Stanton Unconditional by T L Swan Read Free Book Online Page B

stayed together and had genetic testing … for pregnancy and things.” My eyes widen as I understand. She sobs out loud.
    “I knew I had to keep you apart … at all costs.” I nod as I grab her hand and she squeezes it.
    “Natasha, will you keep my secret … please. No good can come of this getting out. Joshua will be devastated, Robert will be devastated. This man will lose everything and take vengeance on me. Robert will probably leave me and Joshua will not be a Stanton.” I frown as my tears threaten again.
    “Margaret, you are asking me to lie to the man I love. I can’t do that,”I whisper.
    She shakes her head. “No, not lie … just not mention it and then if it comes to him having to know, I will tell him and I will pretend that you didn’t know anything about it … I swear I will never implicate you in any of this mess.”
    I rub my hands through my hair. “Margaret, I wish you hadn’t told me,” I whisper angrily.
    She nods. “I know but I had to, you were both so devastated. I have never seen a love like yours Natasha. You really are soulmates … I believe that … you believe that … Joshua knows that. How could I keep it from you? Keep you from each other when I knew the truth.”
    I frown as I drain my coffee cup. I put my head into my hands on the table. “This is fucked up Margaret, and I’m a psychologist … I deal with fucked up well.”
    She smiles and grabs my hand. “I know dear. I’m sorry to put you in this situation but what choice do I honestly have? If you can think of another way out of this where Joshua doesn’t get hurt please let me know. I’ll be all for it.” I sit in silence for ten minutes quietly drinking my second coffee as I wrack my brain for another avenue to follow. I’ve got nothing. I nod as I blow out a heavy breath in resignation. She’s right … there is no way out of it. I have no choice but to lie. Joshua deserves better.

Chapter 4
    A t five-thirty I return to Joshua’s room to find it empty. His belongings, my fold-up bed, everything … gone.
    Max and I are puzzled until a nurse approaches us. “Are you Natasha Stanton?” she asks.
    I smile proudly. “Yes.”
    “Your husband has been moved upstairs to the private wing and asked me to let you know where he is.”
    “Oh ok, thank you,” I reply.
    “Take the lift up to level seven and then you will see a large set of grey doors with a security code on your right. Push the buzzer and you will be buzzed in,” she answers.
    I smile again. “Ok thanks.” We ride the lift in silence. My mind is heavily weighed down by Margaret’s story t. I can’t believe I actually feel sorry for her. Can you imagine what it must be like to hold a secret like that in for twenty-seven … actually, no, she said she found out when he was sixteen, so eleven years. And it is such a bad secret … my poor baby, he has no idea. God, this is such a mess. Have I done the right thing agreeing to keep this quiet? What if he finds out later that I knew all along and then leaves me for deceiving him? It’s entirely possible. I’m just as bad as his mother … but what choice do we have? It’s him we are protecting. What a fucking nightmare . We arrive at the security doors and a janitor is cleaning the foyer near the double doors.
    Max speaks first. “Natasha Stanton to see her husband.” I smile at the floor—that sounds really, really good.
    The bored receptionist’s voice echoes through the speaker. “Yes, come in.” The doors open. We reach the receptionist’s desk. “I would like to see my husband. Which room is he in?”
    “Of course, the last door on the right.” I smile at Max and we head down the corridor towards the last door on the right and it opens to a large private lounge area complete with television, cable and a kitchen.
    I frown at Max. “This is random.” He smiles and nods. There is a cleaner in there restocking the kitchen.
    “Hello,” I smile.
    She smiles.