Chapter 18

Unedited...


Fluttering her eyelashes, Sabrina opens her eyes to sunlight penetrating the windows.

Under her face, she feels the warmth around her waist a stronghold. She feels fingers gently rubbing her hip bone and a large hand caressing her hair.

Lifting her head slightly she narrows her eyes onto Nathan's. He was awake and watching her intently.

She removes the arm she had laying on his chest and tries to sit herself up. Nathan responds by swiftly flipping her to lay flat on the bed and sticking his head in the crook of her neck. He glides his nose along her throat column and inhales deeply. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Whoa! The vibrations of her own voice were her making her sick.

Nathan rises and searches her face.

She swallows nervously.

After a moment of silence, he places a soft kiss on her lips and heads to the closet.

Once her heart stops racing, she puts her hand on her head trying to make things stop swinging around her. She then notices that's she is wearing a black t-shirt. She was sure it wasn't hers, and that she didn't change into it.

How did she even get home? Oh no, what did she do? She squeezes her eyes shut when she hears Nathan come out from the closet.
"What happened last night?" She was drawing a complete blank. The last thing she remembers is sitting in the club.

"You don't remember?"


She opens her eyes to his hand with two pills in it. On the other was a glass of water.

She takes her pills, and drink some water. "Did you put this shirt on me? She asks meeting his eyes.

"Yes."

"How did I get home?"

"I brought you home."

Now she was more confused. Nathan Took her home and dressed her? How drunk did she get that she needed to be taken home? How did he even know she went out?


"You need to manage your drinking."


"I'm not much of a drinker." She closes her eyes and lays back down on the pillow. She really hoped the medication helps.


The room became quiet and after a while the sweet aroma of fresh-baked croissants reaches her nose suddenly. She opens her eyes to see Nathan standing above her. "Sit up. You need to eat."

She sits up while he places a tray in front of her.

"Have you eaten?" She asks.


"I will." He sits on the bed near her knees and let's out a breath. "Sabrina, we need to talk."


"What about?" She bites in the flaky goodness.


"About what you said in my office."


"What about it?" She chews away.


He turns to see her face fully. "You're right about one thing, you're not some girl I'm not going to see again. You're my wife, but it doesn't mean you have to sleep with me." He stands up and sticks his hands in his pockets.
He was nervous and whatever he was trying to say wasn't easy for him.
He clears his throat. "I've cleared up my schedule for next week. I'd like you to come away with me."

She was surprised, to say the least. A week alone with Nathan with nowhere to run. As much as she wanted too, she didn't trust herself around him.


"Why?" She wanted to annoy him but she also genuinely wanted to know.


He runs his hands through his hair "I'd like to spend time with you and get to know each other better."


She stops eating and staring at her food, she wondered how much he would do to save him company. Would he try to be what he thinks she wants? Is he trying to be a husband because of the threat her father held? Is this how desperate he is to save his company? Well, she wasn't willing to give her body for the sake of Alden Enterprises.

"Why?" She looks away waiting for him to snap.

He grabs her chin turning her to face him. "Eat, sweetheart." His voice was calm and caring. She started eating right away. It's when he's like that, that she couldn't deny him a thing.
"Because, I don't want another woman Sabrina, I want you."

Sabrina didn't buy into any of it. She didn't want a man to settle for her. She would rather be alone.


"Nathan, please just be with someone else."

"How could you ask me something like that. He finally snaps. "I'm your husband."

"Yes, on a piece of paper." She raises her voice. "Nathan, you didn't choose me." She removes the tray leaving her breakfast and stands up. "And I didn't choose you" She walks in the direction of the bathroom only to be pulled back.


Nathan holds her wrist tightly and grabs a handful of her hair tugging her close to his face. "That piece of paper you refer to, gives me rights over you, and you may have given me permission to be with someone else, but I don't give you the same privilege."


He lets go of her and puts a hand behind his neck. "I don't understand you..When I touch you. You look as if you're enjoying it. Then you tell me to satisfy my needs elsewhere." He lets out an aggravated breath and moves around the room. "I've ended up just like my father."


That's what Sabrina didn't want for him. She loved him so much all she wanted was for him to live the life he wanted. She wanted to see him happy not to be the cause of his unhappiness.


"No, you haven't." She tries to convince him. You can live your life the way you want."

"I want you." He declares bluntly.


She swallows "You can't have me." Yes, she knew how stubborn she was. She wanted it all or nothing.

If a marriage with love is an impossible dream, then she will live in reality alone.

"I could have had you last night." He states.

She was scared to ask. "What happened last night?" She did it anyway.

"Let's just say I could have taken what you were offering."

She covers her mouth. "You're lying."

He didn't answer.

They glare at each other speechless. Nathan looked determined a minute ago. Now he just looks defeated. "Why are you so stubborn?" He questions "You would rather spend the rest of your life alone than with me?" He points to himself.


Sabrina hugs herself. "Do you believe in love?"

"No... I want you, you want me... What else is there? Love is crap for the movies."

She didn't like that answer but there it was. "Are you capable of being with one woman?What happens when you get bored of me? Do I get locked up and ignored again?"

He groans. "You can't hold that against me. I thought you were just as much involved in your dad's plans as he was. Excuse me for my lack of interest."

"Nathan." She pauses. "You're excused. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to brush my teeth." She turns hoping he doesn't grab her again ...and he didn't.


When she came out, he's standing with his arms folded. "I'm done." He states. "You want me to live my life, I'll live my life. Now, finish your breakfast." He leaves the room slamming the door causing the furniture to rattle.



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A few days later



Nathan was already gone when she woke in the morning, and he stayed in his office when he got home. She knew he was still coming to bed at night because the shower tiles were wet.


When she arrives at the shelter, Tony has gotten word from the bank. Alden Enterprises withdrew their offer and the bank is going to continue to accept late payments.

Sabrina was ecstatic. She texted Nathan to say thank you but he didn't reply.

Later that night she arrives home hearing laughter, and she follows it.


It led her to the living room where Nathan, his sisters, and two beautiful brunette women were sitting around.


Clarissa and Baylee sat on one sofa with a brunette. Nathan sat with the other one. His arm was on the chair behind her. She felt like she was being stabbed with a knife. She thought Nathan would at least be discreet. She knew Baylee and Viviana would tolerate that kind of behavior but it hurt her a touch that Clarissa did as well.



She runs upstairs unnoticed. She wanted to crawl in a corner and die. She wasn't just jealous anymore she was hurt too. No matter how much she tried to protect herself from this pain she ended up with it anyway. 

She had to do something to block that memory out of her head

Sabrina did what she does best. She blocked it out needing to make herself numb.

She decides to change into PJ's and jumps into bed. A few minutes later the kids open the door and join her.

"How did you know I was home?" She smiles. They were exactly what she needed.


"Uncle Nathan told us." Alyssa answers.

"Yeah." Dylan agrees.

How did he know?

She put on the movie and brings them close to her in need of a hug. They lay and watched the whole movie together. When that one was finished, she put on another.


Halfway of the movie. Wanda knocks on the door. "Mr. Alden has requested your dinner be sent up here for you." She sets the tray on the nightstand and leaves.

Sabrina didn't realize how hungry she was until she could smell her food. She removes herself from the comfort of the children and sits on the end of the bed.



While she's eating, Nathan comes in. He glances at all three kids very interested in the tv. He then shifts his gaze to her. "I have an important project in Hong Kong. I will be living out there for a little while to run it myself. I'm leaving tonight."


She nods. It was sad that he was leaving but it was for the best.
She wouldn't have to see him all day. She wouldn't have to sleep with him and wonder if he's been with another woman.
He was probably taking the girl that was just He leaves and walks into bathroom.

Wanda knocks a few minutes after the shower turns on.

"Come in."

"I've come to pack Mr. Alden's things." She notifies before going into the closet.

Her stomach began to churn. She lost her appetite. She sets the tray aside and goes back to cuddle with the kids. She needed more or their hugs.

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Sabrina watched out the window as Nathan's limo leaves the driveway. He kissed her on her forehead before he left. He had to. She was sure he didn't want the kids thinking something was wrong. Even though she knew that, the light kiss he pressed, and the longing look he gave her still affected her.


A knocks come from the door again.

"Come in."


It was Clarissa. She comes in and joins her children on the bed. "Hey, you ok?"


She smiles, but her eyes were sad. "I'm ok."


"Is everything ok with you and Nathan?"


Yeah, we're fine." She turns looking at the kids avoiding eye contact.


Clarissa grabs her arm. "Why aren't you going with him?" When Sabrina is at loss for words she continues to guess. "Is it the kids sleeping in here every night?" She whispers so they wouldn't hear


"No, it's not. It's nothing really. We're fine." Sabrina knew her a crappy liar. That only made it worse.

"Then why is he so depressed? And why do you look so sad?" Clarissa keeps a hold on her arm.


"I'm going to miss him," Sabrina speaks the truth.


"I guess that's his problem too" Clarissa stands up and looks at her children smiling. "I hope that's all it is." She closes the door gently behind her.



6 DAYS LATER.


Sabrina lay on her bed with her phone in her hand. She hadn't heard from Nathan once since he left. She tried to block it out but she just couldn't. Her finger dangle above his name. She wanted to know if he was ok and what he's been doing.


Then again, she didn't want to know just in case it wasn't what she wanted to hear.


She hits the home button and then puts down her phone. She was becoming anxious and second-guessing whether to call him or not.



What if he gets irritated? What if a woman picks up? Maybe She should just send a text. But then what if he doesn't reply? Then She'll just worry more. She blows out a deep breath.


Suddenly she gets startled when her phone starts to ring. She answers it without looking hoping it was Nathan. "Hello."

She heard sniffling and the voice is filled with sorrow. "Sabrina." It was her mother's voice.

"No."



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