The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 160

Drawing the Line?

Nathaniel’s mind went blank.

This certainly was… not the Serena he used to know.

“But I want to be with you and the kids,” he firmly expressed. “I want us to be together as a family.”

“And I said,” Serena sighed, turning her back to him, “I’m not ready for that kind of commitment. I don’t want expectations.”

Nathaniel walked up to her and asked, “Not even as—” He hated using the term. They should have been past the courting stage, because they already had kids. “Not even as your… boyfriend?”

Serena glanced at him. “No, not even.”

“And I can’t let my dad or my brother know about this—” she made air quotes, turning to him again. “—understanding we have going on.”

“I thought I was very public,” he reminded her, his eyes narrowing.

“In Velmon, yes. But around my parents and my brother, you need to put a safe distance,” Serena made it clear.

What was happening?

Exes with benefits? Understanding? These were lines usually given by a Casanova, but now Serena was the one laying all the terms.

“So you’re going to pretend like you’re still single?” Nathaniel asked.

“I am still single,” Serena said.

“Does that mean you’ll date other men?” he asked, his voice rising a little.

“If they’re worthy of my time, why not?” Serena answered, lifting her chin.

Nathaniel felt his throat go dry. He immediately regretted asking that question. Had he given her that idea?

“That’s not like you at all,” he pointed out.

"I'm not entirely the same woman you used to know," she said. "Or love. You have to accept that about me."

Nathaniel raked his fingers through his hair and said, “What about me? That means I can date other women. I can do that… very easily.”

He could, but he knew he never would. The mere thought exhausted him. He only wanted her reaction. Preferably jealousy. Or panic. Or anything that ended with her taking him seriously.

“Go ahead and try,” Serena said firmly. “If you do, you’ll never see the kids or me again.”

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. “How is that fair?”

"My decision is final," Serena said. "Take it or leave it."

Nathaniel groaned. Then, an idea crept into his mind. “Well, I’m not cheap. I’m not settling for this exes-with-benefits arrangement.”

“I’m drawing the line,” he said, fully convincing himself it would work. “If you want a piece of me, you’re going to have to claim me properly. At least call me your boyfriend!”

“Did you hear me?” He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m not going to kiss you or satisfy you in bed. No, that’s not going to happen.”

“My kisses come with commitment, Serena,” he added. “And so does my dick.”

‘Besides,’ he told himself, grasping at optimism. He had already planted his seeds. Biology was on his side. Time would do the rest. Either way, Serena would eventually fold.

“Forget about two straight nights of making love,” he said. “You’re not getting any tonight.”

He motioned toward the door. “I’m booking another room. You can forget about cuddling too. From now on, we’re strictly exes.”

“That had been the only thing I wanted, had you not been seducing me,” Serena said calmly.

Nathaniel, "..."

“Fine,” Nathaniel said.

“Fine!” Serena shot back. “I’ve already orgasmed enough to last me a decade. I’m good. You were good. We are both good.”

Minutes later, a hotel staff member delivered an entire pack of napkins. Nathaniel accepted it with a stiff nod, then walked toward the bathroom as if someone had just informed him of a tragic loss.

“Here, love,” he said, his voice flat and hollow.

When Serena stepped out, she muttered, “How could I forget my cycle?”

She glanced at him and frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

But she didn’t wait for an answer. She yawned instead. “I’m still tired. And I suddenly have a headache again. Must be because of last night. If you’re booking another room, then go. I’m going to sleep for a while.”

She climbed back onto the bed. When she noticed he still hadn’t moved, she raised an eyebrow.

Nathaniel inhaled.

Then exhaled.

He decided the best way to hide his shamelessness was to put on a performance of 'The Man Swallowing His Pride.’

“You know what?” he said. “I changed my mind.”

“Exes with benefits,” he continued solemnly, as if making a noble sacrifice, “doesn’t bother me.”

“I’m willing to take what you can give me,” he added. “Whether it’s half your heart… scraps… or even false promises.”

“Let me massage your head,” he said, already reaching into the bedside cabinet. “Lavender oil. It helps with headaches.”

“You know you’re doing this for yourself, not me,” Serena said, closing her eyes.

Nathaniel let out a long sigh, surrendering.

She certainly got him.

Nathaniel Thorne, the powerful CEO of multi-billion dollar companies, and an heir to the Collins empire, was officially now... reduced to being his ex-wife's secret lover.