59.3%

Chapter 9

Claire slipped in with her practiced timid act: “There’s an urgent document from Finance that needs your signature.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened. Dead silence.

“Since when does Operations handle Finance paperwork?” I took a deliberate bite of the perfectly peeled apple.

Claire glanced at Nathan, her voice dripping vulnerability. “I’m leaving the company soon. Just helping out while 1 wrap things up.”

“Leaving?” I turned to Nathan. “Your assistant’s quitting?”

Nathan methodically wiped his hands with a Kleenex, looking almost amused. “I’m running a Fortune 500 company. You think I track every HR detail?”

Claire’s lashes fluttered, tears welling perfectly. “Mrs. Pierce, I know this isn’t appropriate, but Cooper’s father wants

us to relocate to London-”

“That’s enough.” Nathan cut her off, standing. “My wife needs rest. We’ll handle this outside.”

A minute after they left, I was out of bed.

Around the corner by the service elevator, I caught Claire’s tearful performance:

“Cooper hasn’t seen you in a month. He keeps asking why Daddy won’t come home.”

“I agreed to London. Just give him one birthday dinner. Our son’s never even gotten a hug from his father.”

“Don’t we deserve a proper goodbye? Nathan…”

She looked up at him, the picture of helpless devotion in her Ann Taylor suit.

like

all smiles with the

be home in two days.

nodded. “Yes. I certainly

“Oh, that paperwork from Claire needs some attention. I’ll

met his eyes. “How long?”

already?” His practiced smile.

“Back by seven.”

Chapter 9

I closed

my eyes. “Perfect.”

5 PM. I signed my discharge

stunned. “Your

smiled. “I manage just fine alone.”

pulled up to her Greenwich community.

guard, same story about visiting a

her door, my phone buzzing with Nathan’s text: “What would you like for dinner from Jean–Georges,

iPhone and punched in

Click.

tableair: Cooper’s birthday cake from Magnolia, Claire playing doting mom, Nathan on his

phone.

cake sounds perfect.”

The singing stopped.

horror cracking her Stepford wife mask.

Hermès tie

and Daddy’s friend? Here for my party?” Cooper

gently. “Yes, sweetheart. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you!”

I talk to your

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255