Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 868: Natalie Woke Up Tina ignored Ruud and walked straight to Natalie's bedside. Her mother's face was soft and beautiful, and Tina reached out to gently smooth her hair. Natalie was still in a coma. Just as Tina adjusted the blanket over her, the bright pink bedspread caught her eye.

Natalie's body was connected to numerous advanced medical devices monitoring her condition. Tina carefully checked each one. Everything seemed normal, yet her mother had been asleep for so long. A wave of longing and emotion surged in Tina's chest.

"Instead of wasting your energy on me, you'd better take good care of my mom. Put your whole heart into it," Tina said coldly.

Ruud nodded like a child pecking rice, his tone solemn. "Don't worry. Your mom's life is my life. If anything ever happens to her, I'll give my life to make up for it!" Tina's eyes flickered, and then she sat back down, quietly keeping her mother company. For the first time, the three of them-Tina, Ruud, and Natalie-were together. The sunlight spilled onto Natalie's serene face, bringing a touch of warmth to the room.

As dusk approached, Tina prepared to leave. She leaned close to Natalie and hugged her tightly. "Mom, I'm waiting for the day we can all be reunited." "Don't worry, Mom. I'll take care of Tina," Jared said with a smile tugging at his lips. He placed a large hand on Tina's head. "You just wake up soon. I want to marry Tina as soon as possible!" Ruud shot Jared a sharp glare, his frustration boiling over. I haven't even reconciled with my precious daughter, and you're already in a hurry to get married! Tina hasn't spent twithyet. I haven't even experienced what it's like to have my little girl close to me! How infuriating! Jared: "We're already married." Ruud: "... Get lost!" "Mom, I'm heading hfor now. I'll find tto visit you again tomorrow," Tina said softly. She left with Jared, leaving the hospital room in silence.

Now, it was just Ruud and the unconscious Natalie.

Ruud slumped pitifully by Natalie's bedside, resting his head on her legs. "Tracey, our precious daughter doesn't want to acknowledge me. She's been swept away by that brat from the Farrell family. And that kid doesn't even have the sense to say something nice aboutto her! It's so frustrating. When you wake up, you can't let them get married too soon. If anyone's getting married first, it's going to be us!" When they first met, Natalie had introduced herself as Tracey. Even now, though he knew her real name, Ruud couldn't break the habit of calling her Tracey.

He reached into a drawer and pulled out a journal. Its gray-brown cover had unique textured lines that gave it an artistic, almost magical feel. Ruud's large hand clasped Natalie's slender, calloused fingers resting on the bed. With his other hand, he opened the journal, the sound of pages turning breaking the quiet.

"This is the diary I kept during the war," he said. "Most of it isn't about the battles. It's full of things I wanted to say to you." His eyes softened, overflowing with tenderness. The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting a halo over his dark hair.

"November 25th. I miss you terribly. Snow is falling heavily in northern Sinoria. I still remember the first tI saw you, fighting so gracefully. Your face was soft and gentle, like a little girl, but your presence was strong and commanding. It touched something in me." "December 1st. The war grows more intense. The pressure on the front lines is suffocating. I only get brief moments to breathe during the day. In those moments, your calm and determined eyes always appear in my mind. Clear and bright. When the war is over, I want to drink peach blossom wine with you." "Mid-December. The snow is three feet deep in the north. I got injured. In my dreams, I see your smile. Your voice and laughter always lift my spirits. I miss the ginger soup you made-it was perfect." "Early January. I thought of something from long ago. I remember our first date. You stoodup. Before that, when we chatted, it was gardenia season. You casually mentioned how fragrant they were. I snuck into my dad's garden and picked sof his carefully tended blooms. They were big and beautiful, but you didn't show up. I was so angry I wanted to bury the flowers in the dirt. My dad caughtand scoldedfor ruining his flowers out of spite!" Ruud couldn't help but chuckle as he read, a faint smile softening his sharp features. He leaned down and kissed Natalie's forehead.

Perhaps age had mellowed him. The domineering air he once carried was gone, replaced by a gentle, rambling warmth.

That night, Ruud fell asleep by Natalie's side. When he woke, dawn was breaking, the sky a pale wash of light. Years of disciplined work had given him a steady routine. His first instinct was to check Natalie. Her pale, peaceful face was still, her eyes closed. Everything seemed calm.

He let go of her hand, picked up the flowers from the vase, and headed out to the garden to cut fresh ones.

The garden was bursting with blooms, each petal glistening with morning dew. The crisp air carried a familiar, delicate fragrance. Snow-white petals, soft and tender, framed golden-yellow centers that glowed in the light.

Ruud's eyes softened as he carefully snipped a few flowers, trimming the stems and leaves with care. For a NO moment, he felt a rare peace, a stark contrast to his years on the battlefield. He savored this quiet life.

But a strange feeling tugged at him. Gripping the flowers tightly, he strode back to Natalie's room.

The bed was empty, the blanket tossed aside. Natalie was gone.

Ruud's eyes turned crimson, his gaze darkening with fury. He clenched the gardenias so tightly that the veins on his arms bulged. "Tracey!" he roared.

From the bathroom, Natalie's slender figure emerged. Her eyes were misty, as though holding back tears, and her lips were a deep, rosy red. She called out tentatively, "Ruud?"

The figure before him was so achingly familiar, the voice one he hadn't heard in years. At this the he long-awaited moment, Ruud was overwhelmed. His lips trembled.

"Tracey..." He rushed to her side, his disbelief evident. "You... You're awake?" He could hardly trust his own eyes. After all, Natalie had been in a coma for so long. He never thought she would wake so soon.

Natalie smiled. Even in her forties, her smile was as stunning as it had been in her youth. "Yes, I'm awake."