The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

Natalie’s grip on his arm loosened, her mind-numbing for a brief moment. Her anger, once fiery and sharp, crumbled into despair. Tears welled in her eyes without her noticing, and the bitterness she had clung to faded, replaced by a heavy sense of worry.

"H-how bad is it this time?" she finally asked, her voice fragile. Her hand trembled as she withdrew it, balling it into a fist against her dress, trying to still the shaking.

Dominic exhaled slowly, hating himself for losing control. He wouldn’t dare to turn around and look at her, so he stared at the floor instead. "The best I have... is a year."

Natalie felt her body freeze in disbelief, the tears spilling over naturally. Her heart, moments ago so ready to hate him—to despise and forget him—was now a mess of grief and confusion.

The memories of their early years flashed before her: their awkward, arranged marriage turning into something more, how they had started to like each other. And when they were so close to confessing their love, Dominic’s tumor destroyed it all.

"Let’s divorce, Nat. I won’t be able to give you the life you deserve," Dominic had said on their first anniversary, his voice cold and defeated. But Natalie had refused to give up and followed him to Aracamia, determined to fight alongside him, to save him.

But could she do that again? Her mind screamed, No. Not again! But her heart... It wavered, unable to make the choice.

"You should’ve told me," Natalie whispered, her voice so faint but full of fear. "You should’ve told me, Dom."

Dominic turned to meet her gaze, his eyes, dark and glistening with unshed tears, locked onto hers. He’d missed the way she called him "Dom," the way her voice softened, even in anger. But it was too late, it was all his fault and karma was paying him for mistreating her.

"I didn’t want to hurt you more than I already have," Dominic admitted, his voice raw and sincere. "You deserve a better life, Nat. A life without me dragging you down."

Natalie’s chest tightened painfully, the final ounce of strength crumbling at his confession. He was saying all the things he should have said long ago, words that might have changed everything if he hadn’t been so blinded by his mother’s grief and hatred for her. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped him, her palm stinging against his cheek.

Dominic’s head jerked to the side in shock, his hand instinctively touching the spot, but Natalie didn’t stop. She began hitting his chest, her fists small but full of frustration and grief.

"Why do you always do this to me?!" she cried, her voice choked with anguish. "Why, Dominic?! Why?!"

Her fists fell against him, weaker with each hit, until her anger drained away, leaving only exhaustion and sorrow. Dominic didn’t stop her. He let her hit him, let her release the pain he had caused, the wounds he had reopened time and time again.

Without thinking, he grabbed her wrists, pulling her into his arms.

Natalie didn’t refute and cried against his chest, soaking his shirt. Her arms wrapped around his waist, clutching tightly, unwilling to let him go despite everything.

Dominic gently cradled her, resting his chin on her head, holding her in the kind of embrace they hadn’t shared in years. And he wanted to feel it one last time.

They stood for a while, two broken souls lost in the mess of their lives. For once, there were no walls between them—no bitterness, no distance. Just the heartbreaking truth that their time together was running out.

Dominic was the first to pull away, taking a step back and creating the distance that had always been there between them since Katherine’s death.

"I’ll process the divorce papers," he said quietly. Without looking back, he picked up the papers from the table and left.

Natalie’s hands hovered in the air, still trembling, before she collapsed onto the chair behind her. Her body shook with uncontrollable sobs, the raw pain in her cries echoing through the empty room. What was she going to do now?

———

The morning came quicker than Evelyn had anticipated, waking up to be sleeping in their room with Zevian peacefully sleeping beside her. She had suggested to watch a horror movie, yearning to reminisce in those old good days and seemed to have falling asleep midway.

"Why do you watch it if you can’t even see it?" Zevian had grumbled just like in the past, as she shrieked at the first appearance of the ghost.

"So I can cling to you tightly!" Evelyn had replied, instantly clinging to his arm and hiding making him shake his head with a silly smile.

Evelyn smiled at the memory, resting her head on her palm as she took in the beauty in front of her. Tracing the hair on his forehead, she grumbled, "Do you have to be this charming even while sleeping?"

Unable to resist, she moved closer to peck his cheek, but just before she could the door burst open. Zevian woke up at the sound, and Evelyn’s cheeks flushed as his gaze met hers, before they both looked at the door.

"How dare you?!" Kiana grumbled, her little arms on her waist while Avery stood behind with an apologetic look. The chubby bear had woken up and was upset to find Avery beside her, only to get angry hearing her parents might probably sleeping together!

Evelyn quickly sat up, clearing her throat and starching her brow. It was just a kiss! What is wrong with you? Don’t act like you haven’t done before! The devil inside her chided, making her cheeks even brighter red.

Kiana glared at her infuriating Daddy before climbing up the bed to pounce on her Mommy. Evelyn picked the hug and squished her tightly with a smile. Kiana felt her anger dissipate and smiled, wishing her a good morning.

"Does it still hurt?" The little girl asked, her eyes falling on Evelyn’s bandaged arm. She reached out and touching the bandage carefully, before looking at Evelyn again.

"Nope. Its better now," Evelyn answered, causing Kiana to sigh in relief.

"I will talk with teacher, Mommy. You should come with me to school. It is safer there and I will be able to look after you." Kiana murmured seriously, her words causing Evelyn to chuckle softly. She seemed determined to protect her 24/7.

"But Mommy as work, sweetie." When Kiana didn’t look impressed, Evelyn continued, "And trust me, I am strong enough to protect myself from bad guys."

"But you didn’t last night," Kiana stated the fact, turning to glare at stupid Daddy. "And he didn’t protect you! All he has is just looks, no powers! Hmph!"

Zevian frowned at the accusation, though his daughter was right. Sitting up, he said, "I will arrange bodyguards for her. They will follow her everywhere, so don’t worry."

"No, you won’t do such thing!" Evelyn quickly retorted, feeling the duo was going overboard. Without giving them to a chance to argue, she said, "Now, let’s hurry! I am hungry!"

Kiana also felt hungry and nodded, letting Evelyn carry her to her room to get ready for school. Zevian took out his phone and sighed reading Natalie’s text.

"We have a long day," He murmured, looking at his schedule and got up to get ready.

A few hours later, once both Zevian and Kiana had left after breakfast, Natalie arrived at the house, with Emily tensing both Avery and Evelyn.

"Why did you bring her?" Avery grumbled, not expecting the little brat to be accompanying her cousin.

Natalie didn’t respond and looked at her daughter. Emily sighed and stepped forward, feeling awkward. She bowed in ninety degree and murmured, "I am sorry for last night. I went a little crazy."

"A little?" Avery scoffed aloud at her words. Before she could mock further, Evelyn grabbed her hand and stopped her. With a small smile, she gestured for them to settle on the couch.

"How is your wound?" Natalie asked, glancing at the bandaged around her hand. She looked pale, almost lifeless that worried Evelyn slightly. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"It’s better now." Evelyn murmured and after a small pause, she asked, "And you? Are you alright?"

"Yeah! What would happen to me?" Natalie joked, forcing out a small laugh. She looked at her daughter who was quite uncomfortable and decided to introduce properly, "Meet my daughter, Emily Reign."

"Its Grey!" Emily instantly rebuked, causing Natalie to sigh out loud. "And you are still Natalie Grey too!"

"It will be changed soon." Natalie murmured, clenching her fists to control herself.

"It will never change!" Emily further annoyed her mother, causing Natalie sigh out loud.

"It will soon, Emily. Accept it! Your father has asked me to take your custody completely."

Even Evelyn and Avery were surprised by the news, quite sure Sabrina would be against it just like she had caused a ruckus in Kiana’s case.

"No, you are lying!" Emily stood up from her seat, glaring at her mother.

"I am not, Emily. He is soon moving to Aracamia."

Avery and Evelyn exchanged worried glances at the mother and daughter’s fight, unsure how to process the news. It would have been definitely better for Zevian to be here, but he had urgent meetings.

"Why is moving to another country?" Avery wondered, growing at the news. Something hit her mind and she gasped out loud. Turning to Natalie, she babbled out, "Don’t tell me... his tumor is back!"