Page 15 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

“Nate really regrets what he did. I believe him. He’s a genuine person, Jade, and I know he means it.”

“If he’s genuine, he wouldn’t have cheated on me!” I snap back. I gulp my milk and put the glass down with a thud on the table. “I can’t believe you condone cheating.”

“I don’t!”

“Then why did you do this? I told Nate no, and he’s being as stubborn as a mule. If you want me to disrespect myself and get back with him, carry on as you want. Just don’t expect me to be at the end of the phone if you need any help from me from now on.”

“What?”

I don’t answer, storming out of the dining room. I don’t want to speak longer than I have to when I’m sure Nate might turn up and I get cornered by both of them. That is a scene I don’t want to have in front of everyone. This is too embarrassing.

Especially after it happened in front of that grumpy but strikingly handsome dad whom I’ve had the misfortune to encounter—hot as he is, I know he’s far too much trouble. He loves his daughter, I can tell that much, but there’s something about him that makes the hair on my arms stand up. He seems to be such a know-it-all, too, looking down at me.

It’s a shame. If he were actually decent, perhaps I would have flirted with him. But that’s never going to happen. This Finn guy is not someone I will have anything to do with.

If only my body would agree with my head. I can still remember how my heart fluttered at the sight of him. Then again, that was probably from frustration and annoyance that he’s so stubborn.

I munch on my croissant as I get my gear on and head to the ski rental shop. It tastes like cardboard, and I struggle to swallow it, but it needs to be done. I have to have some nutrients before I go up high. Otherwise, I’m going to be dizzy. It’s not much, but it’s the best I can do.

The sooner I ski, the sooner I can go home. However, Maddison will probably expect me to drive, given she’s still out cold. I’m good with that, and Maddison isn’t about to ski when she’s still recovering. Greasy food on the way home sounds perfect, in my opinion.

After getting my skis and poles, I take the ski lift to the top of the slope and go onto the red slope. After a couple down this hill, I would then go onto the black slope. The thrill is going to be what I need right now. It would eliminate the anger swirling around, and knowing Nate couldn’t follow me made me feel better.

I just had to avoid him from now on. If he came across Maddison first, I can only hope she verbally rips him apart. I swear she’s angrier at him than I am.

Making sure that my skis are secure on my feet, I push off and start down the slope. Even with my gear on, it’s freezing, and my cheeks are already stinging. Even with my goggles on, my eyes are watering at the speed. I take it as slowly as possible, cruising through the crisp white snow and sending it up in sprays. This is my favorite part—seeing the snow exploding from my skis digging into the ground. It’s like a snowy waterfall.

If I see Nate, I’m going to ignore him. He would make a scene in public, that much I do know. And if he does try to approach me and get me to see reason, I’m not above using my skis to prove a point. It’s very easy to make it look like an accident when swinging skis around on your shoulder and claiming you’re carrying them.

A part of me hopes this will actually happen, and then I can feel some satisfaction from smacking a cheater. Nate thinks I’m sweet and docile, and I just need a bit of gentle coaxing to get back with him. But he doesn’t know me at all, and I’m not about to be gaslit into going back with a cheat and a liar.

Carmen would call me spiteful. I don’t care. She can think whatever she wants. If she will be friends with Nate after all this, I will choose a better friend to replace her. She’s not worth it.

I’m almost near the bottom of the slope when I see a movement to my left. For a second, I think it’s a bear, making me panic. But then I remember that bears are brown or black, not silver and blue. Then, I see the snowboard.

Slowing to a stop, I take off my goggles and peer at the shape as it moves toward the edge of the trees. A snowboarder seems to have taken a fall, and they’re in some trouble.

I unsnap my boots from the skis, pick them up and hurry over.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask as I put the skis and poles on the ground. “Do you need some help?”

All I get in response is a sob, and I’m shocked. It’s a child. A girl has hurt herself. Where are her parents? God, she must be frightened.

Then she rolls onto her back, clutching her right arm to her chest, her face so pale I’m surprised she hasn’t passed out. And I recognize her. It’s Katie, the girl who almost caused my crash yesterday.

“Help…me…please…” Katie’s voice is weak, full of pain.

I don’t even need to think. I take the snowboard off her feet and put it with my equipment. Katie moans.

“Can you take my helmet off? My head hurts.”

“I’m going to keep it on for now. You might have hurt your neck or head, and I don’t want to make it worse.” I fumble in my pocket for the small first aid kit I always bring when I ski. “What hurts the most? Is it your arm?”

“Yes.” Katie swallows. “My snowboard swerved when I tried a turn, and I fell. I felt a crack and the pain…it’s fucking awful…shit, I…I’m sorry…” she grimaces. “I shouldn’t be cursing.”

“Given what you’ve done, I think you can be let off.” I open the kit. “You might have broken something, so we will keep you still. I’ll try to keep you warm and call for help.”

“You have a phone? Dad says he doesn’t want me taking it up on the slopes in case it gets broken.”

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