All Chapters of She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

(Natasha)Stepping through the double doors of the hotel suite, exhaustion drags heavily at my bones.The private flight across the Pacific was smooth, but traveling internationally with a newborn takes a heavy toll.Lily fusses quietly against my shoulder.She obviously hates the sudden time change just as much as her mother does."Just put that next to the wardrobe," Chase instructs the bellhop.Glancing around the sprawling suite, my stomach tightens with fresh anxiety.There’s a sleek sitting area, a glass dining table covered in business files, and one king-sized bed visible through the open bedroom archway.A beautiful wooden crib sits mere feet from the mattress."Only one bedroom?" My tone is sharper than intended."Bauer booked the suite for me before this came up," Chase replies calmly, unbuttoning his suit jacket."Every other room on this floor is occupied by his executive team. I’ll ask the front desk to bring up a mattress for me to sleep on."He doesn't sound angry or d

(Natasha)Lily is lying on her back in the center of her playmat, her dark eyes tracking a plush toy dangling above her.We spent the last hour working on tummy time, and now she’s enjoying a well-deserved rest.Eleanor walks into the room, stopping in her tracks when she sees me sitting on the floor.A few weeks ago, this encounter would have sparked a bitter argument.The air would have cracked with insults and thinly veiled threats.But Eleanor has been surprisingly civil lately.She lowers herself onto the edge of the velvet sofa near the playmat.The stiff, formal matriarch leans forward and her sharp gaze softens drastically as she watches her granddaughter kick her tiny legs.Lily lets out a soft coo, waving a clenched fist in the air.Eleanor reaches down and offers her index finger. Lily immediately wraps her tiny hand around it, gripping tight.Watching them, a knot of lingering resentment loosens in my chest.Eleanor loves this little girl.The tenderness in her eyes can’t

(Nathanial)Piper stands in front of my desk, tapping her manicured fingernails against the surface.Julian lounges on the leather sofa in the corner, a smirk playing on his lips."You’re falling apart, Nathanial," Piper states, her voice sharp."Father expects the Bauer merger closed by the end of the month. Your sudden drop in productivity is an embarrassment to the Morton name."“Get out of my office, Piper," I tell her.My voice sounds hollow.I know Piper and Julian are salivating at the thought of me dropping the ball.They’ve hated me since the moment my mother married their father, and that hatred only increased when it became clear that I was a brilliant businessman and a real contender to take over the company some day.But all I can think about is that Nat’s dead.My sweet little sister is gone, and I’ll never get to apologize for leaving her behind.For not refusing to leave without her.Julian chuckles from the sofa.“He’s mourning, Piper. Give the golden boy a break."Ju

(Natasha)The Warren estate is packed with guests.Eleanor loves any opportunity to entertain and the Christmas season brings a sea of sharp suits and designer gowns into the grand living room.Standing in front of the mirror in my bedroom, I stare at my reflection as I step into a breathtaking, crimson-red gown.The color creates a striking contrast against my blonde hair and blue eyes.The bodice is tailored tight with a daring, plunging neckline, while the skirt flares out into a sweeping silhouette of layered tulle.Intricate, glittering beadwork covers the fabric in explosive starburst patterns that catch the light with every subtle movement I make.The woman looking back at me is fierce and ready for war.Stepping out of the room, I walk toward the grand staircase, stopping in at the nursery to make sure Lily is still sleeping peacefully.I can’t resist the urge to press a kiss to the top of her head, leaving behind a faint impression of my matte red lips.The low hum of convers

(Natasha)The drawing room buzzes with the sound of Eleanor’s guests.The string quartet is playing a lively, hollow tune. But the social adrenaline is fading from my bloodstream.Chase hasn’t come back and I can only assume he’s spending the night with Sonia.I don’t know why I’m even allowing that space in my head.I leave Lily with the night nurse and go looking for a quiet corner to breathe.The second-floor corridor is shut tight against the noise below.A sliver of warm light spills from the corner study.I push the door open and find Nathanial Morton slumped in a leather wingback chair.A half-empty crystal decanter rests beside him.The usually pristine corporate shark is drowning himself in scotch, and I doubt he’d like an audience.He holds a phone to his ear and looks like a man on the brink of a breakdown.I stay out of sight, wanting to make sure he’s okay before I leave him to it.His knuckles are white. His tie is missing. The top buttons of his shirt are undone."Fine.