Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours

(Lila)“He never even knew my real name,” I said, staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror while Maria, our longtime housekeeper, pinned my hair up. “For a whole year, I was just Lila. No last name. No family legacy. No Montgomery fortune.”“Miss Lila—”“Do you know what the funny thing is?” I cut her off, pressing my hand to my temple. “When I saw him…something just clicked. Like I knew him from somewhere.”Maria’s face went blank. I’d seen that expression before, whenever I asked about my childhood.“The doctors said your memories might return naturally,” she said, busying herself with my jewelry box. “It was your brain’s way of protecting itself.”“Eight years old,” I muttered, picking up an old photograph from my bedside table. I stared at the faded image—a summer barbecue, a little girl with pigtails turned away from the camera, standing next to a teenage boy.Everything before that car crash was a blank slate. Sometimes I’d get flashes—the smell of cotton candy, a warm hand

(Lila)I stood in the powder room, gripping the marble counter as I tried to steady my nerves. Nick had excused himself to take a business call, leaving me alone for the first time since our dance. My reflection stared back at me, red dress striking against my pale skin, diamonds glittering at my ears like tears.The door opened behind me. I saw him in the mirror before I heard him—Ethan. He locked the door behind him.“This is the ladies’ room.”“Cut the act, Lila.” He stepped closer, and his reflection grew larger in the mirror as he did. “Or should I say, Ms. Montgomery?”My heart stopped. “How—”“How long have I known?” He barked out a laugh. “That you’re Jonathan Montgomery’s daughter? That you’re the heiress to the empire that’s been trying to take over my company for years?”I turned to face him, lifting my chin. “Does it matter?”“Does it matter?” He slammed his hand against the counter, making me jump. “You played me for a fool for an entire year!”“Played you?” My voice ros

(Lila)“You really didn’t have to walk me to my car,” I said, fumbling with my clutch as Nick and I made our way through the parking garage.“And miss the chance to spend more time with my fake girlfriend? Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you wander around a dark garage alone?”“The kind who knows I have three security guards within shouting distance?”He glanced at the men in black suits pretending to be invisible but watching from the corners.“Fair point. Though I have to say, being your pretend boyfriend comes with some interesting perks. Did you see Ethan’s face when we were dancing?”“Nick…” I blinked but couldn’t see straight, and I grabbed his arm to steady myself.“Whoa, careful there. You okay?”“Just dizzy. Probably shouldn’t have skipped dinner.”“And whose fault is that?” He kept his arm around my waist as we walked. “I distinctly remember trying to get you to eat something besides champagne.”“You sound like my brother.”“God forbid. I’ve met Alexander

(Nick)“You’re staring again,” Lila said without looking up from her tablet. She sat cross-legged on my couch, reviewing merger documents, completely unaware of how she’d turned my world upside down in less than two weeks.“Can’t help it.” I watched her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re distracting.”“I’m working.”“In my shirt.”She glanced down at the oversized dress shirt she’d borrowed after spending another night in my guest room. “It’s comfortable.”“It’s mine.”“Planning to take it back?”“Depends.” I moved closer. “Are you wearing anything under it?”She threw a pillow at my head. “Behave. We have to tell our parents today.”Right. Our engagement. The fake one that felt more real every time she smiled at me.“Father wants to meet at the Baldwin estate,” I said, catching the pillow. “Apparently, news of us dating has already reached him.”“Nervous?”“About facing the great Jonathan Montgomery? Terrified.”She finally looked up. “I meant about seeing your father.”“A

(Lila)I drifted in and out of consciousness, aware of being carried upstairs but unable to protest. Ethan’s arms were too familiar, too comfortable. I could feel his heart beating right there against my ear just like it used to during our lazy Sunday mornings.“I’ve got her,” Ethan said.“Like hell you do.” Nick snapped me back to reality. “Give her to me.”“She needs to lie down.”“Then I’ll take her to lie down.” Nick’s footsteps followed us up the grand staircase. “She’s my fiancée!”Ethan’s arms tightened. “And she just fainted in my hallway.”“Your hallway?” Nick laughed harshly. “Last I checked, this was Father’s house.”My stomach lurched again as we reached the landing. I tried to open my eyes, but everything was too bright.“The blue room’s closest,” Ethan said, and he changed his direction.“I know where the damn blue room is.” Nick’s voice got closer. “I grew up here too, remember?”They led me into what looked like a bedroom. Ethan laid me on something soft—a bed, probabl