Wife by Day, Boss by Night by Thalia Quillspeak

Chapter 38

When Natalie got home, she was feeling tired again. The last couple of days had been rough with her relatives visiting. It was a recurring nightmare every time they showed up over the

past three years.

If it hadn’t been for Nate, she would have gladly stayed indoors the entire time.

She made herself a cup of hot chocolate to soothe her pains and crashed on the couch. As the warmth offered a faint comfort, she slipped into a restless sleep.

“…your guardian has to come, it’s mandatory,” the voice echoed in her hazy dreamn, transporting her back to when she was fifteen.

The teacher had been insistent. One of her parents had to show up.

“There’s no way I’m going to that parent–teacher conference. You’re not even a Wright anymore. Let your mom handle it.” came Samuel’s irritable voice over the phone.

Natalie gripped the receiver, her silence lasting a few seconds before she spoke, “My mom… she left the country a couple of days ago. It wouldn’t be right to ask Kenneth to go.”

up with Kenneth Howard now, isn’t she? He’s your dad now. Stop bugging me with this nonsense!”

quietly to herself. She stepped out of the phone booth, a relic in an age where almost everyone

using a public phone booth?” a group of snickering girls from her class passed

as a slight. They couldn’t understand why Natalie, whose mother was rumored to be quite influential, didn’t have a cell

that guy for ten years without marrying him. What’s

She doesn’t even have anyone to

parent–teacher conference day. The school had let out early at four, and students had brought their parents back to the classrooms. Natalie, however, was alone.

slightly bowed, she made her way towards the

and taunts continuing to chase after her.

student, Natalie would head home once a week. Her bag was so heavy it left red marks on her hands, her fingers swollen

to cross to the bus stop on the other side, she hesitated. A

Chapter 38

up in

in the back seat glanced at the girls behind Natalie before turning his attention

few seconds before softly calling out