Page 80 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

I spin around to Hank, his face filled with rage. "You snake!" he spits. "Did you buy off my lawyer? Is that how you got away with this?"

I jerk my arm free, anger rising to match his. "I didn't do anything wrong, and you know it!"

His lips curl into a cruel smirk. "Oh, please. You've always been willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Isn't that why you were with me in the first place? A naïve lawyer out of college getting together with someone accomplished. Me! I took pity on you, why else would I be with someone like you?

But of course -" he smirks. "You've moved on to your next target."

The accusation stings, but curiosity overrides my hurt. "What are you talking about?"

His next words send a chill down my spine: "Johnson Luxury Hotels. Ring a bell?"

"What?" I ask, genuinely confused.

He laughs bitterly. "Don't play dumb. I know you're with the owner now. Didn't think you'd find such rich prey in that outback, but I guess you're more skilled than I gave you credit for."

"You're insane," I hiss, backing away. "Stay away from me. I hope you rot in jail."

As he is pulled away by two officers, I’m shaking, a knot of dread forming in my stomach. I stumble to a nearby bench and pull out my phone, fingers trembling as I search for "Johnson Luxury Hotels owner."

My world tilts as a familiar face fills the screen. "Billionaire Austin Johnson," I read aloud, my voice cracking. It's undoubtedly Austin, looking professional in a suit, but there's no doubt that this is the man I've grown to love.

My mind races. How could he have kept this from me? Our conversations replay in my head, and I realize how carefully he's avoided mentioning his wealth and status. A terrible thought creeps in: "How do I look to him? Am I just another opportunist he couldn't trust?"

Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice my lawyer approaching until he's right in front of me. I grab my bag, ready to flee, but his words stop me cold.

"Ms. Miller, wait!"

I whirl to face him, hitting him directly with the words I want to know. "Where did you get that evidence at the last minute?"

He shifts uncomfortably, adjusting his tie. "I... I am just glad I could protect an innocent person who shouldn't be wrongly accused."

"Don't lie to me," I snap. "Tell me the truth."

He swallows hard. "Please tell Mr. Johnson I took care of it. And I'd like to thank him again."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I turn and walk away, my heart shattering with each step. Behind me, I hear my lawyer call out once more: "Please ask Mr. Johnson to call me."

Anger and sadness rage within me as I leave the courthouse. The man I thought I knew—the man I've fallen in love with—suddenly feels like a stranger. And yet, my heart still aches forhim. I want to do nothing more than to run into his arms for comfort and tell him everything is over.

Is this the beginning of another broken heart?

Chapter thirty-two

HAYLEY

As I make my way back to the hotel, my phone buzzes. It's Austin. How did he know the case was over already?

Of course, he would know. He’s a powerful billionaire. He has eyes all over, doesn't he?

I let it ring, my emotions too raw to handle a conversation.

Instead of returning to Redstone as planned, I decide to stay in the city for a week. I need time to think, to process everything that's happened. I call the desk to check out of the “Johnson Luxury” hotel Austin booked and pack to move to a different one across town. My phone keeps lighting up with missed calls and messages from Austin, but I can only bring myself to send one text:I need time to think, don't contact me.

As the Uber takes me to my new hotel, we see the last of the Johnson Luxury Resort where I had been staying. My heart aches at the sight. I'm proud of Austin for achieving so much, but which version of him is real? The down-to-earth cowboy or the billionaire mogul?

I realize that Austin didn't lie to me, but he omitted a crucial part of his life. I feel betrayed, confused, and lost.I may have won this miserable case, but have I lost something far more valuable?

At the new hotel, I try to treat this unexpected stay as a vacation, but my mind keeps drifting back to Austin. Everything reminds me of him – the smell of coffee in the morning, the country music playing in the elevator, even the distant sound of a dog barking on the street.

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