Meeting Ivanka.
503 Words
Chapter 4
Nathalie’s POV
“Nath, William is back.”
I nearly dropped my phone.
“What?”
“William. He’s back in town,” Daniella repeated. “Let’s meet at Cake Is Art.”
I didn’t hesitate.
“Okay. Give me a few minutes.”
I quickly finished my morning routine and changed into a simple gown with flat sandals. I didn’t want anything too fancy.
When I came downstairs, Aunt Mina had already prepared breakfast.
“Good morning, Aunt Mina.”
She pulled me into a warm, motherly hug.
“Good morning, sweetheart. Breakfast is ready.”
“I’ll skip it today. I’m meeting someone for breakfast.”
She frowned.
“Where are you going?”
“Nowhere far,” I lied quickly.
Before she could ask another question, I hurried outside.
Luckily, my mother had brought my car over earlier.
I drove straight to Cake Is Art.
⸻
The moment I entered, I stopped.
Ella was sitting at a table.
And beside her was William.
I hadn’t seen him in years.
William and I had almost become something once. He had always been obsessed with me, and even now, the way he looked at me made my heart skip for a second.
“Hey.”
He smiled.
His eyes immediately dropped to my stomach.
“How are you, Nathalie?”
“I’m fine.”
I took the empty seat beside Ella.
Before I could say anything else, I heard a familiar voice.
“Nathalie?”
I turned.
My heart sank.
Ivanka.
She was standing beside Zachary, her arms wrapped around his.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Of course.
She had to be here.
Jealousy burned through me as I watched her cling to him.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
She wanted me to feel jealous.
And judging from the satisfied smile on her face, it was working.
“Can we join you?” Ivanka asked sweetly.
I forced a smile.
“Sure.”
Ella stared at me as if she could see straight through my fake smile.
Zachary sat beside Ivanka.
“I’ve already ordered for us,” he said casually.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
William glanced between us.
“So, Nathalie, what are you planning to do about your career?”
Before I could answer, Ella jumped in.
“Yeah, Nath. What about your modeling?”
I knew exactly what she was doing.
She wanted Ivanka to hear everything.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I replied.
William smiled.
“You could always take some time away. Pregnancy changes a lot of things.”
I placed a protective hand over my stomach.
“I know.”
Across the table, Ivanka tightened her grip around Zachary’s arm.
I looked away.
I refused to let her see how much it hurt.
This was my life now.
I was Zachary’s wife.
I was carrying his child.
And even if his heart still belonged to Ivanka…
I had to learn how to survive without begging him to love me.
- Writer
