Curt had been standing outside. He heard the sobbing and felt a sharp pain stab his heart.

"Nathalia."

​​

Nathalia turned around instantly, "Yes, dad. Is there any news?" she asked, almost pleadingly.

Curt looked awfully exhausted as if he had aged suddenly. His heart ached terribly, looking at the girl who still refused to give up. It took him a few seconds to be able to open his mouth to speak, and gently he said, "It's been half a month. The wreck has not been found yet. We have been searching around the location of the phone, but nothing..."

They had jumped into action as soon as they arrived, with some hope, yet after two weeks of searching and nothing, nothing was found, Curt felt desperate, his hope crushed.

The 48 hours after the incident was the most important period of time in rescue. Now, everyone's heart had sunk, except Nathalia. She still had hope. She would not give up. She believed that Spencer was alive, and he would come back to her.

Nathalia's face turned into a serious and determined look. "We are not giving up. I have to see him, even, even if he's...dead, I have to see his body." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. She lifted her head up to stop herself from shedding a tear.

She would not listen to anyone. She would never believe that Spencer was gone unless she saw his body.

Seeing her pale face and fragile body, Curt felt a stab of pain in his heart. "We will go on searching, but we should go home. You don't look well, Nathalia. You need to rest."

She appears to be strong, but she's, in fact, as delicate as a little flower bud. People might think she's got everything anyone can desire in the world, but there are only a few people that she feels close to. She might seem cold to some, but she's very much devoted to her loved ones. I can't imagine how she can ever cope with it if, if Spencer... He wished Nathalia had loved his son less so that she would not have to suffer so much now.

"Go home, dad. I will stay." Nathalia replied plainly. For you, Spencer is one of your sons. You still have your career, your ambition, your other son, and women. But for me, Spencer is the whole world!

Curt had sensed the coldness in her tone, and he felt hurt, but he replied patiently, "Whether you stay here or not, the searching will go on. No one will dare to disobey me. No one will dare to give up. With you staying here, it won't be of any help. Nathalia, listen to dad. Go home and get some rest, please..."

Nathalia kept her eyes on the screen and said helplessly, "I just want to be closer to him."

Curt couldn't bear it anymore. It brought him to tears. He turned around so as not to be seen that he was crying. "Spencer loves you very much too, Nathalia. He will hate to see you in this state. You need to look after yourself, be well, and wait for him to come home."

Nathalia stood there silently, staring at the screen, praying for Spencer's return. "I will stay. I won't bother anyone here." Again she replied plainly.

Curt understood that it was useless to persuade her. "Do you ever have any regrets?" He asked quietly.

It sounded rather random, but Nathalia understood what Curt meant. "Never." She said. She never regretted meeting him, falling in love with him, marrying him. Even if she knew there would be so much pain, she would have done the same.

Tears ran down Curt's face. "You are a silly girl. Nathalia. Silly."

Sophie was sobbing uncontrollably. God, please bring Spencer back for Nathalia! Please bring him back. Please let them be together.

Nathalia stroked the wedding ring on her finger gently, gave it a kiss, and whispered, "I do. I love you."

Bang!

All of a sudden, everything turned black, and Nathalia fainted.

"Nathalia! Nathalia!" Sophie exclaimed, frightened.

Curt rushed over to check on her and called for the doctor immediately.

Nathalia slept for a day and a night. The doctor said she just needed some rest, and a long sleep would do her good. Still worried, Sophie stayed by Nathalia's bed the whole time as she didn't want her to wake up to find herself alone. She didn't want to admit it, but the scary thought that Nathalia would not wake up bothered her. She's also a fragile girl like us.

When she spotted the sweet smile on Nathalia's face, Sophie was surprised. I wonder what dreams she is having now.

Nathalia dreamed of Spencer. He looked charming as usual, with a smile on his face and affection in his eyes. He picked Nathalia up and spun her around. They were both laughing so happily. They were in a park where flowers were blooming, and a little stream was murmuring nearby. Everything seemed so perfect.

She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to stay, thinking this is home; home is where Spencer is.

But Spencer seemed to get angry suddenly, and he waved his hand at her, asking her to go away. Why? Why? She felt very confused. She didn't want to leave. She wanted to cry, but no tears came. She wanted to shout, but no words could be heard.

Sophie noticed that Nathalia was knitting her brows hard, and she looked like she was in a lot of pain. Concerned, she shook Nathalia's hand gently. "Nathalia? Nathalia? It's ok. It's just a dream. Nathalia?"

Nathalia slowly opened her eyes, looking confused, helpless, and terribly upset.

Sophie heaved a sigh, then spoke with effort in a cheerful tone, "Come, Nathalia. You must be hungry. I've got you something to eat, and it's your favorite..."

Nathalia looked around the room and knitted her brows as if she recalled where she was. All of a sudden, she sat up and said, "I'm good, thanks. I want to go to the control room." She got off the bed only to realize how weak her body was and collapsed onto the floor.