Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Natalie remained silent.

“Is Nate tucked in?” He thought for a moment, then whispered softly.

“Just went to bed.” Natalie deliberately lowered her voice, softer than usual, “I was about to help him change into his pajamas.”

“Got a call from his teacher.” Brian spoke after a brief pause, showing an effort to start a conversation, “Why did he get into a fight?”

“Just a little tiff with those kids,” Natalie replied evasively.

The subject of Nate’s mom was a tricky one for Natalie and Brian to discuss, so she decided to drop it altogether.

Brian knew she was dodging the question and fell silent. If it hadn’t been for Audrey, perhaps this would’ve been the life Brian always wanted.

But Audrey and her appearance had been nothing but a sham from start to finish.

He was about to continue when he felt a twinge of pain in the corner of his mouth where Natalie had hit him the day before. He touched it instinctively, “Ouch…”

Natalie heard the strain in his voice but said nothing.

“Brian?” From a short distance away, Remington’s mother called out to Brian softly, gesturing to the fruit bowl in her hand. Brian waved her off, indicating he wasn’t interested.

Natalie heard a woman’s voice and thought he was with Madelyn, so she politely said, “You go ahead with what you’re doing. I can help you look after the kid for a few days.” With that, she hung up.

A flicker of annoyance passed through Brian as he stared at the darkened screen of his phone, frowning.

What did she mean? Help him?

“You guys just separated for an hour or two, why the phone call again?” Quinton teased Brian as he walked in.

Brian ignored him, heading straight through the living room and out the door without a word.

“Someone has got a short fuse,” Quinton muttered under his breath as he watched Brian leave.

Remington thoughtfully glanced in the direction Brian had disappeared, then quietly said, “He wasn’t calling Madelyn.”

“Then it must be Gracia, huh?”

But Remington just smiled slightly and kept silent.

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11.16

Chapter 42

Quinton didn’t understand Brian as well, but Remington knew Brian wasn’t this gentle with Gracia.

To this observer, although Brian never spoke the word ‘love‘, it was clear he was deeply smitten, even if he didn’t know it himself.

Yet, he also resented how Audrey and Natalie had shattered the Howard family. These complex emotions made it hard for Brian to find a balance.

One could only call it karma.

At 3 a.m., Natalie stirred from her sleep and felt as though someone was watching her, making her uncomfortable. She sat up groggily.

Nate was sleeping soundly beside her, resting his head on her arm.

As Natalie reached for the nightlight, suddenly, someone grabbed her hand from the side of the bed.

She shuddered, instinctively ready to defend herself, but then she was enveloped by a familiar scent, “Don’t move.”

Recognizing Brian’s voice, she relaxed and stopped struggling. In the dim light, she looked at Brian and whispered, “Are you here for Nate?”

But Brian just stared at her, silent.

Natalie frowned, puzzled by his intense gaze, “Sorry for interrupting your evening. I should’ve been more proactive and taken Nate over to the Howard family earlier.”

‘Interrupting your evening?‘

At her words, Brian darkened his expression instantly.

“Natalie, sometimes I want to cut open your heart and to have a look.” He tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her to her feet.

Natalie winced in pain but bit her lip and remained quiet.

“Besides, since I’ve been disturbed, shouldn’t you be the one to make amends?” He snaked an arm around her waist and hissed into her ear menacingly.