บททั้งหมดของ Loathe by the Billionaire : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Kayla "How much—" I asked my voice started hitching. I had to swallow hard just to get the words out. "How much would something like that even cost, Dad?" My father looked at the floor his was voice barely audible over the hum of the hospital vending machines. "The surgeon gave us an estimate for the private list and the procedure itself. Between the surgery, the anti-rejection meds, and the specialized recovery care... we're looking at $250,000." My heart almost gave in. I physically staggered and I placed my hand on my chest manually restart my heartbeat. A quarter of a million. "Twenty-five hundred... thousand?" I whispered, my vision blurring. "And that's if we find a match quickly," Chelsea added, stepping closer. "If she has to stay on long-term dialysis while we wait, the costs just keep climbing. Kayla, we don't have that kind of time. Or that kind of money." I looked at my father, who was staring at his hands as if he could somehow conjure the money out of thin air.

Kayla I walked straight into Damien’s arms the moment I saw him in the lobby. I buried my face in his chest, feeling the expensive fabric of his polo shirt against my skin. "Damien, I’m so sorry about last night," I started to whisper, my voice thick with guilt. "I shouldn't have—" He pulled back just enough to look at me, stopping me mid-sentence. "Don't apologize, Kayla." He paused, scanning my face. Probably looking at the worry lines that formed in the last hour. "I’m so sorry about your mum. How is she doing? How are you doing?" "I'm okay," I said, but even as I said it, a single tear escaped and slid down my cheek. Damien reached out and gently wiped it away with his thumb. "Has she been moved yet?" he asked. "Yes," I replied, but then I paused, biting my lip. I felt little embarrassed. What kind of daughter is unable to take care of her own mother. Damien narrowed his eyes slightly. "What’s the matter?" I took a deep breath. "The specialist, Doctor Aris... She called m

Kayla My phone vibrated on the bedside table. The only buzzing sound cut through the quiet of my room. It had been an entire week since Mom’s surgery, and she was recovering so well it felt like a miracle. I had taken a few days off work to stay by her side, and Damien had completely approved without a second thought. He had been so supportive and present that I was actually starting to forget our whole relationship was transactional. I reached out and picked up the phone, hearing Chelsea’s voice screaming on the other end before I could even say hello. "Check the news! Check social media! Check anywhere right now!" "Chelsea, why are you yelling so early in the morning?" I groaned, rubbing my eyes to wake myself up. I squinted at my digital clock: 6:30 AM. "What is going on?" "Just look at the headlines, Kayla! Now!" I pulled the phone away from my ear and opened my browser. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the bold letters splashed across the front page: CEO OF VANCE & VARN

Kayla I leaned back against the plush velvet of the booth, the ice in my drink rattling as my hand shook just a little. I and the girls had already done four rounds of shots so I was feeling very chatty. "Of course they're talking, Monet. Let's look at the facts. The man is a billionaire CEO who breathes rarified air, and I’m just his fucking secretary. To them, I'm just a glitch in his system." Monet slammed her glass down on the table, snapping. "Kayla, stop it. Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. Think about it. That man could have anyone. He has socialites, professional athletes, supermodels, and the daughters of top executives throwing themselves at him every single day. He could have a literal heiress with a snap of his fingers. But he didn't. He chose you. Remember that." I let out a long, shaky sigh, staring into the swirling amber liquid of my cocktail. "You're right. I know you're right." "But just be careful," Jenna added. She leaned over the table, her expre

Kayla I got into work early the next morning. My head was still feeling a little heavy from the night before. I was hung over. As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted Joan. She pulled me into a tight hug before I could even say good morning. "How’s your mum?" she asked, pulling back to look at me. "She’s still under observation, but doing a whole lot better," I said, giving her a genuine smile. "The doctors are really happy with her progress." Joan nodded, but then her expression shifted. She crossed her arms and gave me a pointed look. "So... we’re not done with our conversation from last time." "Uhh," I said, nervously brushing a stray hair out of my face. "What conversation?" I knew exactly what she was talking about. "Kayla! Don't play dumb with me," Joan hissed, leaning in close. "I’ve been patient with you because of the surgery, but give me the tea. You and the boss? The news? The Vances? It’s like a soap opera and I need to know everything." Before I could answ