Chapter 1: Rock Bottom

The email came at 9:47 AM.*Subject: Termination of Employment - Effective Immediately*Leighton Hayes stared at her phone screen, reading the words three times before they actually sank in. Fired. They were letting her go. Budget cuts, the email said. Last hired, first fired. She'd only been at the startup for eight months.Her hands shook as she shoved her few personal items into her bag. A coffee mug Chloe had given her. The succulent plant was already half dead. Her backup phone charger. The other designers wouldn't even look at her as security walked her out.Twenty-three years old and unemployed. Great.She sat in her car in the parking lot for ten minutes, just breathing. Trying not to cry. Failing.Her phone buzzed. A text from her landlord.*The rent is 5 days late. Please make the payment by 5 PM today, or I will have to start the eviction process.*Leighton let out a laugh that sounded more like a sob. Of course. Of course, this was happening on the same day.She checked he

Last Updated : 2025-11-27

Chapter 2: The Ice King

Leighton spent the next morning hiding in her room like a coward.She updated her resume. Applied to twelve jobs. Scrolled through apartment listings she couldn't afford. Anything to avoid going downstairs and risking another encounter with Noah.Her phone rang just after noon. Chloe."Hey, want to grab lunch? I'm off early today.""Sure. Where should I meet you?""I'm literally downstairs. Come down."Right. Because Chloe lived here too. Leighton had almost forgotten in her panic to avoid Noah.She changed out of her pajamas into jeans and a sweater, then made her way downstairs. This time in daylight, the house was even more impressive. And intimidating. Huge windows let in natural light that made everything gleam. The art on the walls probably cost more than she'd make in a year.She found Chloe in the kitchen, rifling through the fridge."Finally! I'm starving. Want to go to that Thai place you love?""I can't really afford to eat out right now.""My treat. Don't argue." Chloe gra

Last Updated : 2025-11-27

Chapter 3: Midnight Collision

Day three, and Leighton still couldn't sleep.She'd applied to twenty-seven jobs. Had one phone screen scheduled for tomorrow. Spent most of her time in her room, venturing out only when she was certain Noah was locked in his office or gone entirely.The avoidance strategy was working. She'd barely seen him since the kitchen incident last night.But now it was 1 AM, and her stomach was staging a revolt. The protein bar she'd eaten for dinner wasn't cutting it.She pulled on her sleep shorts and a thin camisole, too tired to bother with the hoodie. The house was always warm anyway. Noah probably had some fancy heating system that cost more per month than her old rent.This time, she knew the way to the kitchen. Small victories.The house was dark and quiet. She padded down the stairs, her bare feet silent on the cool marble. She was getting used to the space now. Starting to memorize which hallways led where, which doors opened to what rooms.The kitchen light was on.She froze at the

Last Updated : 2025-11-27

Chapter 4: Morning After

Leighton's alarm went off at seven. She'd slept maybe three hours, total.Her phone interview was at nine. She needed coffee. Needed to pull herself together and sound competent and employable instead of like someone who'd spent half the night obsessing over her best friend's brother.She showered and changed into actual clothes. A blouse and jeans, since they couldn't see her bottom half on the video call anyway. Light makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail.Professional. Put together. Definitely not thinking about Noah's eyes or his voice or the way he'd said *grew up*.She grabbed her laptop and crept downstairs. According to Chloe, Noah worked out every morning at six, then locked himself in his office until noon. Which meant the coast should be clear.The kitchen was empty. She made coffee, her hands still shaky from lack of sleep. The spot where the glass had shattered was spotless. Like it had never happened.She took her cof

Last Updated : 2025-11-27

Chapter 5: House Rules

Leighton spent the afternoon in her room, applying to more jobs and trying not to replay Noah's text message over and over in her head.*They're idiots.*Two words shouldn't matter this much.Around five, her stomach reminded her she'd only eaten toast all day. She ventured downstairs, hoping to grab something quick and escape back to her room before anyone noticed.The kitchen was occupied.Noah stood at the island, going through a stack of papers. He'd showered since this morning. His hair was still damp, pushed back from his face. He wore a black t-shirt and jeans, barefoot again. She was starting to think he never wore shoes in the house.He looked up when she entered. "Hey.""Hi." She moved toward the fridge, trying to act casual. Like this morning hadn't happened. Like she hadn't been caught watching him work out like some kind of stalker."We need to talk."She froze, her hand on the fridge door. "About what?""Ground rules.""Oh." She turned to face him. "Okay."He set down th

Last Updated : 2025-11-27

All Chapters of Under His Billionaire Roof: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Chapter 1: Rock Bottom

Chapter 2: The Ice King

Chapter 3: Midnight Collision

Chapter 4: Morning After

Chapter 5: House Rules