Honestly, Robert's bitterness was written across his face. If not for Natalie, we'd have zero contact. Robert should thank God that Natalie inherited most of her mother's genes.
Natalie... there I went thinking about her again.
"I know you and Natalie might have had some misunderstanding recently, but don't worry, I've already spoken to her..."
"You talked to her already?" I cut him off.
"That's right. Five days ago, I contacted Natalie. She realizes now how wrong it was to throw a tantrum with you..."
I didn't hear another word.
Five days ago, Robert had contacted Natalie. And she still hadn't reached out to me.
Even knowing her father's company was hanging by a thread, completely dependent on my goodwill, Natalie still wouldn't contact me.
Damn it.
This was spiraling completely out of control.
I set down my glass, my expression dark.
Robert probably thought he'd said something wrong. He watched me carefully. "Richard? Are you all right..."
I ignored him, cutting through the crowd and leaving the ballroom. I drove straight to Winslow Apartments.
The city streets blurred into streaks of light outside my window.
One thought consumed me. Find Natalie. Now. Screw waiting for her to cave. Whatever it took, I had to bind her to me.
The car stopped outside Winslow Apartments. I rushed upstairs—this dump didn't even have an elevator.
I found her door and knocked.
No answer.
I knocked again, harder.
"Natalie, open up. I know you're in there."
Still nothing.
Unease crept back in. I raised my hand again.
The door next to hers cracked open. An elderly woman with reading glasses and gray hair poked her head out. "Stop knocking! That girl left ages ago! Five nights ago, dragged her suitcase out in the middle of the night. Landlord's already listing it again!"
Five days ago.
The same night I gave her the divorce papers, she left?
Where did she go?
I turned and headed downstairs, my mind racing.
Gina... Gina would know.
The lights wereon at Gina's apartment. I rang the bell. The door opened quickly. Gina stood there in pajamas, hair messy, her expression shifting from surprise to undisguised mockery.
"Wow, look who it is." She crossed her arms, blocking the doorway with no intention of letting me in. "Mr. Winston makesa late-night visit. I'm so honored, considering what a busy man you are..."
