She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35 The Cold Shoulder

(Sonia)

Walking into the Warren estate dining room feels like stepping into a trap.

Friday evening dinner was supposed to be my triumpli.

Eleanor invited me to stay for the weekend, a gesture meant to secure my place in this family.

Instead, I’m forced to watch a nightmare unfold.

Natasha sits across the long mahogany table, looking sickeningly radiant.

She feeds the baby while Eleanor watches with an adoring smile.

Eleanor actually passed the breadbasket to Natasha and complimented her blouse.

The cold, ruthless matriarch who promised to help me secure Chase’s ring is treating my worst enemy like a beloved daughter.

Chase isn’t even looking at me.

His eyes are locked on Natasha and the child.

He watches his wife with a dark, intense focus that makes my stomach churn.

Every time Natasha laughs at something stupid Lily does, Chase’s face lights with undeniable possessiveness.

The silence at my end of the table is suffocating.

Losing my grip on this family is happening right in front of my eyes.

Faking my sister’s death in the hospital records was supposed to solve my problems.

It was supposed to sever Nathanial’s obsession and keep Natasha’s true identity buried forever.

Instead, she’s sitting at the center of the table, stealing everything that belongs to me.

Saturday morning, I storm into Nathanial’s executive office at Morton Enterprises.

I need his help to force Chase’s hand.

“You have to do something,” I demand, dropping my designer handbag onto the leather sofa.

“Natasha’s living at the estate again. Eleanor is actually tolerating her and Chase barely spoke two words to me all night. They’re treating me like a nobody.”

Nathanial sits behind his heavy desk, not even looking up at my terrible news.

He’s staring blankly at a piece of paper resting in front of him.

It’s the fake death certificate I orchestrated.

“Nathanial, are you listening to me?”

He slowly raises his head. His eyes are bloodshot, rimmed with deep exhaustion.

The staunch defender who always jumps to my defense is gone, replaced by a broken shell of a man.

177

+15 Agnus

“She died five years ago, Sonia,” Nathaniel whispers, his voice cracking.

My private investigator confirmed it. Nat is gone. I waited too long to find her.”

Frustration boils over, hot and fast.

“So she’s dead,” I snap, leaning over his desk.

“She’s been gone since we were children. You need to focus on the sister who’s actually alive. I’m pregnant with Chase Warren’s heir, and his wife is trying to ruin my future.”

Nathanial looks at me, but his gaze is entirely empty.

He isn’t seeing me. He’s too lost in his grief for a ghost.

“I’m sorry Sonia, but I can’t help you with Chase right now. Maybe you should try talking to him.”

Gritting my teeth, I turn on my heel and march out of his office.

The hallway outside is quiet, but my mind races with panic.

My brother is being useless.

Eleanor is switching sides.

Chase is enchanted by his newly slim wife and I am entirely isolated.

“Trouble in paradise, little sister?”

The mocking voice stops me in my tracks.

Leaning against the glass wall near the elevators is Julian, my step-brother.

He’s a year older than Nathaniel and we’ve never been close.

Julian thrives on chaos and loves finding the weaknesses in others and exploiting them.

He has even less interest in the Morton family business than I do.

All he cares about is looking good and living the high life.

If he wasn’t so jealous of the attention his father gave me, we may have actually been friends.

“Mind your own business, Julian,” I tell him, pressing the elevator button.

He chuckles, a dark, low sound. Pushing off the wall, he steps uncomfortably close.

“You look frantic, Sonia,” Julian observes, his brown eyes scanning my face.

“It’s a bad look for you. What’s the matter? Is the billionaire slipping through your fingers?”

“Everything’s fine.”

“Liar,” he taunts smoothly.

“I heard the rumors. Chase moved his wife back into the mansion. And here you are, running to Nathaniel for comfort, only to find our golden boy crying over your dead sibling.”

Julian smiles, showing straight white teeth. The expression is entirely devoid of warmth.

+15 Bgnus

“You’re losing your grip,” Julian whispers, leaning closer.

ou backed yourself into a corner with this fake pregnancy, didn’t you?”

My breath catches.

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