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.”

dad now. Stop bugging me with this nonsense!” Samuel was curt and the line

dial tone, Natalie sighed quietly to herself. She stepped out of the phone booth, a relic

public phone booth?” a group of snickering girls from

kept silent. Her silence seemed to irk the girls, who took it as a slight. They couldn’t understand why Natalie, whose mother was rumored to

with that guy for ten years without marrying him.

wants her. She doesn’t even have anyone to show up

conference day. The school had let out early at four, and students had brought their parents back to

bowed, she made her

followed, their whispers and taunts

would head home once a week. Her bag was so heavy it left red marks on

road to cross to the bus stop on the other side, she

Chapter 38

up in front of her.

glanced at the girls behind Natalie before turning his attention to her and asked sternly. “Why didn’t you tell me about the

few seconds before softly