Page 39 of Dr. Billionaire's Fake Marriage

“I want it to feel more homey for you.” Troy avoids looking at me as he glances at the decor team moving things in and out of the house.

“Thank you,” I say and turn to him.

Troy smiles at me. “For what?” he says. “The decoration or for your mother’s surgery?”

“Everything,” I reply as I take the stairs to my room.

****

When Mom was discharged from the hospital, Troy hired a nurse for her home care. She was an in-house nurse, and I was glad that she would no longer be alone at the house.

I know Troy hired the nurse as compensation because she isn't part of our agreement. Plus, she is doing a great job. Mother doesn't rant about me not being available anymore; she only longs to see me a few hours per week.

Today, I told her everything that had happened since she was away. I decided to tell her I was married to Troy.

I sit nervously across from her at the dining table, making sure the nurse is out of hearing range as I tell her that I am married to my boss.

I expect a reaction similar to that of Troy's mother, but Mom only raises her eyebrows.

"I did a deal with Troy. He ensured that you would be taken care of if I married him." I add, "It is nothing romantic - strictly contract based."

Mother holds my hands and tells me she knows why I had to do what I did. But I cannot believe what she says next. “This contract you did with your boss, why don’t you make it permanent?”

My eyes widen as I hear her tell me to make sure Troy falls in love with me.

"You want me to seduce my boss?" I scoff as I get up. "I married him because he said if I did, he would pay for your surgery." I remind her, “I am not some gold digger.”

"No one is calling you a gold digger; marrying him permanently will give you a good life. The life your father and I were unable to give you."

I shake my head. “I have a good life already.”

"With your salary from which you still have to pay taxes and take care of me? That is an average life."

"I am content with it," I tell her. "I don't want to marry a man whose mother resents me because she thinks I am not good enough for her son. I don't want to marry a rigid and cold man either." I pause and continue, "once the contract ends, I am ending it."

"I will see you later, Mom." I watch the disappointment on her face as I depart.

I flag down the next taxi in sight. I need it to take me anywhere - far from anything that reminds me that I am married to Troy Robinson.

I take the taxi to the hospital and head to the rooftop again.

Chapter thirteen

Plans

Troy

"Why do I always meet you here?" Camile seems disappointed to see me on the rooftop today.

I remember what happened the last time I was alone with her. I couldn't resist the tension between us.

Now she is my legally married wife, with a contract binding us. I must uphold my end of the contract and ensure we have a good conclusion.

“How is your mother doing?” I ask, trying to take both our minds off whatever tension I feel. I hope talking about her mother’s health and other things was good enough for the both of us.

"Mother is recovering quickly," Camile announces. "She is back to getting on my nerves." She chuckles in between her words. "But it is better than seeing her die."

Camile is an amazing daughter. "I know she appreciates your efforts,” I avow. As she glances at me, I can see that she doesn't think her mother believes she is amazing. I move next to her but stop when we get closer than we should. "Do you know why Mother likes you?" I ask, but she shakes her head.

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