Chapter 33
For a moment, the air went still, and the tension at the dining table thickened. Most of it came from Gregory, though it lasted only a few seconds before he returned to eating his dinner in silence.
Xander blinked and wondered if he’d said something wrong
Natalie was the first to break the silence, sounding baffled as she mused, “I didn’t think you’d find a job, Ms. Jacobson. Are you… worried that the Sinclairs can’t provide for you?”
Anathea heard the provocation in Natalie’s words, yet smiled and said, “Yes.”
Even if the Sinclairs gave her 100 thousand dollars every month, it would take her two and a half years to come up with the money. for Fiona’s surgery. But Anathea didn’t feel like bringing this up.
Natalie was surprised by Anathea’s frankness. She went still at first but quickly regained her composure. She gave Gregory a subtle look and said, “I’m assuming you haven’t told Greg about your new job, Ms. Jacobson.”
Anathea didn’t think telling Gregory about her new job was necessary. Much like how he didn’t want her butting into his business, she’d rather he stayed out of hers. Besides, she reckoned he wouldn’t care about her new job even if she told him. He barely cared about her as it was.
As expected, Gregory wordlessly set his utensils down and rose to go upstairs. Anathea might as well be invisible–he didn’t even
spare her a glance.
A faint smile curved Natalie’s lips when she saw how calm and unaffected Gregory was. He didn’t seem to have any interest in
Anathea at all.
leveled a triumphant stare at Anathea as she said, “In any case, congratulations on your new job, Ms. Jacobson. At least
you won’t have to be a full–time housewife anymore.”
The contempt was clear in Natalie’s voice despite her congratulatory words. However, Anathea took the jab in stride and replied,
“Thank you.”
Taken aback by Anathea’s mild response, Natalie felt the rest of her insults die on her tongue as she froze and stared at the
former.
“I’m done. Enjoy the dinner,” Anathea said flatly as she rose from her seat.
Natalie’s gaze followed Anathea until she disappeared upstairs, the spite and doubt clear in her eyes. She wondered how Anatheat could display such fortitude and chalked it up to false bravado.
“Ms. W
Whitman!” Xander tugged on Natalie’s sleeve, grinning. “I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve missed you! Can you read me a bedtime story tonight?”
He’d wanted Anathea to read him a bedtime story at first, but he saw no harm in putting her in second place now that Natalie was
1/2
home.
+15 Bonus
When Natalie didn’t answer him, he raised his voice and clutched her sleeve as he pleaded, “Please, Ms. Whitman? Pretty please with a cherry on top?”
Only then did Natalie tear her gaze away from the stairs and humor Xander with a smile. “Alright. I’ll read you any bedtime story you want, Xander.”
“Yay!” Xander cheered. “You’re the best, Ms. Whitman!”
Anathea slowly made her way to the third floor of Sinclair Villa. The villa boasted three stories. The second floor housed Xander’s bedroom and the guest room occupied by Natalie. The master bedroom and an empty guest room were on the third floor.
The master bedroom was originally meant for Anathea and Gregory, but he hadn’t been there since he stormed out the last time.
Not that Anathea minded having the room to herself. She enjoyed working in the comfortable silence, knowing that no one would intrude upon her peace. The thought of it put a smile on her face.
However, her smile vanished when she opened the door and saw the towering silhouette in the room. What was Gregory doing here?
She instinctively took a step back, ready to flee from the room. But the next second, Gregory closed the distance between them with one long stride and grabbed her wrist. He dragged her into the room, and the door closed with a thud as he pinned her against it.
“Who gave you permission to step out of bounds and find a job, Anathea?” Gregory demanded icily.
