She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 109

(Natasha)

The elevator doors slide shut, cutting off my view of the penthouse lobby.

The descent begins, pulling my stomach down with it.

My hands are gripping the handle of Lily’s stroller so tight my fingers are starting to cramp.

Back for round two already?

I squeeze my eyes shut, but the image is fixed there.

Sonia standing in his kitchen, wearing his shirt.

Yes, I left in anger two nights ago, but I thought we were in a stalemate.

I didn’t realize he would turn around the second I left and move his mistress back in.

This is obviously his pattern. The moment I’m not doing whatever he wants me to, he goes back to the woman who does.

The betrayal hits low and hard, a physical ache that makes me want to throw up.

I was right not to trust the quiet moments between us.

Chase is not my friend.

He’s certainly not fit to be my husband.

We will always be tied together because of Lily, but I have to let go of any hope I’m still nurturing that we could be more than co-parents.

I’m glad I didn’t tell him who Dr. James Bailey is.

He doesn’t need to know anything about my fractured family history.

My ghosts are none of his business.

He will never respect me, and he clearly hasn’t stopped lying to me.

The drive back to the townhouse is a blank space in my memory.

I pull into the driveway, kill the engine, and carry Lily inside.

My mom meets me in the hallway. She takes one look at my face and reaches for the baby.

"I need you to watch her today please," I say.

My voice sounds as hollow as I feel.

"I gave Sarah the day off because I was going to stay with her at Chase’s, but I have to go to work."

"Of course," she says quietly, settling Lily against her shoulder.

She watches me carefully.

Things are still a bit unsettled between us after she hung up on me.

She tried to smooth over her panic about James Bailey, claiming she was just worried that seeing my dad’s brother would trigger painful memories.

She said she didn’t want me dealing with old grief while managing Lily’s illness.

It was a neat, logical excuse and I didn’t believe a word of it.

But looking at her now, I simply don’t have the energy to care.

Whatever secret they’re keeping about James, it can wait.

I have a more immediate fire to put out.

"I won’t be staying over at Chase’s apartment anymore," I tell her.

My mom doesn’t ask why. She just nods.

By the time I walk into the Stein M&A offices, I feel like I’m moving through heavy fog.

I barely manage a nod for Priya before I push open my office door.

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