Chapter 20
Natalie’s mocking words echoed in her mind. “So what if you’re my mother? When I was wrongly accused, you always chose to believe Joanna. If you had shown me even a sliver of genuine affection, I wouldn’t have cut ties with you so easily. But did you? Ever?”
Wendy’s heart ached. Every time Joanna got into trouble, she blamed Natalie. The daughter she had raised with her own hands was so sweet and considerate. She was nothing like the wild, untamed Natalie. She had given all her love to Joanna, and had never once believed her own daughter when she was suffering. The thought was a torment.
“Wendy? Wendy.”
Nathan’s voice pulled her back to the present. “What is it?” she asked.
He stood up, his face a mask of concern. “Wendy, have you been feeling unwell lately? You seem so distracted. Maybe I should take you to the hospital tomorrow. Are you sick?”
Wendy froze. Was it that obvious? Natalie’s words had thrown her into a state of turmoil. “Do I look sick to you?” she asked, her brow furrowed.
Nathan frowned. “Well, yes, you do. You’re not focused, and you’re always spacing out. Wendy, women go through menopause. Maybe you should get it checked out.”
Wendy’s eye twitched. Was he saying she was menopausal? “So, you think I’m menopausal and should be locked up in a hospital?” A seed of resentment began to sprout in her heart.
Natalie’s other words came back to her. “In fact, your tragic fate is about to begin. And not just yours, but your four sons’ and your parents’ as well.” What the hell did that mean?
Wendy stood up abruptly, her anger boiling over. “Nathan, do you not know what I’m so upset about?”
Nathan’s eyes flickered. He didn’t say anything. Had she really found out? After all these years, she had never suspected a thing. Any suspicion she had should have been squashed by now.
“Nathan, do you not know that Ceryn Corp. has terminated our contract? Our company has been struggling for the past two years, and we can’t seem to land any new deals. I’m so stressed out I can barely function, and you’re telling me I’m
menopausal?”
“Seeing me so upset, shouldn’t you, as my husband, be getting up early every morning to pray for my success?”
Nathan let out a silent sigh of relief. He walked over to her and put his arm around her. “Alright, Wendy. I’ll get up early tomorrow morning and pray for you. I have a business dinner tonight, so I’ll be back late.”
Wendy’s expression was neutral.
She nodded wearily. “Alright. Go on. I’m going to bed early. I have a meeting with the general manager of Ceryn Corp. tomorrow morning need to find a way to meet with their CEO and discuss the partnership.”
Nathan knew about Ceryn Corp. They had approached them for a partnership two years ago. Why had they suddenly pulled out? He didn’t dwell on it. Thèse things happened in business. It was probably just a misunderstanding. But it wasn’t his problem. All he had to do was collect his share of the profits and enjoy his life.
After Wendy went upstairs, Nathan went to the garage and drove off.
Wendy stood by the second-floor window, watching his car disappear down the
street. Her face was grim. She sent a text message.
[Follow him. I want to know everyone he meets.]