Page 95 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

“Splendid,” Ernest says, his eyes twinkling.

“I’ll prepare a vase for the flowers. And might I say, you both look positively radiant. Quite the advertisement for rural living, I’d say.”

As we head inside, my heart feels light, and I realize that this place—with Theo by my side—might be more than just a weekend getaway.

It might be a place where something real can grow, where a new chapter can begin.

24

THEO

The morning sun wakes me up the following morning. Grace is still asleep, her hair spilling across the pillow, one arm draped lazily over her head.

I lie beside her, watching the light dance over her skin and wondering how I got so lucky to have her here with me.

Especially since this place is woven so deeply into my past.

The manor has been in my family for generations. My mother’s family, actually. She grew up in the English countryside and inherited this estate, even though she hasn’t spent much time here in recent years.

Bringing Grace here feels oddly intimate, like I’m sharing a part of myself I’ve always kept hidden.

I’m not sure anyone even knows that my mother is from England.

Grace stirs, blinking awake, her eyes slowly focusing on me.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I murmur, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

“Morning.” She smiles, stretching with a contented sigh. “I was scared to wake up and that this has all been a dream.”

“Reality, Princess, and I’m planning on keeping you here as long as possible,” I say, only half-joking.

She laughs softly, glancing around the room, her gaze lingering on the antique furniture and the high ceiling adorned with intricate plasterwork.

“This place…it’s incredible. How long has it been in your family?”

“A long time.

My mother grew up here, actually. She’s English, as you probably guessed, and this estate belonged to her family.

She inherited it, but life took us elsewhere.

I’ve only ever visited occasionally.”

She tilts her head, studying me. “You never mentioned much about your family. You seem so… different here, like this is where you’re meant to be.”

“Maybe that’s true,” I admit. “I suppose this place shows a part of me that I don’t usually let others see. Bringing you here…it feels right.”

She reaches out, lacing her fingers with mine. “Thank you. For sharing this part of yourself with me.”

Her words make me smile, and I find myself wanting to show her everything about this place, every memory I have tucked away in its rooms and halls.

After we get dressed, I take her through the house, pointing out the faded portraits of my ancestors and the little quirks of the manor.

We wander outside to the gardens, where ivy-covered walls surround us, and I show her the hidden paths and the ancient trees that seem to hold secrets of their own.

My phone rings, and I glance down to see Devon calling.

“Hey man, what’s up?”

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