Wife by Day, Boss by Night by Thalia Quillspeak

Chapter 137
“Natalie...” His fingers gently tilted her chin up, his brows furrowed in concern.
“Brian!” Just then, a voice laced with sobs pierced through the silence from outside the front door. “Brian, are you there?! Can
you come out, please?”
“The Coast Guard has news about Robert!”
The mention of Robert paralyzed both Natalie and Brian who were seated on the couch.
Brian quickly let go of Natalie and stood up, hastily throwing on his clothes.
Natalie grabbed a throw blanket nearby to cover herself, her gaze flitting between Brian’s retreating figure and the direction of
the door.
Outside was Madelyn.
Natalie had just assumed Madelyn was upstairs, sleeping soundly.
The commotion had also roused Sadie, the maid who quickly got dressed. Upon seeing Brian standing in the living room, she
jumped in surprise. Fumbling for the light switch, she blurted out, “Mr. Howard, where have you been? Why didn’t you...”
Her words trailed off as she caught sight of Natalie sitting on the couch. Their eyes locked, and the unfinished sentence hung in
the air.
Natalie, snugly wrapped in the blanket, managed a weak smile at Sadie and softly called out, “Sadie.”

Sadie stood dumbfounded for a moment before nodding and respectfully replying, “Miss.”
“The Coast Guard just called me, Brian...” Madelyn’s voice continued from outside, now tinged with the signs of a breakdown.
Brian, buttoning up his shirt, cast a complex glance at Natalie.
Their eyes met briefly before Natalie looked away, focusing her attention elsewhere.
“Take her upstairs to rest,” Brian instructed Sadie in a low voice, after a few seconds of thought, having slipped on his clothes.
Natalie didn’t feel like she belonged here. The moment Brian was out of sight, she planned to slip away. This place just wasn’t for
her.
She remained silent. Brian, having reached the door and not hearing a response, hesitated, then turned back to look at Natalie.
“Choose between Michael’s arm and staying at Majestic Meadows Manor,” he said. Without waiting for an answer, he strode out
the door.
Natalie couldn’t help but frown. Clearly, this was not a choice but a coercion to stay.
Chapter 137
Sadie glanced outside and then turned to Natalie, adjusting the blanket around her more securely.
Sadie didn’t understand why Brian had suddenly brought Natalie home, but since she was back, she would be looked after as
before.

Leading Natalie to Brian’s room, Sadie pulled a fresh bathrobe from the wardrobe and handed it to her, her eyes lingering on the
red mark on Natalie’s arm from where Brian had gripped her. “Mr. Howard had a bit too much to drink tonight. He’s not himself,”
Sadie whispered.
Considering what Davis had said earlier, it was no wonder Brian was emotionally volatile.
Head bowed, Natalie said nothing.
“You’ll have to make do with Mr. Howard’s clothes for tonight. I’ll ask Reid to bring some of yours tomorrow.” Sadie added softly.
“Okay.” Natalie nodded. She still remembered the day of the incident when the entire Howard family had turned their backs on
her, except for Sadie, who had wrapped her in a blanket and shielded her. After taking her to her room, Sadie handed her a cup
of milk.
She would never forget Sadie’s kindness for as long as she lived.
“The bathwater is ready. I’ll leave you to it,” Sadie said, giving Natalie another look.
As Sadie moved to leave, Natalie hesitated, then suddenly called out, “Sadie. Can I ask your something?”
Sadie paused and turned around, giving Natalie a silent nod of permission.
“Tonight, did someone come over and say something to Brian?” Natalie asked after a moment
of pause.