The cemetery was remote , and with the heavy rain today , no one but the Clarks had chosen this day to visit . In the vast grounds , it seemed only the sound of rain and Natasha's breathing could be heard . She stood before the grave , eyes locked on the smiling face of the woman in the photo , letting the rain pound against her face - and her heart . Natasha murmured to herself , " Is this my punishment ? But wasn't Grandma your family too ? Why ? Can I just give you my life back ? " It was freezing , yet Natasha's body was burning . By the end , she was almost rambling incoherently . Natasha felt like a stray piece of driftwood floating alone in a boundless sea , only to be forgotten , rot away , and sink without a trace . At the very moment Natasha collapsed , a large black umbrella appeared above her , and a pair of strong arms caught her . Then that piece of driftwood was lifted out of the water again . " Natasha , let's go home . " The sharp lines of Alexei's face had softened under the rain , his voice carrying a rare gentleness . Natasha let herself sink peacefully into his embrace . ***** Lucas had felt uneasy since morning . After pacing the living room more than a dozen times , he finally grabbed his car keys and headed for the door . Even though Natasha had purposely provoked him last time - nearly getting him dragged to the police station by her neighbor - Lucas still felt he should be with her on such an important day . Just as he was about to leave , something came to mind , and Lucas went back to his room to fetch a small box . Inside was the gift he had personally picked out for her , For years , because of Emilia's death , the Clark family avoided acknowledging Natasha's birthday . Only Lucas insisted on quietly sneaking Natasha out every year on this day to celebrate with her . The last two years , Lucas had missed her birthday . After all , it was also the day Olivia mourned most . But this year , Lucas didn't want to miss it again . 1/4 4:33 pm PS Chapter 32 20 vouchers But just as he reached the door , he ran into Margot . Ignoring his impatience , she pulled him into the study . " Your grandfather's birthday is coming up . I picked out a few gifts - help me decide . " " Mom , I've got something to do . We can talk when I get back ," Lucas replied . Margot's face darkened . " What could possibly be more urgent than your grandfather ? " Seeing his restlessness , Margot grew even more annoyed . " Their family's going to the cemetery . What's that got to do with you ? Isn't it inappropriate for an outsider to run around getting involved ? And if you go celebrate Natasha's birthday , how do you expect Olivia to feel ? " Lucas's jaw tightened , his voice unconsciously rising . " What about how Natasha feels ? We've known each other for twenty years , and because of Olivia , I've stood her up two years in a row . " Margot let out a cold laugh . " In any case , you're not going . Tell me this - if Olivia and Natasha end in conflict , whose side are you on ? " up " Natasha's , of course ," Lucas replied without hesitation . Margot just stared at him in silence . Under that all - seeing gaze , Lucas couldn't help but think about how , lately , he'd been standing against Natasha time and time again , pushing her further and further away . His breath caught in his chest . Margot patted his hand . " Fine . If you can't make up your mind , then just avoid being anywhere they're both present . That way , you won't end up pleasing neither side . " In her eyes , the tangled mess between the two Clark daughters was something Lucas shouldn't get involved in - at most , he could marry whichever one came out on top . Seeing his mood sour , Margot added casually , " Alright . Just wait until the right time and way , you can be the one to comfort her . " go . That By the time Lucas finally headed out , two hours had passed . He called Thomas first to find out where Natasha was . " What ? " Lucas shot to his feet , his voice a mix of frustration and anger . " So in this downpour , you just left her at the cemetery ? " Thomas explained , " That's because she slapped Olivia right in front of Aunt Emilia . " Lucas didn't hear a word after that . " Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a cab out there ? She's not scared being alone ? Not long ago she ran into a creep , remember ? " Hearing this , Thomas felt a pang of regret at that . 2/4 Chapter 32 20 vouchers He glanced at Olivia's closed bedroom door before rubbing his temples . " Fine , I'll send you the location . Go bring her back . She probably hasn't left yet ." After a pause , Thomas added , " She might have caught a chill . Have your housekeeper take care of her for a few days . I'll cover the cost . " ' If I send someone from the Clark house , she'll never agree , Thomas thought . " Don't bother . I'll handle it . " Lucas hung up and sped toward the cemetery . On the way , Lucas regretted losing those two hours . Because of the weather , traffic was sparse , and the closer he got , the more desolate the roads became . It took over an hour to get there . The moment he stepped out of the car , Lucas spotted a tall man carrying a woman down the mountain path . The woman wore a black dress , her face buried in the man's chest , a suit jacket draped over her shoulders . Only a pair of pale legs showed beneath the hem . The rain made it impossible to see their faces clearly , but something about them felt familiar . It wasn't until Lucas watched them get into a black Rolls - Royce that realization hit him . Lucas had no time to dwell on why anyone else would choose today to visit . He quickly snapped back to focus and ran up the mountain with his umbrella . But the front of grave was empty - only a bouquet of lilies lay soaked by the rain . Lucas stood in the downpour , feeling an odd , hollow sense of loss . It seemed he and Natasha were always missing each other . Inside the car , the driver quietly raised the privacy screen the moment the engine started . In the spacious backseat , Alexei still hadn't put Natasha down . Soaking wet , she sat on his lap as he held her . Natasha's voice was faint . " I'm getting your car all wet ." Alexei wiped the rain from her face with a towel . " Yeah , so you'll have to be my driver next time as punishment ." I thought you were overseas ? " Natasha asked . She remembered Arabella saying Alexei wouldn't be back for another two weeks . " I was , " Alexei replied , " but I remembered today was important , so I came back early , " " What's so important ? " Natasha asked , resting against his chest , her tone indifferent . " My future wife's birthday , " Alexei said . 3/4 4:33 pm P Chapter 32 En Es 20 vouchers Alexei had read about the significance of this date . The moment he learned , he'd rescheduled important meetings to fly home - worried that someone might give her a hard time again . Besides , Alexei had come straight to the cemetery from the airport , following the location Shawn had sent him . But even then , he'd been late . Remembering the sight of her earlier , soaked through like a stray kitten , Alexei narrowed his eyes . At that time , Natasha noticed the large cake sitting on the empty seat beside them . It looked beautiful , the kind of cake that had to taste as good as it looked . " Alexei . " Natasha said quietly , " don't you know ? They all say today is unlucky and not worth celebrating ." Alexei let out a cold laugh . " Who says that ? They're out of their minds . I say any day that brought Mrs. Turner into this world is the best , most precious day there is . " Alexei lifted her chin , locking his eyes on hers . " Forget what they say . Tell me - does it make you happy if I celebrate your birthday ? " His gaze was like a deep , endless pool . Natasha could only nod . Seeing this , Alexei smiled in satisfaction and ruffled her hair . " Alexei , " Natasha said , glancing at the cake box , hesitating , " are you this nice to every business partner ? " 4:34 pm P Chapter 33