Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 50: You Don’t Want to See Me Anymore?
"It’s over now, it’s over."
Isaac Vaughn held Natalie Kendall tightly in his arms, her heart pounding like thunder, breath coming fast and rough. He patted her back and gently touched the back of her head.
Natalie gradually calmed down. As soon as she moved away from him, she heard Jason Grant’s shocked voice: "Isaac? You two?"
Isaac glanced coldly at Jason, who stood in the doorway of the villa, his gaze icy.
Jason frowned, his tone unhappy, "Isaac, what the hell are you doing? Did you break this door?"
His plans ruined, he was extremely irritated.
Before Isaac could answer, someone stepped down from a nearby car and said coldly, "I was the one who had it opened."
"Julian, Julian!" Jason’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Julian Beckett show up.
Realizing he’d nearly forced himself on his own sister Natalie Kendall just now, he suddenly felt guilty.
"Julian, why— why are you here?"
Julian looked at Natalie and said gravely, "Nat, come here."
Natalie walked over to her big brother.
Julian stood beside the front passenger seat, reaching back to open the car door.
Natalie quietly sat inside; he shut the door without even glancing at Jason, walked around to the driver’s seat, got in, started the car, and drove away.
Jason cursed under his breath, his face ugly.
He’d messed everything up. How was he supposed to explain to the old man?
Suddenly, something occurred to him; he looked at Isaac: "Isaac, what’s going on? How come you’re here with Julian?"
Isaac was seething inside, wishing he could beat the crap out of his uncle right now.
But all he could do was grit his teeth and swallow his rage.
"Uncle, what about you? What’s with you?"
"Isn’t it all because of the Beckett family!" Jason snapped, angry himself, "Sebastian Beckett wants to call off the engagement, what am I supposed to do?"
He grabbed his own hair, "So I fucking had to bed Natalie Kendall quick— make it a done deal!"
Idiot!
Isaac shot him a cold look, not even bothering to say another word.
——
The car returned to the city, driving toward the Beckett home.
Julian Beckett’s long fingers gripped the steering wheel, his veins standing out beneath the skin.
At a red light, he turned his head and glanced at the person in the passenger seat.
Natalie kept her eyes downcast, her face pale, hands tightly entwined atop her knees.
At the next intersection, Julian parked, walked over to a convenience store, and bought a cup of hot cocoa.
"Have a sip."
Natalie dazedly took it, looked up at her brother, and obediently drank.
Julian opened his mouth as if to say something, but ended up remaining silent.
They arrived at the Beckett house.
As they entered, Matthew Beckett, sitting on the couch drinking tea, glanced up; a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, gone in an instant.
"You’re back."
Julian looked at Natalie and answered, "Mm."
"Nat, what’s wrong?" Matthew set his teacup down and stood, approaching them with concern, "Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"
Natalie silently looked at her father.
The matter of Grandpa wanting to break the engagement with the Grant family—only she and her father knew about it.
The fact that Jason Grant knew, had to mean her father tipped off the Grants.
So, the reason Jason acted that way today was, in a sense, catalyzed by her father’s actions.
"If you’re not feeling well, go rest upstairs." Matthew squeezed Natalie’s shoulder kindly, love in his eyes. "Don’t try to tough it out."
But Natalie only felt a chill seep through her bones.
She said nothing, nodded, and went upstairs.
After she left, Matthew went to head to his room as well.
Julian suddenly called to stop him.
"Dad, why don’t we just do as Grandpa said and break off the engagement with the Grant family? Jason’s behavior was outrageous. You know what he tried to do to Nat today? He actually tried to force himself on her."
"They’re already engaged." Matthew sighed. "Whatever happens between them is only natural. Jason may have gotten a bit impulsive and hurt Nat, but you should comfort her when you have time. As for breaking off the engagement, don’t bring it up again."
After a pause, Matthew looked at his son, "You know full well this marriage has to go forward."
*
Natalie returned to her room, wanting to call Isaac—but then remembered, her phone had been thrown away by Jason.
"Knock knock."
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Natalie opened it and saw her big brother outside.
Julian handed her a phone.
Natalie blinked in surprise, reflexively reaching to take it.
Julian handed it over and turned to leave.
"Little Ear?"
Just then, a familiar male voice came from the phone.
Natalie closed the door, pressing the phone to her ear, and softly answered "Mm."
Isaac let out a breath, silent for a long while.
After ages, he finally spoke again, "I’ll take you to buy a new phone tomorrow."
"I’ll get it myself." She paused, then said, "I’m heading back to Seaharbor tomorrow. I’ve been on leave too long, have a lot of research to finish, and my professor helped me with some translation gigs. My company’s in Seaharbor too."
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Not sure yet."
On the other end, Isaac’s eyes darkened, "You don’t want to tell me? Don’t want to see me anymore?"
Because of his uncle, was she now pushing him away too?
Natalie whispered, "No."
Isaac said, "Alright, then take care of yourself. I can’t get back to Seaharbor for now—got things here to settle."
Natalie replied, "Okay."
After hanging up, she returned the phone to her brother.
Julian beckoned her over and handed her several folders.
Natalie flipped through them, surprised.
She hadn’t expected her brother was serious, not just talking.
Julian pinched his brow and looked at her, "Picked out a few schools for you. Good programs, faculty, and campuses. Look them over and see which you like. I’ll get in touch with whichever you choose and send you there soon."
"I..."
"Don’t rush to answer. Take your time thinking about it."
Julian cut her off, clearly not wanting to hear her refusal just yet.
She clenched the documents, swallowing her words, and nodded.
——
Natalie returned to Seaharbor.
Vanessa Grant apparently knew nothing about what Jason Grant had done, and even called to ask why she’d left so quickly—was something urgent?
The innocent can’t be blamed.
Natalie couldn’t put her anger on Vanessa.
She explained it was school business.
Vanessa reminded her to focus on her studies, not worry about the wedding.
In the next three or four days, Natalie and Isaac barely contacted each other.
Vanessa, on the other hand, called several times every day to report on the wedding preparations, even sent her tons of wedding dress photos to pick from.
Natalie deliberately ignored all that.
After class that day, as she left campus, she saw Jason Grant approaching head-on.
At the sight of him, her face grew cold. She turned and strode in the opposite direction.
"Natalie Kendall!"
Jason Grant chased her down and blocked her way. "Don’t go, I need to talk to you."
He ground his teeth, "I was wrong! What I did last time was shit!"
He reached out to grab her hand, but she shook him off.
"Uncle."
Suddenly, a lazy male voice rang out.
