She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 123

(James)

I sit in my car in the St. Jude’s parking structure for ten minutes before gathering the courage to pull my phone out.

I haven’t spoken to Evie in thirty years.

I built an entire life, a medical career, and a wall of silence between me and the rest of my family, specifically to ensure I never had to deal with what I found out.

Evie was right at the center of it.

And if I could have gone the rest of my life without speaking to her again, I would have gladly taken it.

But Lily’s kidneys could start failing at any point.

And while Nathanial is a possible match, he’s not the closest family Natasha has.

I didn’t do right by Nat when Will died of a broken heart, helped along by rivers of booze.

But I’m not making the same mistake with her daughter.

I pull Nathanial Morton’s cell number from the hospital donor registry and hit dial.

"Morton," he answers. He sounds wired.

"It’s James Bailey."

A short, hard silence.

"Is it Lily?"

"No. Her numbers are stable. I need your mother’s address."

"Why the hell do you need my mother's address?"

"Since you’re a possible match for Lily, I think she may be too. I’d like to ask her in person to come and be tested," I say, doing my best to keep my voice even.

I’m not a good liar. It’s part of the reason I couldn’t be around Will.

I knew too much and couldn’t live with looking into the eyes of the people I loved most in the world and not telling them.

Coming clean wasn’t a more attractive option.

Nathaniel isn't stupid. He knows I’m not telling him the truth.

He hesitates.

The static hum of the connection stretches out.

Finally, he rattles off an address that stalls my breath in my chest.

Evie is staying at Will’s old place in Shell Cove.

I know it was sold at auction after his death to cover his debts. Maybe she’s renting it.

Surely she wouldn’t have bought the place where they spent so many family vacations together.

Not after what she did.

I walk up the stone path and press the silver intercom button.

I wait.

A minute later, the lock disengages and the door swings open.

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