Chapter 1118 It Is All Because Of Me Jerome took a deep breath before uttering with difficulty, âIâm sorry. I promised to protect you, but I watched you get hurt at the dock. I let you become the bait.â
He truly hated himself. At that moment, he felt he was no different from a coward no matter how great his reputation was.
Natalie looked down and smiled. âItâs not your fault. Besides, this is probably the best outcome we can ask for. Itâs just a minor injury anyway. Now, Yumi is safe, and you have captured Zophie. Besides, no explosion happened at the dock.â Jerome stressed, âNatalie, itâs not a minor injury!â
A subtle smile remained on Natalieâs lips. âSilly, itâs a minor one if I can talk to you like this, so donât apologize to me anymore. You donât owe me anything. Besides, you knew how much I hate being in Bastienâs presence, so you risked everything to bring me back to the Sutton residence. Apologize one more time and Iâm going to lose my temper.â
âAll right.â Jerome knew Natalie had said that to make him feel better. However, it only made him more determined to be loyal to her. If the same thing happened again, Natalieâs safety would be his first priority.
Looking pale, Natalie said weakly, âJerome, Iâm a little tired. Iâd like to get some rest. Could you contact Yandel and tell him to work with Emma to take care of the kids? Yumi, especially. Help me come up with an excuse and tell them Iâll be away for a few days. Iâll go back once Iâm better.â
Jerome nodded. âDonât worry and get all the rest you need. Iâll handle the others.â âOkay.â Natalie trusted Jerome with all her heart. She was reassured to hear his words, and she soon fell back to sleep.
Seeing she had fallen asleep, Jerome studied her haggard face.
Without realizing it, he lifted his hand and was about to stroke her face when he suddenly thought of something. He hurriedly retracted his hand and tucked her in before turning around to leave.
Some distances had to be maintained, or there would be no turning back.
Natalie was not an indecisive person.
In fact, she would help him decide if he hesitated.
All Jerome could do at that moment was to control himself.
Meanwhile, Yandel was busy taking care of Franklin, Sophia, Xavian, and Clayton at the Moss residence.
Billy had brought Yumi to Yandelâs home.
As soon as the door opened, Yumi appeared before the four children.
Seeing that, Sophia rushed over and hugged Yumi, wailing, âYumi, youâre finally back! Are you okay?
Are you all right?â
They played with each other the most since they were girls.
When Yumi was kidnapped by Zophie, Sophia was never in a good mood even when Yandel coaxed her with delicious food.
The sight of Yumi caused all the emotions Sophia had been suppressing to rush out, and the latter instantly burst into tears.
Yumi, too, was touched to see all of them again.
She was already an orphan back at the orphanage.
After all, she was the final member of the Jankovich family. There was no one else left.
Just when Yumi thought she was going to spend the rest of her days in the orphanage, she wasâmuch to her surpriseâadopted by Natalie. She did not even expect to have siblings like Sophia and Xavian.
When Yumi felt Sophiaâs arms around her, tears started streaming down her face. âI missed you, too, Sophia! Iâm fine. Iâm all right. Everythingâs all right.â
As Sophia let Yumi go, she discovered some bruises on her face.
âYouâre lying! How are you all right?â exclaimed Sophia, wiping Yumiâs tears and examining her wounds. âLook at you. So many parts of your face are swollen. Itâs all because of me. If you hadnât distracted her to protect me, I wouldâve been the one who got kidnapped.â