She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19 The Realization

(Chase)

Out of habit, I arrive at the conference room early.

My mind is entirely focused on the business battle ahead and I’m looking forward to a few minutes of quiet to gather my arguments.

But when I push the door open, I stop dead in my tracks.

Natasha is already there.

She’s sitting near the large window, leaning slightly toward Mason Stein.

Speaking softly to him, she looks completely relaxed.

A genuine, easy smile touches her lips and her carefree expression causes a strange ache in my chest.

It’s been years since I’ve seen her smile that way.

Seen her look as radiant as she does right now.

Anger quickly replaces my brief nostalgia.

Walking into the room, I knock my knuckles sharply against the long table.

“Are we ready to begin?” I ask coldly, pulling out a leather chair and sitting directly across from them.

Mason frowns at me, “We’re waiting for Nathanial. Your business partner.”

His tone is full of disdain, but all I’m aware of is the way Natasha’s smile disappears the moment she sees me.

Nathanial walks into the room a few minutes later, carrying a thick stack of files.

“Let’s get straight to the point,” Nathanial announces, looking between Mason and me.

“Jeffrey Bauer is hesitating. Having two separate offers from us is confusing his board. It will be in everyone’s best interest if one of us withdraws our offer.”

The meeting officially starts.

Throughout the entire discussion, Natasha speaks very sparingly.

She never looks directly at me.

Yet, every single time I attempt to steer the conversation toward my company’s strengths, she blocks me.

She stays exactly one step ahead of my every move.

“Warren Global has the massive server network required to support Bauer’s user data,” I state firmly.

“We can guarantee a faster migration.”

“Mason’s firm already secured the necessary cloud storage contracts,” Natasha replies smoothly.

“We can execute the data transfer immediately, with better safety protocols.”

Whenever Mason speaks they seem to communicate wordlessly.

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A small nod tells him to push harder. A slight shift of her shoulder tells him to hold back. They work together flawlessly.

Forcing myself to remain calm takes all my energy.

Showing anger or instability right now is a terrible idea.

Nathanial is watching my every move like a hawk.

I can’t let him see me lose control of my own wife.

Leaning forward, I try to use my authority and our shared history to shut her down.

“You know our systems inside and out, Natasha,” I remind her, keeping my voice low and hard.

“You helped build them. You know exactly who we are. Mason can’t match our long-term security, and you know it.”

“Past performance does not guarantee future results, Chase,” she answers with calm precision.

“The current data clearly favors Mason’s proposal. Our firm is much more adaptable than yours.”

Hearing her call Mason’s firm ours is a gut punch.

And her smart, fast answers leave me feeling a deep sense of admiration.

She’s still brilliant at her job..

A heavy feeling of guilt hits me.

I pushed this amazing woman away.

I treated her like an annoyance instead of a partner.

An hour into the tense meeting, Natasha suddenly stops taking notes.

She drops her pen on the table and her skin grows pale and clammy.

Swaying slightly in her chair, she looks very unsteady.

She’s gripping the edge of the glass table to keep herself upright.

Panic flares in my chest instantly.

Pushing my chair back loudly, I immediately move to her side.

“I’m taking you to the hospital,” I tell her, reaching out to support her arm.

She looks at me and her expression turns to stone.

“Don’t touch me,” she orders quietly.

Stopping in my tracks, I drop my hand to my side.

“Natasha, you’re clearly unwell,” I say, trying to hide my fear.

“You need to see a doctor right now.”

“The only thing I need from you is your signature on the divorce papers,” she replies.

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Her voice is totally steady. “Nothing else.”

Nathanial watches us with sharp, calculating eyes.

“I think we should move forward with our divorce proceedings immediately,” Natasha continues, holding my

gaze.

“Especially now that your mistress is pregnant.”

Staring down at her, a shocking realization washes over me.

She’s looking at me like I’m a complete stranger.

I suddenly find myself having absolutely no desire to divorce her.

For the first time in a very long time, I truly see Natasha.

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