All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

~CELINE’S POV~I don’t remember the last time I breathed out without it sounding like a defense mechanism.The night is too quiet—the kind of quiet that makes your thoughts louder than they should be. I’m curled into one of the old chairs on the back terrace, nursing a cup of tea that’s gone cold, trying not to think about the things I shouldn’t be feeling. Or the man I shouldn’t be watching.The glow from the windows behind us flickers against the stone like a soft warning: ‘You don’t belong here.’Caroline slumps next to me, barefoot, in an oversized sweater that probably costs more than my entire month’s salary. She curls the stem of her wineglass like she’s considering telling a secret.I wish she wouldn’t.“You don’t hate him as much as you pretend,” she says.I blink at her, caught off guard by the sudden detour into dangerous territory.“I don’t pretend anything,” I say, quietly. Too quietly.She hums, not bothering to hide her amusement. “Then why do you steal glances at him

~HUNTER’S POV~She doesn’t know I saw her watching me.Or maybe she does.Celine thinks she’s quiet. Tucking her chin down, shifting her eyes away just in time. But I’m not a stranger to hiding. I know what it looks like when someone is trying not to feel something.And right now, she’s doing a shit job pretending.She’s trying to clean. Wiping down the same corner of the banister for the last three minutes. I know because I’ve been watching her instead of the blueprint Vincent’s holding out in front of me.“Earth to Hunter,” Vincent says, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “You gonna pretend to care about this support beam, or should we all just stand around and admire the help?”I look at him, deadpan. “You’re not funny.”Vincent shrugs with a cocky smirk. “She’s hot, man. I’m just saying what we’re all thinking. Right, Fabian?”Fabian, the new guy I had Cole replace with clears his throat beside me. Doesn’t answer. But I see it—the hint of his gaze toward her. Staying too lo

~HUNTER~I shuffle through the stack of papers on my desk, frustration building with each document that isn't what I need. The Stevens contract should be here somewhere."Damn it," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. Caroline would know where everything is. My cousin might be a pain in my ass, but she has an uncanny ability to organize my chaos.I check my watch—past six. The meeting with the investors is tomorrow morning, and I need those documents tonight.Grabbing my phone, I dial Caroline's number. Straight to voicemail. Perfect.I stride from my office, making my way toward the kitchen where I'd last seen her with Caesar. The thought of the boy sends an uncomfortable jolt through my chest. Those blue eyes. His question. "Maybe you can be my daddy?"I shake the thought away. Not now. I can't deal with that right now.The kitchen is quiet when I enter, only Sally, the head maid, wiping down the counters. She straightens immediately when she sees me."Mr. Reid," she says, he

~CELINE~The next morning, I step out of the staff quarter making my way to the main house. The early sun casts long shadows across the immaculate lawns, dew still clinging to the grass. I'd woken earlier than usual, Caesar's restless night meant little sleep for either of us. Still, there was work to be done.Inside, the mansion feels unusually quiet. Only two maids are around, dusting in the main foyer. When I ask about the others, they explain that Sally, Ana, and the rest have gone grocery shopping to pick up other supplies the mansion needed."They left early," one of them says, not quite meeting my eyes. "Sally said they'd be back by noon."I nod, understanding what isn't being said. I'm being excluded again. The other staff have formed their cliques, their alliances. And I—the single mother, the newest hire, the one who seems to catch Mr. Reid's attention too often, being on the outside."That's fine," I say, forcing a smile. "I needed the rest anyway."After checking my dut

~CELINE~My hands won't stop shaking.I stumble down the hallway, nearly crashing into one of the side tables. The sound of Hunter's door slamming behind me echoes in my ears.Oh my God. I just saw my boss naked. Completely, utterly naked.And not just naked—freshly showered, water droplets sliding down his muscular chest, over his perfect abs, lower to his...I press my palm against my hot cheek. What's wrong with me? I should be mortified, not... whatever this feeling is that's making my heart race and my skin flush."Celine? Are you alright?"I look up to find Sally, the head housekeeper, watching me with concern. I must look like a mess—face flaming red, eyes wide, breathing too fast."I—I'm fine," I lie. "Just... Mr. Reid was in his room when I went to collect the laundry. I didn't know he was home."Understanding flickers across Sally's face. "I'll go check if he needs anything."She heads toward Hunter's room, and I flee downstairs, desperate for fresh air. I slip out the back