บททั้งหมดของ I Hate You, Mr Billionaire. : บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 67

The applause crashes over the room like a wave, but it's mixed with all these gasps and murmurs rippling through the crowd. People are whispering behind their hands, eyes darting around like they've just heard the punchline to some twisted joke. I stand there frozen, my heart pounding in my ears, as Grandfather's words sink in. Produce an heir? Like we're all pieces in his little dynasty board game? Now I get why Damien hates the old man so much. It's straight-up unethical, using unborn kids as gambling chips for who gets the throne. But this is the Montgomery family way, apparently. Ruthless deals and power plays are just how things roll. No wonder Lucian's built like a fortress; he's been navigating this crap his whole life.But why is Grandfather so damn confident I'll be the one to "win" this for Lucian? Enough to dangle that contract in front of me like bait? Does he think I'm that desperate, or does he see something in me that I don't? My stomach twists at the thought. I glance

Moving my body feels so much like a hassle. The ceiling stares back at me, same as it has for the past—I don't even know how long. Sunlight's bleeding through the curtains, so bright and aggressive, It’s cursing at me for rotting so long in bed. My head pounds. My mouth tastes like regret and old lipstick.Yesterday was a disaster waiting to happen. It just needed the perfect trigger to set everything ablaze.And boy, did we deliver.I'm still wearing my gala outfit. The champagne dress is wrinkled beyond saving, twisted around my legs like it tried to strangle me in my sleep. One heel is on the floor. The other's somewhere near the bathroom. I don't remember kicking them off. I don't remember much after—I squeeze my eyes shut. But that doesn't stop the replay. Lucian's face. His words. The way he looked at me like I was something he'd scraped off his shoe."You keep pretending you're fighting for your dignity, but deep down you're still the same broke girl who spread her legs for a

My brain short-circuits.That's the only way to describe it, every circuit in my head just... dies. Fizzles out. Leaves nothing but static and the high-pitched whine of panic.“Since when have you had feelings for Lucian?”The question echoes, bounding off the walls of my skull..How long has she known? Did she always know? Was it obvious? Did everyone know aside from me? Did Lucian figure it out before I did?I open my mouth. Close it. Open it again.Nothing comes out.Say something. Say anything! Lie if you have too. Deflect. Laugh it off like it's the punchline to a joke you don't get. Tell her she's being ridiculous, that you hate him, that you've always hated him, that the very idea is insane and she should probably let me examine her head examined for even suggesting—But the words won't come.Because she's looking at me with those eyes. Those green eyes that have known me since before either of us understood what "known" meant. And lying to her right now would be like lying to