Page 108 of Billion Dollar Vow

I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “No?”

He shakes his head as a faint smirk plays on his lips. “Not at all. You’ve known each other for a few years.”

“I didn’t see her coming,” I admit, running a hand through my damp hair. “I wish I’d noticed her sooner.”Really noticed her.

Evan shrugs, taking a swig of water. “Maybe, but you wouldn’t be here if you had. Timing’s everything, Oliver.”

He’s right, though the thought stings a little. If I’d seen Karley for who she truly was back then, maybe things would’ve been different. Feels like I’ve already missed so much time with her.

“So, she’s living with you now?” Evan asks with a tilt of his head.

“Yeah,” I say, nodding. “We did things a little backward.”

Before he can reply, Harvey’s voice cuts through the air, loud and impatient.

“Are you guys done over there? We’ve got a game to finish,” he shouts, tossing the ball in my direction.

The ball hurtles toward me, but I effortlessly snatch it out of the air with one hand, smirking.

“Relax, Harvey,” I call back, spinning the ball in my fingers. “I’m ready to school you.”

Chad cheers from across the court, his enthusiasm contagious as he claps his hands and calls out for Harvey to bring it. Evan chuckles beside me, clapping a hand on my shoulder before jogging back into position.

The game is on.

Chapter 30

Karley

Amonthlater,Istep into the house I purchased… the one I thought I’d live out the back of after my arrangement with Oliver ended. Well, the joke’s on me, because I won't be staying here.

I move through the open space, carrying a box packed with furniture to build. The bane of anyone’s existence, especially when they don’t come with an Allen key.

“Where’s this one going?” Wren asks from behind me, Rufus trailing along beside him, his nails scratching on the floor. Oliver had a meeting today about the gallery, so Amber and Wren are here helping me.

“The front room,” I reply, shifting the box slightly to get a better grip before heading toward the main living area.

Amber joins me, her arms already full of smaller boxes. The house isn’t ready for kids and families yet… Not officially. The permit is taking forever, and I know I’ll have to be patient. For now, all I can do is set up and prepare, room by room.

Amber sets her boxes down beside me. “Need help?”

“Always,” I say with a smile. Together, we tackle one of the furniture kits—a TV console. I glance toward the other room, where I can hear Wren working on something, and I bet he’ll finish his piece before we’re even halfway through.

As Amber and I sort through the pieces, I sigh. “Thanks for helping me with this.”

She glances up, her warm smile reassuring. “Anytime. We’re so proud of you.”

Her words make me pause, my hands freezing midair. I look up at her, her expression calm and sincere.

“Even though I had to marry to get it?” I joke, though there’s a twinge of self-consciousness.

Amber laughs softly. “It takes a clever woman to do what she needs to for her dream. You didn’t give up. That’s all that matters.”

“I could have easily given up,” I whisper.

“But you didn’t,” Amber says firmly. “And as much as you claimed to hate him, I could always see the light in your eyes whenever you talked about him.”

My head snaps up at that. “I was obvious, wasn’t I?”

---