She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 189

(Clarice)

It feels like the kitchen has shrunk to the size of a doll’s house.

After Natasha's kidnapping I realized that I couldn’t put this off any longer.

And not only because of the sword James is holding over my head.

The truth is unlikely to give me my eldest daughter and my son back, but if there’s even the faintest chance that they could forgive me, I have to take it.

If Natasha can see past the fact that I abandoned her, maybe she can get past the truth of my character as well.

With time.

Holding her in my arms the other night, realizing part of her still craved comfort from her mother, ignited a flame of hope in my heart.

Then she and Nathanial ganged up on me, demanding the truth.

Natasha is at the table.

Hands flat on the wood.

She hasn’t touched the tea I made her.

Nathaniel is by the sink. Arms folded.

I sit down. I don’t know where to put my hands.

"I'm going to tell you everything," I say. "I know I’m going to tell it badly because there’s no good way to say any of this."

Neither of them speaks.

I want to run out the door and into the ocean, but I force myself to stay put and face the music.

"Your father, Will, I met him when I was twenty-five. He was twenty-two. I loved him very much. I want you to know that first."

Natasha doesn't move.

"A year after we met, I met his father. Your grandfather. Nathanial. I... I started an affair with him. Within the first year of knowing Will."

Nathanial's arms tighten across his chest. He doesn't look at me.

"I married Will anyway. I didn't end the affair. I kept seeing your grandfather for years after the wedding. I was already pregnant when Will and I got married."

Natasha says, very quiet, "Pregnant by who? Do you know?"

"By your grandfather. I was pregnant already by the time Will and I were intimate for the first time. He was so happy when he found out about the pregnancy. He insisted we get married immediately. I knew it was wrong, but I loved him."

“Not enough to stop sleeping with his father,” Natasha says coldly.

Nathanial looks like he’s going to be sick.

"Nathanial," I say to my son, forcing myself to look at him.

“So Will was never my father. He was what, my half-brother? And my grandfather was my biological father? Did you laugh when you decided to name me after the man who was really my father?”

I wince at the bitterness, but I deserve every drop of it.

“That wasn’t my choice. Will asked me if we could name you after his father. I had to say yes."

Nathanial stares at me like he expects demon horns to sprout from my head.

I keep going. I can't stop now or I won't get the rest out.

"Sonia is also his. Your grandfather's. Not Will's."

“Jesus fucking Christ. How could you have done that?” Nathanial spits.

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