She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 115

(Gloria)

I open my front door and find Nathanial standing on the porch.

He looks like he hasn’t slept in a week.

His tie is gone, his collar is unbuttoned, and there’s a raw, exhausted edge to him that immediately triggers my protective instincts.

"Can I come in?" he asks. His voice is rough.

"Of course," I say, stepping aside to let him pass.

I close the door, my chest tight.

I don't even know how to feel about him right now.

Or his step-sister.

My feelings on Sonia are as clear as they’ve ever been.

My entire emotional compass is spinning off axis.

Piper’s arrival yesterday threw me off course.

I know she was upset when she left my office.

I saw her hand shaking.

It means she isn't quite as over our one night together as she likes to pretend.

But because Piper absolutely refuses to acknowledge it, there is really no point in me even thinking about it.

And then there’s Nathanial.

Piper actually introduced us a few months after that night in London.

I eventually accepted that our hookup was going to remain swept under the rug for eternity. So I moved on.

I really loved Nathanial.

I gave him everything, and he hurt me deeply when he chose to believe Sonia’s lies.

I love fiercely and without holding back, but I also refuse to put up with nonsense.

And both of these damn Mortons have showered me in it.

But looking at Nathaniel right now, standing in my living room looking completely lost, I push all of that aside.

"Sit down," I tell him. "What happened?"

He sinks onto the sofa and drags his hands through his hair before he starts talking.

He tells me about the private investigator hitting a brick wall.

Then he tells me about driving to Shell Cove and getting into a massive, screaming match with Sonia and his mother.

He sounds utterly defeated.

He goes quiet for a long moment, staring at the coffee table. Finally, he looks up at me.

"Do you think you'll ever be able to forgive me?" he asks.

I don't answer immediately.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, but I can’t give him the answer I know he wants.

"I already have," I say honestly.

"I understand why you did it, Nathanial. With your background, and losing a sister the way you did, it makes sense that you would blindly protect the family you had left. I get it."

Relief washes over his face, but I hold up a hand.

"However," I continue, keeping my voice steady, "Forgiving you isn't the same as trusting you again.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify