Chapter 9

Oliver was momentarily stunned as Natalie closed the door and left without looking back. "She left just like that?" he thought. "Oliver, it seems Natalie is really angry," Linda suggested. "Maybe you should try to coax her." Coax Natalie? Over the years, Oliver had been in positions of power for so long that everyone around him had to read his mood. How could he ever lower himself to coax Natalie? Besides, she had seen him at his lowest, most helpless moments. He hated that version of himself and, in turn, even began to resent Natalie, who remained with him. She came from a happy, harmonious family, had an honorable career, and carried herself with restraint and grace, but he was like an underground rat, clawing his way out of the mire to survive. So, when someone like Linda—clean, youthful, and seemingly sharing his struggles—appeared, he didn't hesitate to cheat on Natalie. Oliver enjoyed Linda worshipping him, her passion and intensity so different from Natalie's steady affec