21 Chapter 21 – A Calculated Truce
Nathaniel’s POVO
“What do we know about her?” I asked Raymond, pacing near the window of my office.
Raymond adjusted his glasses. “Juliana Johnson. Twenty–six. Supposedly the illegitimate daughter of Cameron Johnson. Left home at eighteen. Lives in an average apartment downtown Works as a lab assistant at Meridian Pharmaceuticals.”
I stopped pacing. “That doesn’t add up. A lab assistant doesn’t earn enough for the lifestyle she
maintains.”
“Exactly. Her finances show multiple income streams–all legitimate but carefully obscured. She Jowns several small businesses through shell companies.”
I narrowed my eyes. “So she’s hiding something.”
“Without question. And her education records are impressive. Multiple degrees in biochemistry and pharmacology, all obtained quietly.”
My phone buzzed. The hospital. I answered immediately.
“Mr. Ricardo, Dr. Lin here. I’ve reviewed your grandmother’s case. I believe we should try that experimental treatment you mentioned.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “You mean Dr. Bella’s research?”
“Yes. Her work on neurodegenerative diseases shows promise. If we could get her involved-”
“I’m working on it,” I cut in. “Her identity is… elusive.”
Raymond slid a folder across my desk after I hung up. “The divorce papers are ready, sir.”
I scanned them quickly. “Have the lawyers meet us at the hospital after my grandmother’s check–up. I want this marriage dissolved today.”
“Very well. And what about locating this Dr. Bella?”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Keep searching. My grandmother’s time is running out.”
The hospital corridor smelled of antiseptic and despair. Grandmother smiled when she saw me, her eyes lighting up with recognition–a good day, then. The nurse finished her checks and left
us alone.
“Nathaniel,” she said, patting my hand. “You look tired. Is it the company?”
“No, Grandmother. Just busy.” I squeezed her hand gently. “How are you feeling?”
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“Better now that you’re here.” Her gaze drifted to the door. “Is she coming too?”
I frowned. “Who?”
“Your wife, of course. Juliana.”
My blood ran cold. “Grandmother, I’m not-”
The door opened, and there she stood–Juliana Johnson. Our eyes locked. She looked as surprised to see me as I was to see her.
“Mrs. Ricardo,” she said, recovering quickly. “I brought the books you asked for.”
Grandmother beamed. “Come in, dear! Nathaniel just arrived.”
Juliana hesitated, then entered, placing a bag of books on the bedside table. She kept a careful distance from me.
“I didn’t realize you’d be here,” she murmured.
“Likewise,” I replied stiffly.
Grandmother looked between us, confusion clouding her features. “Why are you two so formal?
You’re married!”
Juliana’s eyes widened slightly before she composed herself. “Mrs. Ricardo-”
“Call me Grandmother, dear. You always forget.”
I cleared my throat. “Grandmother, there’s something we need to discuss-”
“Later,” Juliana cut in with surprising firmness. She glanced meaningfully at the heart monitor.
“Let’s not upset her.”
I clenched my jaw but nodded. She was right.
“The doctor says I can go home tomorrow,” Grandmother announced happily. “You two will take me, won’t you?”
“Of course,” I said automatically.
The door opened again. Raymond entered with a thin man in a sleek suit–my divorce lawyer. Perfect timing.
“Mr. Ricardo, everything is prepared,” he announced, oblivious to the tension.
Grandmother’s face fell. “Prepared for what?”
Before I could answer, another man entered–shorter, with kind eyes behind wire–rimmed glasses.
“Juliana, I have the papers you requested,” he said, then noticed everyone else. “Oh, I apologize
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for interrupting.”
“No interruption,” my lawyer said smoothly. “We’re all here for the same purpose.”
“Which is?” Grandmother asked, her voice suddenly sharp.
Juliana and I exchanged glances. She gave a tiny nod.
“Grandmother,” I began carefully, “Juliana and I-”
“They want a divorce!” Raymond blurted out.
The silence that followed was deafening. Grandmother’s face drained of color. The heart monitor began beeping erratically.
“No,” she whispered. “Not again. Please, not again.”
She clutched at her chest, gasping for air. The monitor screamed. Juliana lunged for the call button while I grabbed Grandmother’s hand.
“Code Blue! Room 307!” a voice announced over the intercom.
Everything blurred into chaos after that.
Juliana’s POV
I paced the hospital waiting room, my heart pounding. What had Raymond been thinking, blurting out news like that to an elderly woman with heart problems?
Nathaniel sat rigid in a chair, his face a mask of controlled fury. His lawyer and mine stood awkwardly at opposite ends of the room. Raymond was nowhere to be seen–probably hiding
from his boss’s wrath.
After what felt like eternity, Dr. Lin emerged. We both rushed to him.
“She’s stable,” he said before we could speak. “But this was à severe shock to her system.”
“Can we see her?” Nathaniel asked, his voice strained.
“Briefly. But first-” Dr. Lin’s expression hardened. “Whatever upset her so dramatically cannot happen again. Her heart won’t survive another shock like this.”
Nathaniel nodded grimly. “Understood.”
We followed the doctor to the ICU. Old Mrs. Margaret looked tiny and fragile against the white sheets. She brightened slightly when she saw us.
“You came together,” she whispered. “Good.”
Nathaniel took her hand. “I’m right here, Grandmother.”
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“Both of you, listen” Her voice was weak but determined. “I won’t let you divorce. I won’t
“Mrs. Ricardo-“1 beggan
“No” She tried to sit up setting off the monitors again. “Promise me! Promise you won’t divorce until fur gone!”
Dr. Lin shot us a warning look from the doorway Nathaniel’s jaw worked silently before he nodded
“We won’t divorce, Grandmother. I promise”
She turned her pleading eyes to me. I swallowed hard.
“I promise too” I said, the words sticking in my
She relaxed back against the pillows. “Good. Now I can rest”
Outside in the hallway, Nathaniel dismissed the lawyers. Once they were gone, he turned to me, his expression thunderous.
“This changes nothing” he said in a low voice. “We’ll postpone the
the divorce, not cancel it.”
“Agreed” I replied coolly: “Once she’s better-”
“She won’t get better” he cut in “The Alzheimer’s is advancing too quickly. But we can at least ensure she doesn’t suffer another heart attack over this… situation”
I nodded slowly. “A truce, then. Until it’s safe to proceed”
“Exactly. A calculated truce.” His eyes narrowed. “But don’t think this means I trust you, Miss Johnson.”
“The feeling is mutual, Mr. Ricardo” I crossed my arms. “How long do we maintain this charade?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t know. Weeks. Maybe months.”
The prospect of being tied to this man for months made my stomach twist. My IPO plans would
have to wait,
“I have a proposition, he said suddenly, “Come work at Ricardo Group.”
I blinked in surprise. “What?”
“My grandmother will insist on seeing us together. This gives us a legitimate reason.” His eyes were calculating. “Plus, I can keep an eye on you”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” Lasked dryly
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Something like that.”
I considered the offer. Working at Ricardo Group would give me access to their pharmaceutical
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research database–potentially valuable for my Alzheimer’s research. Two could play at this game.
“Fine,” I said finally, “But I set my own hours. I have other commitments.”
“Your mysterious side businesses?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I stiffened. “That’s not your concern.”
“Everything about you is my concern now, wife.” The word dripped with sarcasm.
Before I could retort, a nurse approached us. “Mrs. Ricardo is asking for Juliana.”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. “Go. We’ll finish this discussion later.”
I nodded curtly and followed the nurse back to the ICU. Old Mrs. Margaret was sitting up slightly, looking stronger.
“Come, sit,” she patted the edge of her bed. “I have something to tell you.”
I sat carefully, “What is it?”
She glanced around conspiratorially, then leaned closer.
“Granddaughter–in–law, let me share a secret with you…”
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