The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1853

A marriage built on schemes and calculation was never his cup of tea. The only reason they were still together was her reluctance to let go. Their peaceable coexistence hung on every sexual encounter they shared.

After all, he was a man with needs. And she was willing to give, to indulge without burden for those fleeting moments of joy.

Their so-called "happy" marriage was rooted in "harmonious" encounters. To the outside world, they seemed to be the perfect couple, but it was all an illusion.

Even Damon and Chloe sensed something off about their union, yet it somehow trudged on.

How could it be?

Ronald was spot-on. She only sought out Nathan to cement her standing in the company. Having the second son of the Harpers to back her up, no one dared to cross her.d2

Though her shares didn't measure up to her uncle's, she remained unscathed in the corporate world. Nathan was biding his time for a divorce, and she hungered for more shares. If Ronald offered his shares to her, then there was no need to keep Nathan dangling.

As for continuing with Ronald? Her lips, pressed tightly together, lost their color under the pressure of her teeth.

Divorcing Nathan. Could Anya handle it?

Anya adored Nathan. If they split for good, she'd have to cut ties completely.

Ronald was right. The longer she waited, the more Anya would suffer. If Nathan got wind of anything, or decided to dig deeper, she risked losing Anya too.

No, she couldn't afford to lose Anya.

Yet something unformed within her swayed her decisions.

Nathan hadn't slept well, but a two-hour nap did wonders for his spirits. He was so hungry he felt like he could eat a horse.

Descending the stairs, there was Anya, gyrating in the living room, her small arms flailing to some incomprehensible dance on TV.

Nathan cast a disdainful glance her way and let out a dismissive "tch."

Anya, hearing him, scurried over, "Nathan, you're up?"

He raised an eyebrow, ruffling his hair as he headed for the kitchen. When he didn’t see Yulia in the living room, he casually asked, "Where's your mom?"

"She…" Anya paused, then corrected, "Nathan, Yulipop is my big sister. Don't get it twisted, or she'll have trouble getting hitched someday."

Nathan froze, turned, and looked down at Anya, "You looking for trouble, young lady?"

Anya pouted, "What's wrong?"

Nathan couldn't be bothered to argue with a toddler. Waving her off, he continued toward the dining area.

"Forget it. Not your mom, your sister. Where'd she go anyway?"

Anya toddled after him, clutching his pants, following him to the fridge.

As Nathan rifled through the fridge for food, Anya piped up, "Mister Ronald swung by today, and Mom went out with him."

Nathan's hand paused mid-search, and he turned to Anya, "She went out with who?"

Anya blinked innocently, "With Mister Ronald."

Nathan's face darkened.

But Anya, oblivious, cheerily added, "I asked Mister Ronald if he likes Yulipop, and he said he does."

Nathan fell silent.

"And then I told him, he can only like Yulipop a little bit because she has you."

Nathan's mood soured, but it was slightly better than moments before.

So, she went out with Ronald.

"When did they leave?"

Anya shook her head, "Dunno, Yulipop skipped lunch and took off."

Skipped lunch and left? It was past two now, so she'd been out with Ronald for hours? And they hadn't returned since before lunch, so they were probably lunching together?

"Heh." A cold laugh escaped him as he slammed the fridge door shut.

Anya flinched beside him, looking up worriedly, "Nathan, what's wrong?"

Nathan's smirk was ice cold. So, she had an exit strategy all along.

The ravenous hunger that had him ready to devour a cow vanished in a puff. Scooping up Anya, he set her down on the couch in the living room.

As he donned his coat to leave, Anya hopped off the sofa, "Nathan, aren't you gonna have lunch? Where you going?"

"Out to eat. Stay put."

Carly emerged from the balcony, with a pair of pink shoes in hand.

"Hey, Mr. Nathan, I saved you some grub."

"Don't bother."

Shod and ready, Nathan yanked the door open, inadvertently pulling Yulia, who was on the other side, into the room. After a few seconds, it was Yulia who spoke first, "Let's talk."

Nathan scoffed, "I'm busy."

Yulia pressed her lips together, "Then we'll talk when you're free."

"Lunching with another man while leaving Anya home alone? Had a good time?"

Yulia frowned, "When did I ever do that?"

Nathan's smile didn't reach his eyes, which were frosty as he stared her down. "Who you asking?"

Yulia opened her mouth to respond, then realized something and went silent. Her silence was confirmation enough for Nathan, fueling his rage. He pushed past her and stormed out of the apartment.

Yulia braced against the door, nearly tumbling down. She was left alone, watching the door slam shut behind him. She steadied herself against the wall just in time to avoid an embarrassing tumble.

Nathan didn't pause for a second, and Anya watched him go with a worried frown.

Yulia stood up, closed the door, and reached for Anya's hand with a gentle tug. "Have you had lunch yet?"

Anya nodded. "Yeah, but Nathan hasn't."