As Nathalie knelt in front of Greta, she was caught off guard when Greta whispered, "Feeling pretty smug, huh? Snagged yourself a solid guy like Nathan." Nathalie shot back, "Jealous, much?"


    Greta shrugged, "You might want to keep an eye on Ashley, though."


    Nathalie sensed there was something more behind Greta''s words, but Greta didn''t offer any more details.


    Once the prayers were over, Nathan helped Nathalie to her feet.


    Casually scanning the room, Nathalie''s suspicions were confirmed when she spotted Ashley lingering on the outskirts. Ashley''s beautiful eyes locked onto hers, radiating undeniable hostility. Nathalie was baffled. She and Nathan had been open about their rtionship for a while now. Could it be that Ashley still hadn''t moved on from Nathan?


    She decided she needed to have a chat with Ashley.


    As the funeral service began, Nathalie intentionally stood beside Ashley. While everyone else was absorbed in the solemnity of the moment, Nathalie''s attention drifted to Ashley''s sped hands. A glint from Ashley''s left hand caught Nathalie''s eye-a brilliant silver diamond ring that nearly blinded her.


    It was the ring that had caught Nathalie''s attention.


    But when she examined the design on Ashley''s finger more closely, she was stunned.


    Ashley''s ring was identical to her own wedding band.


    Both were designed for women.


    A chill ran down Nathalie''s spine. She nced over at Nathan, who seemed to be meditating with his eyes closed. Sensing her gaze, Nathan suddenly opened his eyes and gave her a yful wink. His look was warm and full of adoration.


    Yet, for the first time, Nathalie felt Nathan''s affection was too ephemeral, too unreal.


    How could someone so seemingly perfect exist, and still be hopelessly in love with someone as wed as her?


    Throughout the funeral, Nathalie was distracted.


    She felt like a puppet, mechanically


    going through the motions until


    Nathan took her hand and said "The


    ceremony''s over. Let''s head


    home."


    But Nathalie pulled away suddenly, "Nathan, hold on. I need to talk to someone."


    Nathan paused, his eyes scanning the guests. Besides Cameron, he couldn''t figure out who else might be


    Cant enough to dy


    Nathalie.


    "Who do you need to see?" he asked carefully.


    Nathalie''s deep eyes held a hint of caution as she looked at him, which made Nathan smile, "Go ahead."


    As Nathalie walked away, Nathan''s smile faded into a look of mncholy.


    Approaching Ashley, Nathalie asked, "Ashley, can we have a word in private?"


    Ashley met her with a look of hostility, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "What do you want, Paige?"


    Nathalie gently took Ashley''s left


    hand, revealing the wedding ring A forget-me-not flower cradling a heart-shaped diamond symbolized a promise of protection and love.


    BUMS


    Recalling Nathan''s promise, "I''ll protect you forever," Nathalie asked bluntly, "Ashley, where''d you get this ring?"


    Ashley, clearly annoyed, pulled her hand back, hiding it in her sleeve.


    Then, with a defiant re, she retorted, "Why do you care?"


    Nathalie pressed on, "Ashley, that''s a wedding ring. Last I checked, you were single. Why are you wearing it on your ring finger?"