She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 174

(Clarice)

I’ve been sitting in this lounge for nine hours.

Waiting to make sure Lily is fine, and hoping that Natasha will change her mind and speak to me.

I would have donated even if I’d known this would be the outcome, but I was secretly hoping it would buy me some goodwill.

I’m still holding the juice box they handed me. It must be the temperature of lukewarm tea by now.

The dizziness passed after the first hour and I’m certainly not planning on drinking warm juice, but holding it gives me something to do with my hand, and so I keep clutching it.

I’ve been staring down at Lily’s room like a vulture perched on a branch.

The Kelly couple came at twenty past eight.

The husband was dragging a wheely-bag, which he left in Lily’s room before going to the nurse’s station.

He returned looking slightly calmer than when he’d gone over there, so the news must be positive.

I wouldn’t know, they’re hoarding the information like coupons.

James warned me to stay away from that entire floor, or he’d have hospital security escort me out.

The Kellys have been in there all night.

The lights in Lily's room have stayed low and the door has stayed mostly closed.

Their son, Liam, has walked past the glass three times tonight.

Once for coffee, once for water, once for what I assume was a cigarette.

He didn't look at me any of those times.

Why would he? He has no idea who I am.

I am, technically, nothing to him, even if he did.

His step-sister’s biological mother who abandoned her.

He's taller than both his parents and has a sweet face.

Big, dark eyes. A wide mouth that’s used to smiling frequently. Glossy black hair that falls into his eyes.

I don’t think he can be more than twenty years old.

Once I stop analyzing Liam’s appearance and wondering how deep a bond he and Natasha share, I start rehearsing again.

Natasha, I need you to know that the day I left was the worst day of my life.

No.

She'll laugh in my face, and she'll be right to.

She was six. I was an adult.

And I chose to leave, nobody forced me to go.

I left before it came to that.

Natasha, your father knew things that-

No.

Don't lead with Will.

If she hears his name first she'll remember what my walking out did to him and she’ll tell me to get out.

I remember when you were small you would-

No.

Absolutely not.

I don't get to talk about when she was small.

I forfeited that vocabulary the day I left her behind.

Natasha, I’ve been a coward for so long.

True. But then she’ll want me to explain why.

Natasha, I was very young.

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