Chapter 1966 Guilt
Subsequently, Nat was sent to the hospital and stayed there for a week. By the time she was
discharged, she was no longer willing to speak.
It wasnât until Matteoâs rescue that she, at the sight of his grievous injuries, asked him, âDoes it hurt?â
From that day onward, he was the only one whom she was willing to talk to.
After Sebastian walked away, Matteo went to school to personally pick up the children, in particular
Natalie. He even made an effort to collect her at her classroom. âNatalie Emmanuel, your cousin is
here!â
Inside the empty classroom, the mute Natalie was indirectly neglected. After being arranged to sit in the
last row, she cut a lonely figure waiting there. The pitiful sight of her was enough to tug at anyoneâs
heartstrings.
While standing outside the classroom, Matteo saw Natalie turn around in delight at the teacherâs call.
Her beautiful eyes were sparkling as brightly as the stars, eliciting a smile from his face.
Soon, he was on his way out of school with the three children. Yoel asked, âMatt, is Vivi and the others
still at home?â
Nina was curious. âWhy are you asking about them?â
âShe promised to take me to Warlock Church, where sheâll buy me desserts and toys. After all, my
parents donât allow me to eat them because theyâre worried Iâll spoil my teeth.â
Much to Matteoâs surprise, even such obedient children had their own frustrations to deal with.
In response, Nina gave him a condescending look.
Observing the children through the rearview mirror, Matteo pursed his lips when he noticed Natalie,
amidst the animated discussion between the other two, quietly fiddling with the silver whistle.
âDonât worry. If they have left, Iâll take you there. Nat, do you want to come along?â
âHmm?â
Just as expected, Natalie was particularly sensitive to him.
She was very similar to Ian back in the day, where he would block out whoever or whatever he
resented. Furthermore, her condition seemed to be more serious than his.
Matteo suggested, âShall we visit Warlock Church? Iâll be taking you there.â
Natalie agreed obediently, âOkay.â
As she looked at him with her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, he could see the delight brimming in
them.
Matteo, briefly jolted by the sight, felt a stinging pain in his heart once he returned his attention to the
front.
Upon their arrival at Oceanic Estate twenty minutes later, Ian and the others were really gone. Ian had
mentioned that he had an upcoming exam, while Vivian and Kurt joined him since they were heading
the same way.
That night, Matteo brought the three children out by himself.
Warlock Church was indeed bustling with activity. He remembered enjoying himself a lot when his
mother brought him and his siblings there during their childhood.
Subsequently, Matteo led them to a lively street.
âIf you see any food that you fancy, just let me know and Iâll get them for you.â
âThank you, Matt.â
At the sight of the busy night market, Yoel and Ninaâs eyes were already gleaming with excitement.
Holding each otherâs hands, they ran toward one of the shops selling snacks.
Glancing at Natalie, whose hand he was holding, he asked, âArenât you going over?â
Natalie didnât reply.
After a brief hesitation, she grabbed Matteoâs two fingers and pulled him toward the shop.
Soon, the three children came out with bags filled with snacks.
When someone familiar accompanied her, Natalie looked no different from an ordinary child. One
would only realize that something was amiss after observing her for a long time and noticing that she
didnât speak.
After spending the entire night having fun, Matteo finally took them home at nine when all of them were
visibly tired.
Nina inquired, âAre you leaving soon too?â
Along the journey home, the sharp Nina, who was watching Matteo from the back seat, raised the
sudden question, causing Matteo to be taken aback.
âWhat makes you think so?â
âThe rest have already left. Besides, when you are being especially nice by taking us out, what else
could it mean?â Nina insinuated.
Matteo was stunned by her words.
I canât deny how smart she is. But why do I detect a sense of unhappiness in her tone? Nina obviously
sounded more upset than before their trip.
Matteo sighed. âYouâre right. I am leaving. Therefore, you will have to look out for the two of them.â
Nina retorted, âWhy? Theyâre not related to me at all.â
Stumped, Matteo could feel the veins in his head throbbing in exasperation.
Her sh*tty temper is just the same as her brotherâs.
Ignoring her, Matteo turned to check on Natalie, who didnât seem to realize what was going on. At that
moment, the latter was leaning on Yoelâs shoulder and dozing off.
Matteo, with a wry smile on his face, simply shook his head in resignation.
When the children woke up the next day, Matteo had already left.
Sasha, who was worried that Natalie would be devastated if she didnât see Matteo, hurried to the
latterâs room before she woke up.
âNat, are you awake?â
The moment the rays of the morning sun penetrated the windows and fell upon Natalie, who had just
opened her eyes, Sasha was jolted by the image of her long-deceased friend flashing across her mind.