The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband – Episode 38
Friday approached beneath an uneasy calm. Natalie returned to work to find Serena’s office sealed and an interim manager reviewing every assignment issued during the previous month. Without Serena’s hostility shaping the room, colleagues spoke more freely and admitted they had witnessed years of intimidation.
Natalie’s distributor contract passed legal review. The owner signed the final agreement, giving her an undeniable first sale and protecting her position. Her commission would let her repay Daniel’s loan earlier than expected and begin rebuilding the savings medical debt had erased. She should have felt secure, yet Sebastian’s promise of an honest conversation occupied more of her attention than the numbers on the contract.
Daniel returned from medical observation wearing long sleeves over the remaining rash. He thanked Natalie privately and confirmed she had acted correctly. “Your judgment under pressure is exactly why you belong here.”
“Was hiring me your decision?” she asked.
Daniel paused too long. “The CEO’s office reviewed the irregular interview and corrected it.” His answer identified a department rather than a decision-maker, the same technique Sebastian used whenever truth approached too closely. Natalie recognized the pattern now, and recognition made each carefully limited answer louder.
“You are the CEO.”
“Publicly, yes.” The final word escaped before he could contain it.
Natalie studied him. “Is there another CEO privately?”
Daniel redirected the conversation toward the company event. Bash Myers would address employees, he said, and unanswered questions would soon become clearer. His reassurance sounded almost identical to Sebastian’s promise.
At lunch, Kyle packed files into a box. An internal review had found that he helped Serena bury complaints and benefited from her favoritism. He had approved distorted performance reviews, ignored harassment reports, and accepted promotions while stronger employees left. He blamed Serena until Natalie reminded him that silence had been his choice long before the coffee incident.
“I was trying to survive,” he said.
“So was everyone you allowed her to hurt.” Natalie wished him no harm, but she no longer confused charm with character.
Outside the building, Sebastian waited in an ordinary car instead of sending a driver. Natalie joined him, surprised by the bouquet on the passenger seat. “Is this for the contract?”
“For saving Daniel, winning the contract, and refusing to become cruel when you had every excuse.” He touched her cheek. “I’m proud of you.”
They spent the evening preparing for Friday. Natalie tried on dresses while Sebastian offered opinions that became increasingly distracted whenever she stepped from the bedroom. Their teasing carried the warmth of a real marriage, making the promised divorce feel like a relic neither wanted to mention. Natalie imagined introducing him as her husband without embarrassment or apology, unaware that the room would soon recognize him before she made the introduction.
She chose a deep blue dress. Sebastian fastened the clasp at her neck, his fingers lingering against her skin. “Tomorrow, I need to tell you something about the event.”
“Tell me after I try the others.” Natalie smiled at his reflection. She wanted the evening before confession to remain uncomplicated, unaware of how much truth pressed behind his silence.
His phone displayed an unknown message: *I know who you are, Bash Myers.* A second line ordered him to come alone to a hotel room if he wanted to learn how the identity had been discovered.
Sebastian’s expression changed. Natalie noticed, but he locked the screen before she could read it. “Daniel needs me,” he said, hating how natural another lie sounded. He considered telling her about the threat, but the attached photograph suggested surveillance and made immediate caution seem responsible. Once again, protection became the argument he used to exclude her from danger involving her own life.
He instructed security to watch the penthouse and promised to return quickly. Natalie asked whether the interrupted assistant interview had already become a full-time job. Sebastian kissed her forehead instead of answering.
As the elevator carried him down, another message arrived containing a photograph of Natalie entering B.M. The sender knew his wife, his company, and his schedule. Ignoring the demand could place her at risk.
Natalie stood alone among the dresses, her excitement replaced by unease. Sebastian had promised honesty tomorrow, yet secrecy had summoned him away tonight. At the hotel, Cassie poured powder into his waiting drink and arranged the room to tell a story before he ever arrived.