Wife by Day, Boss by Night by Thalia Quillspeak

Chapter 145
Although the command in his voice was unmistakable, the affection he couldn’t quite conceal. was just as clear.
Back when Natalie was just a girl, Madelyn hadn’t thought much of it. The affection Brian had for Natalie seemed nothing more
than familial.
That was until Madelyn saw the way his palm cradled Natalie’s slender, straight leg, the look in his eyes not just one of concern,
but one of a man’s possessiveness over a woman.
And Madelyn had never seen Brian kiss another woman. Not even the customary peck on the hand that was so common
overseas. He’d never touched another woman in such a way.
Natalie had come home from school one day, the roads slick from a downpour the night before, and she’d taken a tumble. Brian,
seeing her scrape, had been so upset that he’d stood her up just for that minor incident.
That very night, Madelyn had accepted Robert’s confession of love, officially becoming his girlfriend. She couldn’t deny a part of
her relished the surprised look on Brian’s face the next day when he saw her hand in hand with Robert.
Madelyn made sure to involve Brian in every date with Robert, flaunting their relationship in front of him at every turn. But
eventually, she realized that Brian’s surprise was just at their sudden relationship. And there was no other hidden meaning
behind it. Sometimes, it even seemed like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Brian wasn’t oblivious to her secret affection for him and simply found it burdensome.
That was the difference between her and Natalie. With Natalie, Brian’s cautious affection seemed like a delight.

Even once when Robert had jokingly asked, Brian had admitted that there was indeed someone he could imagine protecting for
a lifetime.
Brian didn’t say a name, but they all knew whom he meant.
Yet life was unpredictable.
“Awake?” Brian noticed Madelyn’s gaze, closed his laptop, and looked over at her.
Madelyn said nothing.
After a moment, she propped herself up in bed and asked softly, “Any news from the Coast Guard?”
Brian flickered his eyes as he replied, “Should be soon.”
They locked eyes for a few seconds before Madelyn asked, “Are you lying to me?”
“No.” As Brian spoke, he walked over to the bed. Just as he reached the edge, he saw tears clouding Madelyn’s swollen eyes.
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Chapter 145
“I dreamed of him again. He seemed so happy to be coming home,” Madelyn sighed, her voice hoarse. As she spoke, tears
cascaded down her cheeks, “Brian, did I make a mistake?”
When Robert had his accident, it took Brian a long time to step out from the shadows of grief. Madelyn’s few words shook him to
his core.

It had been nearly four years. Dead or alive, he felt helpless not being able to bring home event the body of his dear friend.
“Should I not have terminated Robert’s baby? That was his flesh and blood. Did I make a mistake?” Madelyn grew more frantic,
and suddenly she threw off the covers and started pounding her fists against her lower belly.
“Madelyn!” Brian grabbed her wrists, “Have you lost your mind?!”
But Madelyn seemed out of control, struggling against his grasp, her voice choked with sobs, “Do you think he blames me down
there? I killed his child! I killed mine and Robert’s child with my hands!”
The pain in Brian intensified as he pulled Madelyn into a tight embrace, holding her hands firmly.
“He wouldn’t blame you,” he said through clenching teeth, his voice hoarse and low after a moment.
“He would only want you to be happy.”
Madelyn’s pain was palpable, and Brian felt it even more acutely than she did.