All Chapters of Life as a sinclair : Book 1: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Rory’s POV ​I figured if I pitched this at the office, it would be way less embarrassing than doing it in private. Here, surrounded by fluorescent lighting and corporate jargon, I could keep it strictly professional. Rational. A business proposal. ​I took a deep breath, marched up to Billy’s corner office, and knocked twice. ​"Come in," his voice called out. ​I pushed the door open and stepped inside, shutting it firmly behind me. Billy was at his desk, reviewing a stack of documents, looking every bit the pristine executive in his dark suit. ​"I need to speak to you, please," I said, my heart hammering a chaotic rhythm against my ribs. ​He set his pen down, gesturing to the leather armchair across from him. "Take a seat." ​I took two steps toward the chair, hesitated, and quickly backed up. "No, no, no. I can't sit." ​Billy leaned back, folding his hands over his knee with a slight tilt of his head. "Okay. Then stand." ​"I... I am..." I pointed aimlessly around the room, my

Rory’s POV​I stood in front of the full-length mirror, taking a final look at myself before this non-date date.​The dress Diana helped me pick was a stunning, fitted red silk number that hugged every curve before falling cleanly at my knees. My blonde hair was freshly blown out, falling in soft, radiant waves around my shoulders, and my makeup was sharp and glowing. I didn't bother hiding my tattoos, either—the small, delicate ink behind my ear, the piece on my shoulder, and the tiny designs on my fingers were all on full display.​My phone buzzed on the vanity, and I picked it up to see a text from Marcus. I had slept off right after sending a quick reply last night, but he had texted again early this morning:​‘Hey Rory, when are you free next? Let me take you out for a drink.’​I tapped my chin, thinking it through. Strictly speaking, my contract with Billy didn't forbid me from hanging out with other guys—and going out with Marcus was a great way to stay close to Diana’s family

Rory’s POV ​Marcus took me to a low-key, cozy little diner tucked away in a downtown side street. The place smelled like fresh roasted coffee beans and warm cinnamon, with worn brick walls and simple wooden booths. ​I looked around the small space, shifting in the vinyl seat. I don't think I've ever been in a place like this in my entire life. Coming from the Sinclair world of private chefs, white tablecloths, and strict etiquette, this casual atmosphere was almost foreign to me. ​Marcus caught me looking around and gave me a warm, slightly sheepish grin. "I know it’s not super luxurious, but I just thought it was perfect for our first lunch date. For our actual date date, though... I'm going to surprise you." ​I smiled, setting my hands on the table. "It's totally okay, Marcus. I don't mind at all. This is really nice—and honestly, I've never been here before." ​"Good, then I get to be your first," he winked, reaching for the menu between us. ​"So, what's good here?" I asked, s

Rory’s POV​When I woke up the next morning, the space beside me on the studio couch was cold and empty.​I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, expecting Billy to have slipped away quietly like he usually did. But when I walked into the kitchenette, my jaw practically dropped. Sitting on the counter under a silver cover was a fresh breakfast spread—warm pastries, sliced fruit, and a cup of coffee resting inside an insulated tumbler.​A small, genuine laugh escaped my lips as I took a bite of a croissant. Is this guy a robot or something? Every single time I thought I had him figured out, he pulled another move that completely blew my expectations out of the water.​As I ate, my mind drifted back to last night.​Billy thought I was fast asleep when he snuck out to his car and picked up that late-night phone call, but the truth was, I was a light sleeper. The second he moved off the couch, I was awake—I just stayed still, not wanting to make things awkward. I had overheard him talki

Billy’s POV ​I sat in Carter’s modern living room, staring down at the low glass table where two ice-filled glasses rested untouched. The heavy silence between us was cut only by the faint hum of the city outside. ​I had just finished telling him everything Dr. Harrison laid out at the clinic—the spiking toxicity levels, the rapid organ decline, and the non-negotiable ultimatum for a liver transplant. ​Carter stared at me, his usual carefree smirk completely wiped clean. "Billy, you need to tell your parents. You need to tell your mom, precisely, right now. Today." ​"No," I said firmly, leaning back and rubbing my face with both hands. "I told you, Carter, I don't want them involved. You know my father. You know what he’s capable of when he wants something fixed. He could literally bribe a hospital board, manipulate the registry, or practically kidnap someone to steal their liver off the record. I am not letting an innocent person suffer or go down for me." ​"So what's the altern