A marriage built on schemes and calculation was never his cup of tea. The only reason they were still together was her reluctance to let go. Their peaceable coexistence hung on every sexual encounter they shared.

After all, he was a man with needs. And she was willing to give, to indulge without burden for those fleeting moments of joy.

Their so-called “happy” marriage was rooted in “harmonious” encounters. To the outside world, they seemed to be the perfect couple, but it was all an illusion.

Even Damon and Chloe sensed something off about their union, yet it somehow trudged on.

How could it be?

Ronald was spot-on. She only sought out Nathan to cement her standing in the company. Having the second son of the Harpers to back her up, no one dared to cross her.d2

Though her shares didn’t measure up to her uncle’s, she remained unscathed in the corporate world. Nathan was biding his time for a divorce, and she hungered for more shares. If Ronald offered his shares to her, then there was no need to keep Nathan dangling.

As for continuing with Ronald? Her lips, pressed tightly together, lost their color under the pressure of her teeth.

Divorcing Nathan. Could Anya handle it?

Anya adored Nathan. If they split for good, she’d have to cut ties completely.

Ronald was right. The longer she waited, the more Anya would suffer. If Nathan got wind of anything, or decided to dig deeper, she risked losing Anya too.

No, she couldn’t afford to lose Anya.

Yet something unformed within her swayed her decisions.

Nathan hadn’t slept well, but a two-hour nap did wonders for his spirits. He was so hungry he felt like he could eat a horse.

Descending the stairs, there was Anya, gyrating in the living room, her small arms flailing to some incomprehensible dance on TV.

Nathan cast a disdainful glance her way and let out a dismissive “tch.”

Anya, hearing him, scurried over, “Nathan, you’re up?”

He raised an eyebrow, ruffling his hair as he headed for the kitchen. When he didn’t see Yulia in the living room, he casually asked, “Where’s your mom?”

“She…” Anya paused, then corrected, “Nathan, Yulipop is my big sister. Don’t get it twisted, or she’ll have trouble getting hitched someday.”

Nathan froze, turned, and looked down at Anya, “You looking for trouble, young lady?”

Anya pouted, “What’s wrong?”

Nathan couldn’t be bothered to argue with a toddler. Waving her off, he continued toward the dining area.

“Forget it. Not your mom, your sister. Where’d she go anyway?”

Anya toddled after him, clutching his pants, following him to the fridge.

As Nathan rifled through the fridge for food, Anya piped up, “Mister Ronald swung by today, and Mom went out with him.”

Nathan’s hand paused mid-search, and he turned to Anya, “She went out with who?”

Anya blinked innocently, “With Mister Ronald.”

Nathan’s face darkened.

But Anya, oblivious, cheerily added, “I asked Mister Ronald if he likes Yulipop, and he said he does.”

Nathan fell silent.

then I told him, he can only like

but it was

she went out with

“When did they leave?”

Yulipop skipped

with Ronald for hours? And they hadn’t returned since

him as

looking up

So, she had an exit

in a puff. Scooping up Anya, he set her

off the sofa, “Nathan,

to eat.

from the balcony, with a pair of pink

I saved you

“Don’t bother.”

and ready, Nathan yanked the door open, inadvertently pulling Yulia, who was on the other side, into the room. After a few seconds, it was Yulia who spoke first, “Let’s

Nathan scoffed, “I’m busy.”

together, “Then we’ll talk

with another man while leaving Anya home alone? Had

did

eyes, which were frosty as he stared

her mouth to respond, then realized something and went silent. Her silence was confirmation enough for Nathan, fueling his rage. He pushed past her

slam shut behind him. She steadied herself against the wall just in time

a second, and Anya watched him go with a worried

for Anya’s hand with a gentle tug. “Have you had lunch

“Yeah, but Nathan

but reassuring. “He’s a grown man, and he won’t let

again, though she couldn’t

smile faded as she

made a beeline for the bar he’d been at

crowded yet. The

even darker than yesterday, if that was possible. God only knew what this spoiled boy wanted this time. It

best VIP section, Nathan showed no interest. He just ordered a slew of

to keep me

sent for some

Nathan, the ladies

grunted in response, poured a shot, and downed it without so much as glancing at them. At first, they stood patiently, but as time dragged on, they

heavily. Such

nothing they

Nathan. One by one, they took their seats next

He leaned back, drank when his glass was full, and remained the center

with Nathan

the women

“Who’s that?”

that’s the Harper family’s second son.

got married? Has a kid too, right? And here he

over a woman, ended up in the slammer. His wife had to bail

out and

patrons murmured among themselves, and the

in a white dress entered, holding a bag. She scanned the room

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

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