She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14 The Consent Form

(Natasha)

It feels like the tight pressure in my stomach is easing slightly, but panic still makes my heart race.

I lie sideways against the soft leather, breathing in short gasps.

Looking up, I watch Nathanial in the rearview mirror.

He’s driving very fast, but he’s clearly in complete control.

One of his hands grips the steering wheel tight. His other hand reaches back between the seats.

He doesn’t touch me, but he keeps his hand close, offering silent support.

“Take deep breaths, Natasha,” he says quietly.

“Tell me about the pain. Is it a sharp stabbing pain, or a dull ache?”

“It isn’t exactly pain,” I whisper back, trying to catch my breath.

“It’s just extreme pressure. Everything feels incredibly tight.”

“We’re almost there,” he promises.

“Just focus on my voice. Keep breathing.”

A strange feeling washes over me in the quiet car.

I actually feel safe.

The feeling is completely instinctive and impossible to explain.

I don’t try to fight it.

If my older brother hadn’t left with my mother all those years ago, maybe he would act exactly like this. 2

He would make me feel safe and cared for.

Pulling into the emergency zone of St. Jude’s Hospital, the doors fly open before Nathanial even turns off the engine. 1

“Get a wheelchair right now!” someone yells.

I recognize Mason’s voice immediately.

He runs to the side of the car, looking pale and terrified. Gloria is right behind him.

Nathanial ignores them both.

He opens my door and gently lifts me out of the car again, placing me carefully into the wheelchair a nurse pushes forward.

“What happened?” Mason demands.

He walks beside the chair as we enter the hospital doors.

“Is it the baby? Gloria just told me you collapsed.

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“She couldn’t breathe,” Nathanial answers shortly.

“I brought her straight here. You should call her doctor.”

“Thank you for bringing her, Nathanial,” Gloria says. Her voice is tight but sincere.

“We’ll take it from here.”

Nurses quickly roll me into a private room and hook me up to several monitors.

Cold gel goes on my stomach, and the loud, fast sound of my baby’s heartbeat suddenly fills the room.

Tears of pure relief burn my eyes.

The baby is alive.

A doctor walks in a few minutes later, looking closely at the monitor, before reading the rolling paper printing out from the machine.

“You’re experiencing false contractions,” the doctor explains calmly.

“The baby is perfectly fine, but your body is giving you a serious warning.”

“What do we need to do?” Gloria asks from the corner of the room.

“Is there medication she should take?”

“No. This can’t be treated with a pill. She needs complete rest,” the doctor answers, turning to face us.

“She must remain under close observation for the night. Once she’s discharged I’d recommend bed rest. Avoid stress and emotional shocks. If this happens again it could easily trigger real, early labor.”

“I want to stay with her,” Mason says instantly.

He steps closer to the bed and gently takes my hand.

“We need a family member to sign the consent forms for overnight observation,” a nurse says, walking into the room with a plastic clipboard.

“I can sign as her emergency contact,” Mason says, reaching out to take the pen.

Before Mason’s fingers touch the clipboard, a large hand reaches past him.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m an actual family member.”

The deep, cold voice makes everyone in the room freeze.

Chase steps fully into the bright light of the hospital room, glaring at Mason with pure hatred.

“Step away from my wife,” Chase orders.

Mason doesn’t move. He holds his ground, keeping his hand wrapped tightly around mine.

“You lost the right to act like her husband months ago,” Mason shoots back loudly.

“You should leave. The doctor just said she can’t handle any more stress.”

“I said, step away,” Chase repeats softly, his voice full of threat.

“I’m her husband, not you.”

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The nurse looks between the two men, frowning in confusion.

The last time she saw Chase, he was signing papers for Sonia.

She holds the clipboard tightly against her chest, stepping back slightly.

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