“Anathea!” Natalie snapped, her voice sharp with irritation.
Subordinate? Anathea had the nerve to call her a subordinate? Tha smug, condescending tone, like she owned the place, made Natalie want to scream.
But Anathea didn’t spare a second glance at Natalie’s flushed face he simply turned and walked straight into the living room.
The very next second, Natalie stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “What are you so smug about, huh? Greg hasn’t even come back here the past few days, has he? That’s because he doesnt want to see you!”
She knew Gregory had been crashing in his office lately, buried in work, but she said that anyway just to get under Anathea’s
skin.
“You say that like I’ve been dying to see him.” Anathea was unbothered by her provocation. “He’s just a man. If you want him so badly, go ahead. He’s all yours.”
Natalie blinked, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Anathea to be this indifferent, like she didn’t care at all.
But that was exactly what stung the most. Because what Anathea didn’t care about was the very thing Natalie had always wanted.
If Anathea hadn’t shown up out of nowhere back then, Natalie would’ve been the one standing at Gregory’s side.
The loved took it for granted, while the unloved never stopped craving it.
“You don’t even love Greg, so why are you still clinging to him?” Natalie asked.
“Maybe you should ask them,” Anathea said, cutting a look at the bodyguards by the door. The moment she tried to leave, they would stop her.
“What a lame excuse.” Natalie scoffed. “If you really wanted to go, what difference would a few bodyguards make? It’s not like they could physically keep you here.”
A flicker of thought passed through Anathea’s eyes, but she said nothing more. She walked around Natalie and headed into the living room.
When she was ignored, Natalie glared at Anathea, but the corner of her lips tugged into a smile.
Because no matter how composed Anathea looked, Natalie had caught that slight flicker of doubt in her eyes.
And sometimes, a crack was all it took.
That afternoon, Anathea sat on the couch arranging the flowers on the table.
She wasn’t allowed to leave, but Jenny had brought her plenty of blooms to help pass the time and ease her mood.
“Mom!” Xander’s voice called from outside.
The moment school ended, he rushed home and ran straight to Anathea, eagerly offering her the candy he got today.
Last time, he’d used these to cheer her up, so this time he’d traded even more for them. He’d even given up one of the lucky charms from Eleanor to get extra pieces.
Anathea accepted the candy but didn’t open it right away. Instead, she asked gently, “Is your dad going to the parent–teacher meeting tomorrow?”
“Mr. Chadstone said Dad’s going on a business trip, so he can’t.” Xander’s face fell. He looked disappointed.
Deep down, he really wanted Anathea to go instead. Gregory was too strict and made him feel on edge, but Anathea was gentle. He just felt more at ease around her.
Chapter 380
But Gregory was always hogging her. He was way too stingy.
Nander grumbled silently to himself.
Then, to his surprise, Anathea smiled softly and said, “How about attend the meeting tomorrow?”
His eyes lit up like stars at those words. “Really?”
“Mm–hmm.” Anathea nodded, then gave a small, troubled sigh. But those guards outside…”
“Don’t worry, Mom. Leave it to me!” Xander puffed up his chest and thumped it proudly.
Anathea smiled. “Alright.”
+25 BONUS
That evening, Louie arrived with Sienna Walsh, a female doctor, to check on Anathea..
“Mrs. Sinclair, your condition is improving. Just make sure to avoid any intense emotional stress,” Sienna said.
Anathea nodded, then asked, “Do I need to stay in bed?”
“No, light activity is fine. Just avoid overexertion or anything too physically demanding, especially intercourse.”
Anathea pressed her lips together. “Understood.”
When Sienna gave her the injection, Anathea didn’t resist. But as the needle pierced her skin, her face turned pale, and her teeth sank silently into her lip.
