She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Empty Arms

(atasha)

My eyes blink open very slowly.

The ceiling above me is painted a dull, flat white. My inouth 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.

“Where is she? I need to see her.”

Mason looks down at our joined hands. His jaw tightens, and a look of deep regret crosses his face.

“Chase took her,” Mason explains gently.

“You suffered a severe hemorrhage right after the delivery. You’ve been in a coma for weeks. While you were unconscious, Chase used his legal rights as her father to discharge the baby. He took her to the Warren estate.”

I stare at him in pure shock.

Chase took our daughter away from me. How could he have done that?

“What about the bet?” I ask, my voice shaking with fear. “What about Jeffrey Bauer?”

Mason sighs heavily

“As soon as Bauer heard you were in a coma he told Nathanial he’d sign with them. I tried everything to change has mand, but he said without you he had no interest in working with us.”

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“So I lost the custody bet and now Chase gets full control. Will I ever be allowed to see my daughter?”

old, heavy dread settles in my chest,

“Give me your phone,” I tell Mason, sitting up despite the pain.

“I need to call him.”

Mason hands me his cell phone without arguing.

I dial Chase’s number from memory. It rings four times before someone finally answers.

“Chase is busy,” Eleanor Warren replies coldly. “What do you want, Stein?”

“It’s Natasha. I want to see my daughter,” I beg, gripping the phone tightly.

Tears spill rapidly down my cheeks.

“Please, Eleanor. I just woke up. I haven’t even held her yet. She’s mine too. Please let me see her.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Eleanor states firmly.

“The baby is being well-cared for here. We’re not exposing a premature infant to a hospital environment.”

Eleanor sniffs loudly. “You refused to listen to the doctor’s orders while you were pregnant, Natasha. She could have died because of your neglect. We’ll take care of her from now on.”

“You can’t keep her from me,” I sob, my voice breaking. “I’m her mother.”

“She’s a Warren,” Eleanor snaps back.

“You and Chase can discuss visitation once you’re out of the hospital. Focus on your own recovery. And don’t bother my son again until you’re completely well.”

The line goes dead and the phone slips from my fingers and falls onto the white hospital blanket.

A deep, agonizing sob rips out of my throat.

My chest aches with a pain so sharp it steals my breath.

I lost everything.

My daughter is gone, and her grandmother refuses to even let me see her face.

Mason immediately moves to the edge of the bed.

He pulls me forward and wraps his arms tightly around my shaking shoulders. He pulls me against his chest, holding me in a fierce, protective embrace.

I bury my face in his shirt and cry uncontrollably.

“I have you,” Mason whispers, resting his chin on the top of my head.

He rubs my back with a steady, gentle hand.

“I’m right here, Natasha. Let it out.”

“I want my baby,” I cry loudly, clutching his shirt in my fists.

“I know,” he says, his voice thick with genuine emotion.

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