Five Years Later, He Goes Wild for Her Again Novel – The four-year relationship he has with Natalie Sherman proves to everyone that she’s the love of his life. But a “cheating” scandal forces them to break up in the most humiliating manner. Chapter 1 The four years Natalie Sherman spent with Austin Chandler were the happiest years of her life. After the breakup… She spent the next five years tearfully grieving the relationship. While she didn’t cry every day, whenever she thought of him, a heavy gloom gripped her heart.
It made her feel suffocated, and her eyes would grow wet along with it. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she’d run into Austin again—and especially not at Shane Barnett’s dinner gathering. The moment she entered the noisy private room, her gaze locked onto a familiar side profile. Her heart lurched, catching her completely off guard. She felt as if a bomb had exploded in her head. All sound and color seemed to fade from the world.
All she could see was Austin. He was wearing a white shirt and a pair of black pants that highlighted his tall, muscular frame. He carried himself with an air of sophistication and indifferent detachment. Even his side profile alone made him look so handsome that it felt almost unreal. Austin was looking down at his phone, and seeing him seemed to draw Natalie right back into the memories of their past. She recalled that spirited young man who often bore a grin that reminded her of the sun.
It felt like only yesterday, he’d been holding her in his arms, leaning down toward her as he said breathily, “Kiss me, Nat.” But that didn’t happen yesterday. That was five years ago, and it felt like an entire lifetime had passed since then. Natalie’s fingers trembled slightly. A bitter sting spread through her heart. Her eyes immediately misted over. She lost all courage to face Austin, feeling the urge to flee instead. She stood hesitantly at the door. In her panic, she turned to leave. “Natalie!” Shane called out to her. “Why are you leaving? You only just got here!” She froze mid-step, her hand stiffening around the doorknob.
Almost everyone in the private room turned toward her—except for Austin. His thumb had paused mid-scroll, but other than that, he showed no reaction and remained completely still. Natalie let out a heavy exhale, feeling a tightness in her chest. She could barely breathe. It was so awkward and mortifying to run into her first love like this. In fact, it was even more so, considering that their relationship had ended on pretty ugly terms. “Come on in! Hessy will be here soon,” Shane urged her.
Hestia Sullivan was Natalie’s childhood friend and also her best friend. Last month, she went on a blind date with Shane, and it was love at first sight for them. They made their relationship official pretty soon after that. Swept up in the fiery whirlwind of romance, the two had even decided to get married. The wedding was set for the middle of the next month. The couple organized this dinner gathering to introduce their respective closest friends to each other.
Everyone would need to get to know each other better and discuss the performance they’d be putting on during the wedding reception as well. Hestia seemed keen to have the bridesmaids and groomsmen dance together, while she and Shane, the bride and groom, sang a romantic duet. No one would be willing to go up on stage and risk potential embarrassment if they weren’t extremely close to the couple.
After taking some time to steel herself, Natalie finally turned around and headed further into the private room. Shane stepped forward to receive her. He held out his arm behind her as if ushering her forward but without actually touching her, maintaining a polite distance instead.
Meanwhile, with the other hand, he gestured for her to sit with the other women. Just as she sat down, she noticed a strikingly beautiful woman sitting beside Austin—Emily Upton, Austin’s childhood friend. When Natalie and Austin had been dating, Emily had constantly b