Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Richard
"Apologize to Natalie. Now."
My fingers tightened until I could almost hear Robert's wrist bones groaning under the pressure. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face chalk-white. The bravado from moments ago had evaporated, replaced by pure terror. Michael beside him stumbled back, too scared to breathe.
"Richard..." Robert's voice shook.
"It's Mr. Winston." I corrected him, my voice frighteningly calm. Each word dropped like ice-cold stones. "Under my roof, you laid hands on what's mine. Robert, seems you're not just failing at business—you've forgotten basic sense and manners too."
I released his wrist with enough force that he staggered back and hit the hallway wall.
I didn't spare him another glance. I turned to Natalie immediately.
Half her face was swollen, vivid red finger marks blazing across her cheek.
Blood traced the corner of her mouth. She looked at me with hollow eyes, like a shattered porcelain doll hastily glued back together—one touch away from falling apart completely.
Her other hand clutched her abdomen, knuckles bone-white.
In that moment, I could have killed him.
I took a deep breath, forcing down the rage, and pulled Natalie against me. I felt her body stiffen instantly, but this time she didn't push me away. She seemed to have no strength left even for that.
"Joseph," I said. "Contact the estate doctor. Get him up here to examine Mrs. Winston immediately. Have the kitchen prepare ice compresses and calming tea. Bring them to the master bedroom."
"Yes, sir."
I guided Natalie back to the master bedroom, half-supporting, half-carrying her.
She moved like a puppet, letting me position her.
The doctor arrived quickly and examined her face and abdomen carefully.
The baby was stable for now, but the emotional distress was severe—she needed rest and observation.
The facial injury required ice to reduce swelling.
I held the ice pack, pressing it gently against her swollen cheek. She flinched but didn't move away. The cold seemed to bring some focus back to her empty gaze. She looked at me, lips moving, voice barely a whisper. "You heard everything?"
"Most of it." I crouched in front of her, maintaining eye level while holding the compress.
"The scar on your wrist... what your father said.
.." My throat closed up. I'd never known any of it.
I'd always thought Natalie just grew up in a cold family—maybe spoiled, maybe willful, needing guidance and protection.
I never imagined the wounds ran that deep, that bloody.
"It's in the past." She turned away, not wanting me to see her vulnerable, but her trembling lashes betrayed her.
My hand closed around her ice-cold fingers. She shut her eyes. Tears slid down her face and soaked into the edge of the ice pack.
Outside the door, Robert and Michael sat rigid with anxiety. When they saw me approaching, they looked ready to drop to their knees.
Robert couldn't help himself. "Rich—I mean, Mr. Winston, this is a family matter. Father and daughter, just a misunderstanding..."
"Natalie is now, and will always be, my wife. The mother of my child," I cut him off, my mouth curving into a smile without warmth. "You put your hands on Mrs. Winston. Did you consider the consequences? Or should I make sure you understand them right now?"
Michael grabbed his father's sleeve, terrified.
Robert looked toward Natalie, head bowed low. "Natalie, I'm sorry. My emotions got out of hand. I apologize. I hope you can forgive me. I really didn't mean to..."
Natalie said nothing. Didn't even glance their way.
"Seems my wife doesn't want to forgive you.
" I looked down at them. "Effective immediately, Green Group won't receive another dollar from any partner associated with Winston Group.
And if you attempt to harass, coerce, or use Natalie's name to influence my decisions again," I paused, making sure every word landed, "I'll make sure you have no place left in Los Angeles. Hell, in all of California. Clear?"
Robert and Michael looked like death. They nodded frantically.
"Joseph. Show them out."
After dismissing that pair, I turned back to Natalie. She'd set the ice pack aside. The swelling had receded slightly, but the defeat and distance in her eyes had deepened. She stared out at the thick darkness beyond the window.
I walked over but didn't sit. Just stood before her.
"Natalie," I began, my voice sharp in the quiet room, "we need to talk. Everything. All at once. No more avoiding it."
She finally looked at me. "Richard, I found out I was pregnant and planned to tell you right away.
You'll never know how happy I was. But then I saw you at the hospital—you and Nick talking about how ordinary I was, how I was just good in bed, how you'd come back because of Olivia.
.. You can't imagine what that felt like. "
Damn. So Natalie was there that day? My memory instantly replayed the conversation with Nick. Christ, what kind of garbage had I said?
I'd only been irritated talking about it with Nick. Especially about Natalie.
What anyone else thought of my wife didn't matter. I was satisfied with Natalie. That was enough.
"And that bet with Nick. You and Olivia, did you..." Natalie didn't finish.
"No." I was definitive. "I never slept with Olivia. I just wanted Nick to shut up. We never even kissed. Natalie, I've been completely faithful to you—past, present, and future. I would never betray you."
"But you let Olivia provoke me over and over!
" Natalie's voice rose. I recognized this emotion now—this was Natalie hurt and angry.
"Do you know how awful the things they said were?
Everyone thought marrying me was a mistake.
You even gave her the necklace I loved. When I almost lost the baby, you were with Olivia.
You're the world's biggest asshole. You made me feel worthless. .."
Natalie's words tumbled out incoherently.
Damn. I'd never realized how deeply those things had wounded her.
I'd always assumed Natalie could handle it. After all, being Mrs. Winston meant learning to ignore outside noise. But I'd forgotten—Natalie shouldn't have had to endure any of it. I gave her this position, so I should have protected her from all the trouble.
God, why did it take me this long to understand?
"You're not worthless," I heard my own voice, hoarse, my heart cramping painfully. "You're not my problem. You never were."
I dropped to my knees, forcing eye contact again. This time, I wouldn't allow any misunderstanding. Any reservation.
"Listen, Natalie. About our marriage—yes, at first, there were business considerations.
But that was between your father and me.
Not you and me. From the moment I saw you at that gala, I was drawn to you.
After we married, you consumed all my attention, but I thought that was wrong.
So I buried myself in work, kept my distance, because I believed nothing should matter more than work. I admit it—I was arrogant. And stupid."
These confessions were foreign and difficult, but necessary.
"As for Olivia, she's an assistant. An employee.
Someone whose work I respected but who I never could or would feel anything for beyond that.
Those supposed intimacies—either misunderstandings or.
.. I admit, I was negligent about her overstepping boundaries because I never gave her a thought.
I assumed professional was professional, personal was personal.
But I forgot you needed to feel secure. That necklace you mentioned—Olivia's father asked me for it, so I gave it to him.
Remember that bracelet you said you liked?
I bought it for you. I thought that would make up for it, that you'd understand. "
"And the control, all that suffocating protection.
.." I took a deep breath, deciding to tear open my deepest scar for her.
"My mother, Elizabeth Winston—she was like you.
Even more vibrant, more in love with beautiful clothes, lived brilliantly.
She loved everything beautiful, colorful, and eye-catching.
Then she became a target of my father's business rivals.
They used her interests to set a trap, and eventually.
.. she died in a car accident. I was ten. "
Natalie's eyes widened slightly.
"After that, I subconsciously equated standing out and uncontrolled beauty with danger.
Seeing you in those bright dresses, glowing on stage, all those eyes on you.
.. I was terrified. Terrified you'd become another Elizabeth.
Terrified of losing you, Natalie. But I used the wrong methods.
I hid you away, restricted you... I thought I was protecting you, never considering what it meant to you.
I'm sorry, Natalie. For all my arrogance, my cold neglect, and that pathetic control born from fear. I'm sorry."
This was the first time in my life I'd bowed my head and apologized so completely to another person.
Natalie stared at me. Tears spilled down her face without warning. She opened her mouth, tried to speak, but choked.
I didn't rush her for a response. This was all too complicated. Maybe we both needed days to process and understand.
The next morning, I connected a video conference with all core executives from my study. Olivia was online too.
I didn't waste words. Got straight to it.
"Effective immediately, terminate all partnerships between the Group and Ms. Olivia Carter and her team. Begin transition immediately. Legal will handle contract termination and pay maximum penalty fees."
On screen, Olivia went white. "Richard? Why? What did I do wrong?"
"Severe professional misconduct. Multiple attempts to interfere with my private life and cause significant distress to Mrs. Winston." I looked at her, my gaze devoid of warmth. "This is final. The Group will notify major partners in the industry shortly."
I cut Olivia's connection and continued deploying the transition plan.
After handling everything, I returned to the master bedroom. Natalie was awake, propped against the headboard while a maid helped apply warm compresses. The swelling was mostly gone, but the marks remained. Seeing me enter, the maid withdrew discreetly.
I sat on the bed beside her and took her hand. She didn't pull away.
"I fired Olivia. She won't appear in your life again or in any Winston Group matters." I looked at her seriously. "Also, Natalie, there are some things I want to tell you. Promises I'm making to you."
She watched me quietly, waiting.
"I've contacted top designers in Milan and Paris.
They'll create custom pieces for you—whatever you want, for pregnancy and after.
Wear what you want, where you want. And your music career—you can absolutely continue.
I'll use my resources to support you, connect you with the best producers and platforms, but I won't interfere with your creative work.
Your light shouldn't be dimmed by anyone or anything—especially not by my stupid fears. "
"Finally," I pulled a folder from my pocket and handed it to her, "these are transfer documents for several major properties I own in New York, Los Angeles, and Switzerland.
My lawyers have notarized them. They're in your name now.
Natalie, I want to give you real, permanent security.
Whatever happens in the future, you'll have the means to make any choice you want. "
Natalie took the folder, fingers trembling. She flipped through the documents worth a fortune. Tears fell in fat drops, splattering on the pages.
She looked up at me through blurred eyes, voice barely audible. "Why?"
"Because I love you, Natalie." I reached up, wiping the tears from her cheek with infinite gentleness, feeling the warmth and fragility of her skin. "I know this love came too late, was expressed terribly, but it's real. It was, it is, and it always will be."
Natalie fell into my arms, burying her face in my shoulder. I held her tight, feeling her body shake and her burning tears soak through my shirt. My hand rubbed her back gently, kissing the top of her fragrant hair.
I don't know how long passed. Natalie's sobs gradually became hiccups, then quieted.
She lifted her head from my chest, eyes and nose red, tear tracks across her face. She looked at me for a long time, then nestled back into my arms, circling my waist.
"Richard, I love you too."
I was certain I heard Natalie say those words.