All Chapters of She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

129 Chapters

Chapter 21 The Leak

(Natasha)Sitting on the soft sofa in Mason's living room, I feel a sense of peace for the first time in forever.My adoptive parents flew back to Pennsylvania yesterday, leaving me to focus entirely on my divorce strategy.The quiet shatters when the front door swings open violently.Gloria comes stomping down the hallway.She holds her phone out in front of her, and her face is bright red with anger.“Stay off the internet today," Gloria orders loudly. "Give me your phone right now, Natasha."Frowning, I put my tea down on the coffee table."What happened? Did Jeffrey Bauer make a public decision about the merger?""No," she says, stopping right in front of me."It has nothing to do with business. It’s about Chase and that awful girl."Before I can ask another question, Mason walks quickly into the living room.He’s carrying his tablet and he looks absolutely furious."We have a major public relations problem," Mason announces.He sits on the edge of the coffee table facing me."Som

Chapter 22 The Hemorrhage

(Mason)Pacing back and forth, I check my watch for the hundredth time.Three hours have passed since I carried Natasha through the emergency doors.Gloria sits rigidly in a plastic chair nearby, staring at the double doors of the maternity ward, her hands tightly folded in her lap."They should have told us something by now," Gloria says, her voice shaking."She was in so much pain.""Dr. Evans is with her," I reply, trying to sound confident."He knows her medical history."Before I can say another word, the doors swing open and Dr. Evans walks out.He looks completely exhausted and I can’t help but notice the blood on his sleeves.A sudden rush of fear grips me."How is she?" I demand, rushing over to him.Gloria jumps up and stands right beside me."The baby is a girl," Dr. Evans announces quietly."She’s small, but she’s perfectly healthy."Relief washes over me for exactly one second before the doctor’s expression stops me.He doesn't look happy. He looks terrified."What’s wron

Chapter 23 The Resemblance

(Nathanial)Walking up the wide stone steps of the Warren estate, I keep a close eye on my sister.Sonia walks stiffly beside me, keeping her hands carefully folded over her perfectly flat stomach.She shivers, blaming the cold wind, but I know she’s anxious about seeing Chase and Natasha’s child."Relax," I tell her gently, pressing the doorbell."You’re carrying his child too. He’ll love your baby just as much."She gives me a tight, unconvincing smile.The heavy front door opens, and Eleanor Warren greets us warmly.She looks incredibly pleased with herself."Nathanial. Sonia, my dear," Eleanor says, kissing my sister’s cheek."Come inside. It’s wonderful to see you both.""We wanted to see the baby," I explain, stepping into the grand foyer."And I need to speak to Chase about the Bauer merger.""Of course," Eleanor replies, leading us toward the massive living room."He’s in here. He hardly puts the child down."Entering the room, I stop and stare.Chase Warren is sitting in a la

Chapter 24 The Impossible Lie

(Sonia)Sitting across from Eleanor in the lounge, I carefully smooth the fabric of my silk dress over my perfectly flat stomach.Eleanor sips her tea, looking very pleased with herself."Don’t pay any mind to Chase acting like a fool right now," Eleanor says, setting her cup on the saucer."He’s a new father and besotted with his little girl. Which is why we have to protect him. That child upstairs is a Warren.""She’s Natasha’s baby," I remind her.Keeping my voice sweet and agreeable takes a massive amount of effort.Honestly, the thought of Natasha bleeding out in a hospital bed brings me zero guilt.Her death would make things so much easier for me.If she stays in that coma forever, she can’t sign the divorce papers and where will that leave me?I have no particular wish to be her brat’s stepmother.She was supposed to take the baby and disappear from our lives. Leaving me and Chase to build our own perfect family.The squalling pest down the hall is nothing but an inconvenience

Chapter 25 The Patriarch's Demand

(Chase)I close the nursery door quietly after making sure the baby is still sleeping peacefully.The nurse promised to call me when she wakes and needs to be fed.Walking down the long hallway toward my study, I realize that the house feels entirely different with my daughter here.The quiet emptiness is gone.Maybe it’s just me. Her presence fills something in me I never knew I was missing.When I step into the study, my grandfather is already waiting for me.He stands near the large window, leaning on his wooden cane."You should be at the office," he says without turning around."My daughter needs me here," I reply, walking around my desk to take a seat."I’m not leaving the estate."My grandfather turns to face me with a stern expression."Hiding in the house won't fix the mess you made, Chase.""There is no mess," I tell him, keeping my voice calm."Nathanial and I secured the Bauer merger yesterday. Jeffrey Bauer told Nathanial he’ll be signing with us.""Only because Natasha i

Chapter 26 Empty Arms

(Natasha)My eyes blink open very slowly.The ceiling above me is painted a dull, flat white. My mouth is dry, and my body feels incredibly heavy.Taking a slow breath, I try to piece my memories back together.The last thing I remember is the sharp, agonizing pain in Mason's living room.I slowly lower my trembling hand to my stomach.The firm, round bump is gone.It’s completely flat. Where’s my baby?Panic hits me instantly.My heart races as I try to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side forces me back against the pillows."Natasha."Mason's voice is soft.He’s sitting in a chair next to the bed, wearing a wrinkled button-down shirt and looking exhausted."You’re awake," he breathes, leaning forward quickly, relief written all over his face."My baby," I whisper, my voice cracking dryly."Where’s my baby?""She’s safe," Mason says, taking my hand in both of his."You have a beautiful little girl. She’s tiny, but she’s healthy and strong."Tears of relief immediately fill my eyes."W

Chapter 27 The Midnight Shadow

(Natasha)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 trembles.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 hand

Chapter 28 The Cruel Ultimatum

(Natasha)It’s three weeks before Christmas, and I’ve finally been discharged from the hospital.My foster parents are refusing to return to Pennsylvania.Their excuse is that their youngest son, Liam, is studying at UCLA, so they may as well stay for the holidays.I know they’re staying to support me."Sit down, sweetheart," my mom urges, guiding me to the living room sofa."You shouldn’t be moving around too much."It’s been weeks since the surgery and the wound on my abdomen has healed.The one on my heart is still festering though."I need to use the restroom first," I tell her gently.Walking into the downstairs bathroom, I flip on the switch and look at my reflection for the first time in nearly a month.The woman staring back at me is a stranger.Or rather, she’s a version of me I’ve long since forgotten.The terrible swelling in my face and body is gone. My cheekbones are sharp, and my eyes look huge in my pale face. My clothes hang loosely on my frame.The physical transforma

Chapter 29 The Reprieve

(Natasha)Sitting at the kitchen island in my townhouse, I stare blindly at the untouched mug of tea in front of me.Mason paces the length of the room, running a hand through his dark hair."Just give me one week, Natasha," Mason pleads.He stops pacing and looks at me with desperate eyes."Don't agree to his ultimatum yet. We have to at least try and fight him.""Two supervised visits a week, Mason," I remind him, my voice hollow and exhausted."I can't survive on that. Being without her hurts all the time.""I know," Mason says softly.He walks over and rests his hands on the counter."But if you move back in there, Chase traps you. He regains control of your life.”Mason sighs, his hand once again going to his hair, which looks like a rat’s nest by now.“My legal team is looking for a loophole. We might be able to force a temporary custody arrangement that doesn't require you to live under his roof. Just give me seven days."Looking into his earnest face, I understand he only want

Chapter 30 The Suspicions

(Natasha)Pulling my car into the circular driveway of the Warren estate, my hands grip the steering wheel tight.There’s every possibility that Chase has ulterior motives for asking me to be here while he’s gone.But I can’t bring myself to care. Seven days with Lily is worth any risk.Chase opens the door the moment I ring the bell."You're early," he comments, checking his watch."I want to spend as much time with Lily as possible," I reply."The staff has strict orders to assist you with anything you need," Chase says."My mother is inside. I expect civil behavior from both of you.""I'm here for Lily," I remind him. "Not to fight with Eleanor."He gives a short nod. "I'll be back next Friday."His driver pulls into the driveway and hops out to hold the back door open.“If there’s an emergency, contact me immediately,” he says firmly.Giving me a glimpse into how hard he’s finding it to leave Lily behind.“Everything will be fine,” I assure him.“I know it will. I trust you.”His

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