It was a morning where Natalie was, and she heard her phone ringing the moment she stepped out of the
bathroom.
Her lips curled into a smile when she saw who it was, and she quickly answered, “Hi, Darling.”
The man's handsome face appeared on the screen. “Awake already?”
“I just got up. Why did you call so early in the morning?” Natalie asked as she took off the shower cap and started
to comb through her hair.
Shane's eyes darkened as he stared at her fair neck. His voice became slightly hoarse as he said, “The kids miss
you.”
With that said, he handed his phone to his children, who were staring at him in anticipation.
Their faces popped up on the screen together as they shouted, “Mommy!”
Natalie's heart melted at the sight of them being so excited. “Yes, I'm here.”
“I miss you so much, Mommy,” Sharon said with a pout.
Even though Connor said nothing, it was evident that he was feeling the same as it was written all over his face.
Tears welled up in Natalie's eyes as she said, “I miss the both of you too.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I'll bring them to you during the weekend,” Shane said suddenly.
“The weekend?” she asked dumbfoundedly.
“Yes. I have time this weekend,” he answered.
Natalie wasn't sure how she should react as she said, “Didn't we talk about this previously and agree that you'd only
come once every fortnight? I've only been here for three days!”
“It's fine. They miss you, and so do I. That's why we're going to visit you.” As he spoke, Shane leaned closer to his
children and stared at her with loving eyes. Her face flushed red, and after seeing the excited look in her children's
eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse. So she nodded and said, “Alright then.”
“Yay!” Sharon shouted as she raised her hands in celebration.
Connor, too, broke into a grin.
Even Shane could not help but let out a smile.
The family continued to talk for a while before the call finally ended.
“Are you done, Nat? The preliminary round's starting in half an hour,” Sally suddenly knocked on the door and
urged.
Natalie quickly put down her phone and answered, “In a second.”
“Okay. Hurry up. I'll go arrange for a driver,” Sally said, her voice getting further away as she spoke.
Grunting in acknowledgment, Natalie quickly went back into her room and got changed.
After half an hour, both of them finally arrived.
It was the first day of the competition, and they would be competing in the preliminary round.
The preliminary round held this time was very different from the previous ones. In the past, the competitions held
were all conducted using the elimination method. Just like any other competition, the weakest participants were
eliminated. This would continue for four more rounds until the champion was determined.
However, the system was different this year, whereby the participants would be arranged in groups and compete
together instead of individually.
This meant that the capability of the participants would be tested during the first round, and they would then be
grouped according to that. Thereafter, they would compete in groups. Once there were only two participants left,
another competition system would be adopted.
The rules for the final round had yet to be announced, so the participants would only find out about it later on.
“Are you nervous, Nat?” Sally asked softly as she stood behind Natalie.
The latter shook her head and replied, “No.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIt's just a competition. There's nothing to feel nervous about.
“What about you? Are you nervous?” she asked.
Sally's eyes gleamed while she shook her head excitedly. “Nope. I feel so happy just thinking about standing on the
same stage as the senior supermodels.”
“Is that so? I'm glad you're feeling that way.” Natalie nodded and heaved a sigh of relief.
She was worried that her friend would feel nervous since it was the first time the latter was participating in an
international event. If that was the case, she would be prone to making mistakes, which would leave a bad
impression.
Luckily, Sally didn't disappoint her at all.
“Woah, isn't this Natalie? Are you finally out of the hospital?” Just then, Hannah's sarcastic words were heard.
Sally rolled her eyes and said, “D*mn it. Why is she here?”
Natalie was starting to get a headache. Does Hannah even have a brain? She always ends up embarrassing herself
whenever she tries to pick a fight with us, but she'd still come back every time.
It's like she's a masochist!
Hannah didn't know what both of them were thinking. She walked toward them and stared at Natalie with eyes full
of mockery. “I heard you were admitted to the hospital because of a miscarriage. Is it true?”