Page 49 of A Billionaire's Secret

“She did. She convinced me to give you one more chance, by the way,” Victoria confessed.

“That daughter of mine,” I shook my head. “For being an only child, she has given me more headaches than I can count.”

“I’m glad she came. She and I needed to find peace,” Victoria’s eyes softened at the mention of their newfound friendship. “She had acted out of pain and insecurity, Christian. But she understands now and is remorseful. I feel for her.”

“Because your heart is as pure as your eyes,” I acknowledged. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Vicky.”

Her face lit up with a soft genuine smile, and her eyes teared up. “Christian, I feel the same way. I—” she paused, her face turned a hue lighter, and her smile vanished.

She placed one hand on her belly and one over her mouth. I shot up from my seat, the blood leaving my face.

“Victoria, what’s wrong? What happened?” I knelt to look her in the eyes.

“I feel sick. I need a bathroom,” she blurted out through the hand on her mouth.

With that, I picked her up in my arms and carried her to the nearest bathroom. I paced nervously outside, listening to her vomit on the other end of the door.

What the hell is going on?

She remained in the bathroom for what seemed like an eternity, and when she finally came out, her eyes were wet and red. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

“Let me take care of you,” I pleaded.

Too weak to argue, she simply nodded. I picked her up again and carried her to the bedroom. I helped her get out of her dress and summoned all of my will not to get aroused by the sight of her naked body. I slipped one of my T-shirts over her head and tucked her in.

“I’m sorry I ruined dinner,” she said faintly. “I must have eaten something. This happened earlier today too.”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I comforted her. “I’ll call my doctor in the morning. He’ll come here and check on you.”

“Oh, please, it’s nothing,” she brushed me off. “I’ll be brand new by morning.”

I stripped my clothes off, leaving only my boxers on, and lay under the covers, searching for her warm body. I cuddled her from behind and tangled my fingers in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent of fresh morning dew. I worried about her, but a feeling of peace quickly washed over me, and we both fell asleep unexpectedly.

The following morning, I woke up and cursed myself for sleeping instead of being alert and checking on her. Panic shook my body as my arm reached over to her side of the bed, only to find it empty. Again.

I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom, my body jolting back as I aimed to open the door, which to my surprise, was locked.

“Victoria?” I called out. “Are you in here?”

Silence. Then—vomiting.

“I’m here,” she confirmed. “I feel sick again.”

Fuck!

23

Victoria

Isatonthemarble floor in Christian’s plush bathroom and stared into the toilet, hoping to find an answer to my condition. His voice echoed in the background, thick with worry and anxiety. Shame and disappointment washed over my weak body as I remembered that I had ruined the elaborate dinner he had planned.

Not the best time to be looking like a mess, Victoria.

I towered over the white sculpture and heaved one last time before I found the strength to get up, wash off and pat down my messy hair. I looked white as a sheet, dark circles around my eyes, my mouth dry and scaly.

“I’m coming out,” I warned him. “Please don’t be afraid.”

I cracked open the door, poking my head out. He stood before me in his boxers, looking like a snack. But I wasn’t hungry. All I wanted was to lie down and hide under a pile of blankets.

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