Chapter 8
Natalia
“What are you going to do about this baby situation? You and Max have been trying for what, four years now? What’s the issue?
” Helen’s smooth voice, calm and steady, cut through me like a chainsaw.
I looked around the packed restaurant, hoping no one was listening.
Before we had even looked at the menu, she was digging her claws in, ripping me open, and baring all my flaws to the world.
“There’s no time to be sensitive about the issue.
He needs a male heir. You know this. Do you want to keep living in Sophie’s shadow?
” I flinched at the sound of her name. Sweet Sophie.
The perfect mother. The wronged party. Somehow, everyone seemed to like her more than me, no matter that I fit so much better in their world than she ever could.
The way all of the employees, and especially Walter, looked and spoke about her ate at me.
Growing up, my looks were always the focus. My biggest accomplishment. Maintaining my figure and my skin and hair routines were my top priorities. I had dreams of being a model, of traveling the world with beautiful people, wearing designer clothes no one else had.
While my family was wealthy, it paled in comparison to what the Townsends had.
Not to mention the way people spoke about the family, the reverence with which the names Walter and Eloise Townsend were mentioned.
They seemed perfect, untouchable. The respect, the adoration, and all the luxury that came with such prestige.
His house was beyond anything I could imagine.
The gated mansion was massive, fully staffed, and equipped with only top-of-the-line amenities.
I knew it was what I wanted for my future…
eventually. I truly loved Max and wanted to be with him, but not at the cost of my youth. I just needed a little time.
I had broached the subject with my parents only once, and it did not go over well.
Remembering that conversation and the decisions I made after it haunted me.
Max and I had just started living together, and he was working at his grandfather’s company while I finished my last year of college.
Dinner at my parents’ wasn’t often, but they were diligent in keeping tabs on me, especially when it came to my relationship with Max.
“Don’t fuck this up. This is our biggest account. Get married and give Max a son. Then, you can do whatever you want,” my father told me, my mother nodding along.
“But…what if I don’t want to get married right away? What if I want to take some time and work on my career first?” I asked. My father rolled his eyes.
“Traveling the world to try to become an influencer, or whatever you call it, is not exactly the priority here,” he snapped before my mother gave him a look.
“As a graduation present, we’ll pay for you to go to Ibiza for the summer. When you return, you’ll settle down and get married. You have the one summer to get this out of your system,” My mother replied, as if that made everything better.
Anxiety pooled in my stomach, and there was an itch under my skin.
Give him a son.
That night, I stood in front of the mirror naked, studying my body from every angle.
I had worked hard to make sure I looked perfect, flawless, but most importantly, effortless.
My hand rested on my flat stomach, the idea of a baby growing in there making me cringe.
Time, I had plenty of. Max would understand.
Those thoughts and my impulsive decision to flee the country as soon as I graduated from college would cost me far more than I could anticipate.
I didn’t realize how much could change while I was gone, and even more upsetting was the realization that Max wasn’t going to chase after me.
I had gone too far, and I didn’t even realize it until I returned.
While I was enjoying my last summer of freedom, I was determined to live it up.
I avoided my parents’ calls and texts, deactivated my social media, and blocked out all thoughts of the life I had left behind.
Coming back to town, ready to claim my spot by Max’s side, I was stunned to see him with Sophie.
My social media blackout had left me ill-prepared for the competition, my replacement.
Max couldn’t be serious. He was just trying to punish me.
I waited, approaching him in the shadows outside a crowded affair, sliding a hand down his arm.
He didn’t pull away, just giving me a stern look.
“Still pretending you don’t miss me?” I asked. His nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched.
“I don’t have time for any of your games, Nat.” He pulled away from me so fast that I stumbled, crashing into his chest.
As soon as we touched, time froze. His mouth was on mine, his hand holding my neck, maneuvering me further into the shadows. Not a single word was spoken. Spinning me around until I was pinned against the wall, he lifted my dress and was inside me.
I moaned, and he covered my mouth.
“Quiet. Can’t let everyone at the party know what a dirty slut you are.”
He had never spoken to me like that before, but my body responded instantly.
That’s how it began: our clandestine meetings, late-night rendezvous.
Innocent, naive Sophie had no clue what to do with me.
I knew I made her uncomfortable, as she should have been.
She was nothing but a placeholder. An understudy.
I thought I had him at that moment. That he would drop Sophie and come crawling back to me.
But things didn’t go the way I planned. As Sophie and Max’s wedding approached, he made no move to change the arrangements.
“When are you going to tell Sophie about us?” I had asked one night as we laid in bed together in the penthouse apartment he’d bought for me.
“Why would I?” he asked, a dark smirk on his face. Sitting up, his eyes traced the lines of my naked body.
“You’re not actually going to marry her!” I snapped, no longer finding it fun or amusing.
“You’re the one who left me, Natalia. I never said I was going to break off my engagement to Sophie,” he said, sitting up, his back against the headboard.
“And you think I’m going to put up with that?” I asked, standing from the bed and wrapping a sheet around myself.
“Yes. I’ve already spoken to my mother, and she agreed my marriage to Sophie is what’s best, not only for appearances, but for Grandfather.
Who knows how much time he has left. This is the only support from him I’ve gotten.
I can’t lose that. You’ll just have to wait.
” The words hit, each line burrowing deeper into my skin.
Helen knows? And still chose Sophie over me?
“It’s not forever, Nat. Just long enough to make sure I secure the future shares in the company.
Think of Sophie as my starter wife. Let her do the hard work, and then you can sweep in and take your spot.
You always did like the easy way out.” So lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t even realized Max had moved.
Already mostly dressed, he was heading for the entryway to get his shoes and coat.
“You’re leaving? Now?” I asked, my emotions boiling over.
“Sophie’s expecting me at home.” The words hit me in the gut, just as he had intended. Max slipped his jacket on before striding over to me. Pushing me against the wall, he kissed me. It was dark, intense. It was a message. Pulling back, he looked me up and down before leaving without a word.
Since then, it had felt like I was constantly running to get ahead of my mistakes, only to wake up back at the starting line. That one fateful decision, the youthful impulse that sent me running, had set me so far back from the beautiful future I’d planned for myself.
“Well? What are you going to do about this, Natalia?” Helen’s voice cut through my trip down memory lane.
I took a sip of tea, trying to calm myself.
“We’ve been trying for several years now, but I’ve never even had a positive pregnancy test. I made an appointment at a fertility clinic, but Max refused to go.
” Not to mention the first two years where I secretly had an IUD, hoping I could just step in as a bonus mom to Eloise, keeping the pressure off me.
Instead, her existence only put more focus on my fertility.
“What exactly did Max say?” Helen asked, something working behind her eyes that I didn’t trust.
“That if he could get Sophie pregnant, the issue must be on my end.” At the mention of Sophie’s name, Helen’s entire demeanor changed.
It was our strongest bond, our hatred for her. Sometimes, I thought the only reason Helen liked me was because I wasn’t Sophie. She was the first person to come to me, to tell me that Max was getting divorced.
Finally, it happened. I didn’t have to atone for my sins any longer.
Max and I could finally be together. But it wasn’t how I imagined.
Something was off. There was more happening behind the scenes that I wasn’t privy to.
Too afraid of rocking the boat, of missing my final chance to marry Max, I kept my blinders on.
Now, there I was, married to my dream man, but our life together wasn’t looking so picturesque. I was failing. I wasn’t able to live up to Sophie’s reputation. Doubts were creeping in, insecurities seeping out of my pores.
“Well, after Eloise was born, I had tests run. Paternity and all that.” My eyes widened.
Helen had never mentioned that. Taking a sip of her wine, she took a minute before continuing.
“The paternity test clearly proved Max was the father. However, the doctor did mention what a miracle Eloise was, considering his condition.” It was like a physical blow, to know that, all this time, there was an issue on his end.
That somehow, I was still getting blamed.
“What condition? He never told me anything… Why wouldn’t he just—” As a million thoughts ran through my head, Helen cut me off.
“He doesn’t know.” I froze, unsure how to process what she was saying.
“Eloise was a fluke, unfortunately. I didn’t see any reason to tell anyone.
Didn’t want to raise the pedestal everyone puts Sophie and Eloise on already.
Maxwell had a terrible case of the mumps as a child.
Developed orchitis because of it.” I widened my eyes, urging her to continue what she was saying in a language I could understand.
“He had inflammation in his testicles. The doctors warned us that it could cause low sperm count in the future. I didn’t think it would take you this long to realize or to do something about it,” she said, the judgment in her tone clear.
“Do something about it? What can I even do about something like this?” I snapped, and Helen’s face froze.
“Do not raise your voice at me. And for heaven’s sake, relax your face, or you’re going to need another appointment for those elevens. Your age is showing.” She shut me down brutally.
“There’s a holistic doctor who is supposed to deliver amazing results with herbal remedies. I’ll make you an appointment. Just slip whatever they give you into Max’s morning coffee. Make sure he drinks it.”
“You want me to drug him,” I stated, wanting her to acknowledge what she was asking of me. She looked annoyed, as if dealing with a petulant child.
“Don’t be so hyperbolic. You’re going to give him herbal supplements, and whatever else they suggest, so you two can finally conceive.
” Studying me, she rolled her eyes, angry that I wasn’t just agreeing.
“Walter is turning eighty this year. With the way things are, he’s likely to leave everything to Eloise.
The only power we have is another child.
Take care of your husband. Do this to save your marriage and your future. That is what I am asking of you.”