Chapter 13
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Days of lovemaking had left Natalie’s voice a little hoarse. Even though she was trying to sound sweet, it grated on Samuel’s ears.
Ever since he’d taken her virginity, his interest in her had dropped significantly. Especially with how wild she acted in bed—it made her no different from the mistresses his buddies kept.
If it weren’t for the fact that he was still sort of interested in her body, he probably would’ve dumped her the day after their wedding.
The thought alone irritated him.
Jay
Ignoring Natalie behind him, he grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from the drawer. With a faint click, smoke curled from his fingers like an invisible hand, as if it were pushing away the woman clinging to his back.
Natalie bit her lip, but eventually let go and slipped back under the covers.
After half a month together, she had to come to know Samuel a bit better. He did love her–but it was conditional.
No one was allowed to question a decision he made–not even her.
Last time she crossed the line, he hadn’t come home for days. It wasn’t until she gave in and dressed up in lingerie that he finally came around.
It was then she realized that the more she loved him, the more terrified she was losing him.
So after that, she never dared challenge any of his decisions again.
When Samuel finished his cigarette, he stubbed it out in the ashtray and turned around. His fingers reeked of smoke as he pinched her cheek and said, “Be good. Stay home and wait for me. I’ll come back when I’m done.”
With that, he got up and left without sparing her another glance. He didn’t seem to hesitate at all.
Natalie’s eyes dimmed as the door closed.
The longer she remained in this marriage, the more she felt like a woman kept by his side rather than his wife.
She was legally married to him, yet he never brought her to parties, never introduced her to his parents, and didn’t even let her leave the house.
Whenever she questioned him, he’d brush it off with excuses like he loved her too much to let others ogle her.
At first, she used to naively believe him. But over time, she began to sense something was off.
Samuel’s attitude toward her… was strange.
Clenching her fists, Natalie made up her mind to find a chance to talk to him and get to the bottom of it.
The moment Samuel arrived at a bar across town, everyone inside began to tease him.
“Well, it took you long enough to finally tear yourself away from your chick!”
“Exactly!” Someone chimed in. “Samuel, I can’t believe you’d ditched us for a woman. You owe us three drinks!”
“So, how is she? If you get tired of her, mind letting me have a taste? I’ve never done it with such a stubborn nurse before!”
The crowd burst into laughter, their teasing relentless.
Usually, Samuel would’ve thrown them out for saying such things. But now, he simply swirled the glass in his hand and drawled, “You don’t have to wait. In a few days, she’ll be yours.”
The room fell silent for a beat–then erupted again in shock.
“Did I hear that right? Samuel, are you actually giving up that babe you kept by your side?”
“Damn! Are you already bored of her?”
“Are you sure about that? Won’t she be heartbroken?”
Under the dim lights, the look on his face was indiscernible.
“Of course. I’ve been over her for a while,” he replied with a smirk. “She’s just a kept woman. Why should I care if she’s hurt or not? If you want her, take her.” From the very beginning, Samuel had only seen Natalie as a plaything, Besides, his divorce cooling–off period with Catherine was about to end. It was time to settle down and get back to a proper life with her.
He knew his recent behavior had hurt her. Why else would she avoid contacting him for so long?
Once they remarried, he’d make it up to her. With that thought, he drained the glass in one go.
Seeing how generous he was, the others burst into cheers and playful teasing once more.
“Thanks, Samuel!”
“Come on, let’s drink!”
