Pack all items belonging to a lady and donate them to charity."

After ending the call abruptly, she grabbed her suitcase and stepped out the door without a backward glance. A gentle drizzle began to fall from the overcast sky. Standing at the threshold, Natalie watched as the rain softly kissed her skin.

Her phone buzzed, displaying Hunter's name. With little hesitation, she dismissed the call, turned the phone off, removed the SIM card, snapped it in two, and discarded it in the nearest trash bin.

An hour later, she and Logan arrived at the weathered Quinn family estate simultaneously. Hunter's parents, Mark and Mary Quinn, sat waiting in the living room. Upon spotting the bandage on Natalie's face, Mary let out a sharp breath.

"Natalie, your face..."

"It's nothing," Natalie replied, seating herself on the couch. She pulled a folder from her bag and handed it to Mark. "Mark, Mary, here's the agreement to call off the engagement. I've already signed it."

Mark scanned the document swiftly.

The terms were straightforward. The Stewart family wanted no financial settlement, just an immediate cancellation of the engagement and a public declaration to that effect.

"Hunter's..." Mark faltered.

"He's with Layla," Natalie stated, her voice as detached as if she were relaying the weather forecast.

Mary's eyes filled with tears. "Natalie, it's us, the Quinn family, who owe you an apology. Hunter's the one who's been reckless!"

"It doesn't matter anymore." Natalie shook her head, her gaze wandering to the incessant rainfall outside. "I'm here today to bring closure to all this."

With a resigned sigh, Mark reached for a pen and signed the document severing their ties.

Rising to her feet, Natalie smoothed her clothes and said, "With this agreement signed, my business here is concluded. Take care, Mark, Mary."

She offered no further words and, without a backward glance, took Logan's arm as they headed out. As they passed through the gates of the Quinn estate, the rain intensified.

Logan angled the umbrella to shield her. "Natalie, are you truly ready to move on?"

Looking up at the overcast sky, her voice held a hint of liberation. "Grandpa, I should have let go long ago."

At the airport, Natalie checked in alone and wheeled her suitcase toward security. Just before crossing the barrier, she cast one last look back at the city where she had spent more than two decades, then turned decisively and continued on her way.

As the plane ascended through the clouds, Royalton faded from view, making way for a new chapter.