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

out of the phone booth, a relic in an age where almost everyone

in, using a public phone booth?” a group of snickering girls from her class passed by, stinging

the girls, who took it as a slight. They couldn’t understand why

for ten years without marrying him. What’s she so proud

She doesn’t

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

slightly bowed, she made her way

and taunts continuing to chase after her.

week. Her bag was so heavy it left red marks on

cross to the bus stop on the other side, she

Chapter 38

pulled up in front of

behind Natalie before turning his attention to her and asked sternly. “Why

few seconds before softly calling