บททั้งหมดของ Hiding The Billionaire's Son : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Samantha's POV Charlie is slumped against my shoulder, his small, warm breaths the only thing keeping me grounded. If they see his face... if they look at him for even a second too long, they’ll see the jawline, the blue eyes, the exact arch of the brow. My genes didn't even put up a fight; he is a carbon copy of the man standing ten feet away.Damian takes a step forward, his eyes fixed on the bundle in my arms. I take a sharp step back, my heels clicking like a warning.Georgia is already narrowing her eyes, her head tilted with the focus of a hawk calculating the trajectory of its prey. Beside her, Victoria’s gaze flits between my terrified face and the back of Charlie’s head. Lorraine stands perfectly still, her expression a mask of brittle composure that looks ready to crack. I shift my weight, turning Charlie’s face further into the crook of my neck. "This isn't the time or the place, Damian," I angle my body, trying to use my shoulder as a shield, but I know my body language

Damian's POV There's pure horror on her face as my words sink in, the white Turkish lace of her gown looking like a shroud in the midday sun. I should feel something—guilt, perhaps—but I am empty."The marriage is going to happen, Lorraine," I state coldly. The strong scent of her perfume is making my throat tighten. "We had a deal. I am participating in this wedding preparation because it is a partnership between our families. That is all." I turn to leave."And one more thing," I add, pausing without looking back. "Samantha has nothing to do with this. She is gone. Never mention her name near me again. Not today, not after we’re married. Never. This is your last warning.""And the love you made to me just days ago?" her voice cracks behind me, shrill. "What was that, Damian? Was that a partnership between families too?"I let out a jagged breath. I don't even turn around to face the wreckage of her expression. "I FUCKED. I fucked you because I was horny and you were the only avail

Samantha's POV"Mommy, this kitchen window is so big. I can watch the birds while I eat my cereal!"Charlie's face is pressed against the floor-to-ceiling glass of the third apartment we've seen today. His breath fogs up the window, and he draws a smiley face in it with his finger. The real estate agent glances."We'll take it," I say.The agent blinks. "That was a fast decision.""Yeah, thanks to Charlie." He already checked the water pressure in the bathroom. He already inspected the balcony for safety. I look at my son, who is now attempting to teach the agent's assistant how to make a foggy window smiley face. "He's very thorough."We sign the lease an hour later and Charlie skips out of the building like he owns it."Ice cream?" he asks."Ice cream," I agree.We walk through the park with our cones. Charlie's is chocolate, while mine is pistachio, because I am trying to pretend I have sophisticated tastes. The sun is warm, the grass is green, and my son is holding my hand and tal

Timothy's POV The sting on my cheek is nothing compared to the ice-cold precision of her voice. She isn’t just angry; she’s revolted."Pathetic?" I rasp. "Sam, no. You are getting it all wrong.""Oh, really?" She scoffs. "I tell you I’m ready to open my heart and suddenly you’re in love with me? After five years of nothing? You’re not in love, Timothy. You’re just playing the hero because you think I’m desperate for one.""That’s not it! I’ve been holding this in because I didn't want to pressure you!" I reach out, my fingers grazing the fleece of her sweatshirt, but she recoils as if I’m made of venom."Don't," she warns, her voice trembling but sharp. "Every kindness, every emergency run, every 'Uncle Tim' moment... I’m looking at them now and all I see is a lie.""Samantha, please don't do this. I was being a friend, I was being everything you needed!""I don't want to see you for a while, Timothy." She turns her back to me. "I’ll tell Charlie you went on a business trip. Don't sh

Samantha's POV I close the apartment door behind me and lean against it, my heart still racing. Love?Was he really in love with me?I walk to the kitchen and climb onto a high stool, my elbows on the counter, my head in my hands. If he truly loved me, I should have noticed. He was just... kind. That's all. Kind and steady and always there. I replay the look on his face when the security guard pushed him toward the exit. The confusion. The hurt. The way he called my name.I probably shouldn't have slapped him.If he only confessed because I mentioned looking for love, maybe it was just his protector mode kicking in again. Or maybe it was the secret he was guarding.What could be so dark, or so big that he’d trade our friendship for silence? I could already see him cornering me at the office tomorrow, eyes full of that wounded-puppy look. While I owe him an apology for the slap and security guard incident, I also owe myself the truth.I grab my laptop, but as I pass by the room, I s