Chapter 14 I spent my days curled up on the window seat , watching the snow fall . Nathan would try to engage , but I could barely muster the energy to respond . The silence felt safer than whatever this twisted reality had become . What would make you happy ? he asked one evening , his voice dripping with false concern . I glanced up from my book . I miss Lucy . Could I see her ? He smiled that practiced smile . Youre still recovering . Why not have her visit instead ? My heart skipped a possibility I hadnt dared hope for . Really ? He brushed my hair back , a gesture that once brought comfort but now made my skin crawl . Anything for you , sweetheart . True to his word , he brought Lucy up the mountain the next day . She rushed to hug me , her warmth so familiar it hurt . Emma ! God , so this is where youve been hiding some fancy mountain retreat ! I held her tight , joy and terror warring in my chest . At dinner , while I was trying to slip her my carefully folded note , Nathans casual question stopped me cold : Hows your fathers investment working out ? Lucy beamed , oblivious to the undercurrent . Dads so excited , he convinced the whole family to go all in ! Weve even leveraged everything for more shares ! Better not pull out on us ! She laughed , the sound echoing off the high ceilings . Or were completely ruined ! Nathans smile never wavered . Of course not . Emmas friends are family . The Perfect Husbands Secret 2 68.4 % the meaning was crystal clear . He turned to me , all warmth and concern . Isnt it nice having friends visit , darling ? I nodded mechanically , Two days later , he brought Sarah . She teared up seeing me . Last time I saw you , you were hooked up to machines . Thank God youre okay . knew her story all too well the gambling father , brother in prison , autistic son . Her salary kept them afloat . I couldnt risk it . Not for any of them . We sat in the courtyard after the snow , the fresh powder making everything look deceptively peaceful . Our laughter carried across the grounds probably the only genuine sound this place had heard in weeks . Remember college ? I mused . All our big plans to travel the world ? Life had other ideas . Sarah chuckled , waving to Nathan who watched from his second floor perch . Right ? If youd made that flight to Paris , maybe one of us wouldve lived the dream ! I went very still . Sarah ? Hmm ? How did you know … about Paris ? The silence that followed was deafening . Title: Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation In CrushReel's ongoing romance novel, "Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation," a young woman finds herself without a home after a heart-wrenching breakup with her boyfriend of four years. Following state policy, she is unexpectedly matched with a billionaire spouse, forever altering the course of her life. Amidst themes of love, resilience, and newfound wealth, readers are drawn into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. As the protagonist navigates her new reality alongside her billionaire partner, the complexities of their relationship unfold against the backdrop of opulent mansions and hidden secrets waiting to be revealed. What sets this modern romance apart is its unique blend of sweet romance and the intriguing dynamics between contract lovers in a contemporary setting. Fans of CEO romances will find themselves captivated by the unfolding tale that promises unexpected twists and heartfelt moments. Dive into this enchanting story, available to read at CrushReel, and discover a world where love knows no bounds.