Page 80 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“She’s not going to ruin me, Nate. She loves me. And youaren’t going to tear us apart. So, next time, keep your bogus accusations to yourself and let us live our lives in peace.”

Stephen stormed toward him, slamming into his shoulder as he brushed past him on the way to the door.

It slammed resoundingly behind him, sending a start through Nate before he slid his eyes closed.

Nate slid the silk fabric between his fingers, staring at the dark material as the memory floated away. But the prediction that he’d lose Elena clung to every fiber of his being. Would he?

Prince Eric had made it clear that he wanted her. Her father had made it clear that he preferred the royal. And Elena, despite declaring that her heart belonged to him, would be forced to make a difficult choice. A choice he’d brought up in passing, and she’d firmly shot down.

He scrubbed his face, trying to force his mind onto the task at hand tonight. His royal dance with the Queen twisted his stomach into a tight knot.

Of course, he may not even make it to the ball if he couldn’t get his tie on straight. He rose and slogged back to the mirror to try again when a knock sounded at his door.

“Please be Mom,” he murmured to himself, crossing to open it.

He tugged open the door, finding his mother grinning at him. “Need help with your tie?”

“Yes,” he answered with a sigh.

“I figured. Whenever you are nervous, you can’t tie the tie.”

“It’s one of my many weaknesses,” he stated as he motioned for her to enter.

Victoria cupped his cheek in her hand as she skirted past him. “Oh, honey. It’s a tough day, I know. But you have so many strengths that you don’t even realize.”

“Can you tell me some of them? Because I’ve forgotten all of them.”

His mother adjusted the fabric before she deftly began to tie it. “Really? Maybe Ellie is the better one to remind you of them since she found you pretty wonderful.”

“Maybe she had a momentary lapse of judgement.”

“No, she didn’t,” Victoria said with an amused grin as she finished with his tie. “There. Now, let’s sit down and talk for a minute.”

Nate heaved a sigh as he grabbed his jacket from the bed and crossed to the armchair to sit down.

“How are you holding up?”

“Not great.”

“Did you pick a topic of conversation for the dance?”

He slid his eyes closed. “Yeah, but it’s not that. Stephen was here earlier.”

Victoria shifted in her seat, her lips pressed together. “I’m afraid he didn’t take the news very well.”

“He accused me of lying. Said Ellie set the whole thing up with Julian. Basically, he said I did it because I was jealous.”

“Honey, he’s hurting. He doesn’t want to believe what’s happening. When he finally comes to his senses, he’ll realize what you did for him.”

“If we don’t kill each other before then.”

“I know this is hard. I know things involving Chloe are difficult to begin with, and things between you and Stephen haven’t been the same since what happened with her, but, honey, this isn’t your fault.”

“I brought her into this family.”

“She brought herself into this family. Did you ever stop to think that she was at that bar for a reason that night? She had her sights set on this family.”

“And I was stupid enough to fall for it. No wonder I’m not royal marriage material.”

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