Page 23 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
I step into the clinic, and the usual warmth hits me. The sound of soft chatter, the faint rustle of paper, and the low hum of the clinic’s usual rhythm. It’s a comfort. It’s familiar. But today, it feels different. I don’t know why, but I sense a shift inside me as soon as I cross the threshold. Maybe it’s the weight of the decision I’ve been avoiding for so long. Maybe it’s the unease I can’t seem to shake.
I walk to my desk, the clutter of paperwork and files a welcome distraction, but then I notice it.
There’s a small package sitting on my desk, tucked neatly in the corner. My first thought is that it’s another order from Emma or a delivery for the clinic, but then I see the note with my name and my heart skips a beat. I don’t have to look twice to know who it’s from.
Liam.
I rip open the packaging carefully, almost afraid to ruin the neatness, and pull out the contents. Two small, custom-made ID tags — one for Pip, one for Nibbs. They’re beautiful. The tags are engraved with their names, and beneath them, the Gracie’s logo shines bright.
I feel a lump form in my throat. The thoughtfulness of it, the little details that he remembers, that he cared enough to get them for me, for them... It’s overwhelming.
I try to steady myself, but I feel my heart tighten, the emotions coming faster than I can catch them. I place the tags carefully on my desk, but I can’t stay there, not with the rush of feelings flooding me.
I walk out into the back garden, needing some air, needing some space to breathe. I step out into the cool, quiet garden, the soft scent of earth and greenery grounding me. I sit on the old bench near the wall, my hands trembling slightly as I press them against my legs.
For the first time in a while, I speak aloud to my nanny. It feels strange, this voice I’ve kept silent for so long. The words tumble out before I can stop them.
What should I do, Aunt Maria?
I close my eyes, imagining her voice, imagining the way she’d always tell me that everything would be okay in the end. But this time, I can’t hear her. It’s too quiet, too empty.
What should I do?
I feel foolish. Asking for guidance from someone I can never speak to again. But it helps. It always has.
After a moment, I wipe my face and stand up. I need to get back to work. I need to focus. I can’t let myself keep spiralling. The thought of Liam, of this whole mess, the future my father’s planned for me, it’s all too much.
I walk back inside, taking a deep breath. But the moment I enter the clinic, I freeze.
Emma and Liam are standing together near the counter, their heads bent close as they talk. There’s something about the way they’re standing so comfortably that makes my stomach twist. I should’ve known he’d be here. I should’ve prepared for it.
But as I step forward, Liam looks up, and his eyes meet mine. For a second, everything else fades. It’s just the two of us in the room.
I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, remembering the awkwardness of last night — the almost-kiss, the one diverted to my hand. The way I almost let myself go, almost let myself feel something for him. I force a smile, even though my chest is tight, and I try to act casual.
“Hey,” I say, my voice a little more breathless than I intended.
Liam’s expression softens. “Hey, Lucy.” He looks at me for a moment, his eyes lingering just a little longer than necessary, but then he shifts, as if he’s trying to keep things casual. “Emma and I were just finishing up. How’s everything going?”
I nod, the smile still on my face, though it feels more like a mask now. “Everything’s good. Just finishing some paperwork.”
I move toward Emma, eager to escape the tension in the air. “I can help with whatever you need,” I say to Emma, trying to sound upbeat.
She looks at me with a smile that’s warm but knowing. “Actually, we just got in a rescued kitten. I could use a hand with getting her settled.”
Relieved to have something to focus on, I quickly move over to help Emma. She hands me a small, squirming kitten, its fur still a little damp from the rescue. I gently cradle her in my arms, careful not to startle her. The warmth of the kitten against my chest makes my heart soften.
I glance up at Liam, who’s standing back near the doorway, quietly watching us. His presence feels like a weight, but also a comfort, like I don’t have to say anything for him to understandwhat I’m feeling. He’s just... there. But I can feel his gaze on me. I can feel it like a physical thing, the way his eyes follow my every movement. It makes my chest tighten.
I focus on the kitten, trying to ignore the sensation of his eyes on me. I stroke the soft fur of the kitten, calming her, trying to push the thoughts of Liam out of my head. It’s hard. Everything I do feels like it’s under his watch, and I can’t help but feel exposed.
“Thanks for helping,” Emma says, her voice cutting through my thoughts. I look up at her, grateful for the distraction. “I think she’s going to be just fine.”
I smile, my hands still cradling the kitten gently. “Of course. She’s lucky you found her.”
Emma smiles back, but I can’t help but notice how much she’s been watching me today. There’s a softness in her eyes, something she’s not saying, but I can feel it.
I finish settling the kitten, and when I turn back to my desk, I realize that Liam is already gone. He must have left while I was distracted. It’s silly, but I feel... disappointed. A small part of me wanted him to stay, wanted to say something more, something that wasn’t about work.
