Wife by Day, Boss by Night by Thalia Quillspeak

hapter 23

Brian gripped her with a ferocity that seemed to scream hatred. Natalie tried to break free, but he pinned her effortlessly against the wall. In just a few seconds, she tasted the faint.

sweetness mixed with the metallic tang of blood between her teeth.

Her face went pale. Fragments of that night years ago flashed through Natalie’s mind.

As a young girl, whenever she looked up to Brian, she couldn’t help but fantasize about the tenderness he might show if he ever kissed her.

She couldn’t deny that she had harbored a cautious affection for him, never daring to reveal a trace of it to anyone else. She knew she shouldn’t fall for him, fearing that if he ever found out, he would cast her out.

Brian had been the light of Natalie’s life. He was someone she loved to her core. But Brian would never be gentle with her. Never. She knew he had always hated her. He hated how Audrey had shattered his parents‘ marriage and hated her by extension. Audrey leaving with a stash of cash only intensified his disdain.

Brian didn’t realize Natalie had been crying until he tasted the salty bitterness of her tears.

He let her go.

into his eyes and saw nothing but indifference. After a moment, she spoke softly, “I will pay back the debt Audrey owes you. And for the record, I had

make amends for Audrey’s wrongdoings but would not admit to faults that

sneer when she brought up the past, mocking her in a soft voice. “How will you pay me back? With the help of Shawn, Gavin? Or

car. He just had to check the lease agreement for

my business,” Natalie said, cleaning her tears, her voice devoid

the Howard mansion and

and said firmly, “I told you I’d pay you

she turned and

couldn’t help but let out a scoff. But in the end, he said nothing more and stormed out,

1040

Chapter 23

after he left, Natalie quickly locked the door

the bathroom to