She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27 The Midnight Shadow

atasha)

It’s nearly midnight, but I lie awake, staring at the ceiling

My arms ache with an emptiness that steals my breath.

Every time my eyes close, Eleanor’s cruel voice echoes in my head, telling me I can’t see my own child,

The agony of being separated from my daughter is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.

I forced Mason to go home and get some sleep. I know he needed it, but now I’m alone with my thoughts and they’re driving me crazy.

My gaze shifts when the handle on my door clicks softly.

I expect a nurse, coming to check my vitals, but a woman in a dark wool coat slips inside.

Held securely against her chest is a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.

My heart skips a beat, and pushing myself up against the pillows, I ignore the sharp pull of my stitches.

“Who are you?” My voice treinbles.

The woman steps closer to the bed.

“My name is Sarah,” she answers in a hushed tone. “I’m the night nanny at the estate”

Tears blur my vision instantly. Reaching out with shaking hands, hope flares in my chest. “We don’t have much time, Mrs. Warren, I have to get her back before she’s missed.”

She leans down and carefully places the tiny bundle into my arms.

The weight of my daughter settles against my chest and the feeling is indescribable.

She’s so small, yet she fills every empty space inside my soul.

For the first time in days, I can breathe properly.

Pulling the blanket back with careful fingers, tears spill down my cheeks.

She’s perfect.

Soft curls cover her head. Her eyelashes rest gently against her pale cheeks.

Tracing her tiny eyebrow with my index finger, I feel a fresh wave of tears fall down my face,

“Hi, sweetheart,” I breathe, kissing her warm forehead.

“I’m your Mommy, and I love you so much.”

Pulling her closer and resting my chin against her head gives me a feeling of being whole.

“How is she doing?” I ask the nanny, unable to look away from my baby.

“Is she eating enough? Is she sleeping well?”

“She eats very well,” Sarah replies, smiling softly

The Manight shad

+15 Bonus

Bonus

“And she has a strong set of lungs when she wants to be held. Mr. Warren is very good with her.”

m not sure how I feel about that. I want my daughter to know she’s loved, but Chase shouldn’t have taken her from me.

Tracing my thumb over tiny knuckles, I ask softly, “Does she have a name yet?”

“No, ma’am. Mrs. Eleanor keeps suggesting family names, but Mr. Warrett won’t name her unless you agree.

A strange twist of emotion hits my chest.

He stole her from me, but he’s protecting my right to be involved in naming her.

“Why are you here, Sarah?” I ask, looking up at the kind woman. “Eleanor made it clear I’m not allowed to see her. If she catches you, you’ll lose your job.”

Sarah shifts her weight uncomfortably and looks toward the door.

Following her gaze, my eyes catch movement in the hallway.

The door is open just a crack, letting a thin slice of light spill into the dark room.

Standing in that sliver of light is a tall, familiar shadow.

Chase.

He stands perfectly still in the hallway. He doesn’t step inside. He doesn’t speak. He just waits in the shadows, watching me hold our daughter.

My breath catches in my throat.

He defied his mother to bring my baby to me in the middle of the night.

A thousand angry words rush to my tongue. But looking at his silent silhouette, the anger mixes with a deep, confusing ache.

He’s giving me this moment, but he refuses to cross the threshold.

We stare at each other through the crack in the door for a long minute.

Then, the shadow shifts. He turns away and walks silently down the hall, disappearing from view.

“I need to take her back now,” Sarah whispers gently, breaking the silence.

My heart shatters all over again.

“Five more minutes,” I beg, tightening my hold on the pink blanket.

“Please, Sarah. Just five more minutes.”

The nanny gives me a sad, understanding nod.

Spending the next few minutes memorizing every single detail of my daughter’s face, my resolve hardens.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify