Wife by Day, Boss by Night

Chapter 56

“The contract is on the table. Sign it in the morning,” his voice, hot with a hint of urgency, whispered

close enough for his breath to graze her forehead.

Natalie tensed her body, snapping her eyes open.

He leaned in, his lips grazing the exposed collarbone peeking out from her pajama top.

Her shoulders and neck were places she dreaded his touch the most, betraying her with a shiver as his

lips met her skin. Instinctively, she bit down on her lower lip.

His hand found her ear, forcing her to turn and face him.

Clenching her teeth, Natalie braced herself against his advance. In the moment before their lips could

touch, she found her voice. “Brian, what do you think Davis and the rest would say if they knew?”

Brian paused, their eyes locked in a silent confrontation.

Natalie exhaled slowly, gathering the courage to continue. “I’ve said before that I’ll find a way to pay

you back. But not like this.”

There were things she needed to make clear tonight. He had Madelyn, Gracia, and even a son. She

didn’t know the full story behind their relationship, but she was adamant about not getting dragged into

their affairs. Her return was solely for Matthew’s sake to fight the cancer that was robbing him of his

breath.

“Audrey wrecked both our lives and decimated the Howard family, but we can’t let her mistakes dictate

our future and continue the destruction. Even if I ended up with a man less of a catch than Shawn, at

least he’d offer me the dignity of a wife. At least with him, I’d be in an equal. partnership.”

Equality was something she and Brian never had. After Audrey’s scandal, the chasm between them

only grew wider.

The whole Howard family despised her. Though she bore no ill will towards them, guilt weighed heavy

on her heart, especially whenever she saw Nate, who reminded Natalie of her and Brian’s son, Zephyr.

“We’ve reached a point where being together is just mutual torture,” she whispered to him.

Before she could finish, Brian cut her off with a frosty retort, “Then let it be mutual torture. Natalie, I’ve

told you before, you owe me your life. You’ll never be able to repay that debt! And if I find out Gavin has

been here again, I’ll ensure Global Entertainment is wiped off the map of Streamville.”

The night he tracked the FireWing signal to this building, he discovered Gavin had been here. boldly

stepping into her house while Nate was present.

“You…” Natalie frowned, a hint of worry creasing her brow at the mention of Gavin.

11:25

Fueled by his growing irritation at the thought, Brian abruptly let go of Natalie, grabbed the blanket from

the bed, and strode into the living room to crash on the couch.

She watched him leave. After a moment, she turned over and pulled Nate back into her embrace.

But sleep eluded her, her eyes shut against the darkness, mind racing.

In the hazy morning light, she listened as Brian took Nate to the bathroom to freshen up. Fighting the

urge to stay in bed, she rose, only to find Brian and Nate already gone.

She walked to the living room, where a plate of sandwiches sat next to two thin agreements.

Picking one up, she noted the clarity of the terms. According to the terms, she should stay by his side

for a year and comply with any demand. After that, all debts were forgiven, both free of

each other.

Brian’s bold signature was already etched at the bottom.

Staring at the “all debts forgiven,” Natalie mulled over it for what felt like forever. Finally, she picked up

the pen from the table and signed her name, sealing her fate.