Page 38 of The Billionaire's Secret Child

Well, so far, it had been good. Laura scrunched up her nose as Aidan gave her a knowing look. He turned back to the child. “That was a very fun game.” He winked. “I didn’t even know you were under the table.”

“I know.” Jeanie giggled again. She turned back to her mother. “Can we go to the arcade now, Mommy?”

Laura ruffled Jeanie’s silky locks, as she gently lowered her to the floor. “We can, as soon as you clean up your bedroom like you promised.”

Jeanie didn’t say another word as she spun like a top and raced to her room. Two seconds later, the sounds of speed cleaning reverberated through the apartment. Laura grinned wider and pivoted back to Aidan, yet her smile faded at his harsh expression. His own smile was gone, both from his lips and his eyes, melted into stark soberness. She stood frozen, afraid to breathe, afraid to talk. Something had caused a very rapid, very severe change in his mood. What was it?

Then he spoke…

And she closed her eyes…

Because he said,

“I know why you did it.”

Chapter 11

Laura stood perfectly still, unable to move, even to breathe. She could only stare at the man before her. “What do you mean?”

“I know why you visited my home.” His intense demeanor was heavy but unreadable. She fought to maintain a calm expression. Had he actually deciphered the truth, or had he come to the wrong conclusion? Was he trying to deceive her into revealing it herself?

“Please don’t play innocent.” He folded his arms across his chest. “It’s so obvious. How could I have not seen it before?”

“What do you think I did?” Clunking came from the bedroom, indicating her daughter would soon be out. Whatever happened had to be now.

“I believe you did it for Jeanie,” he murmured, “which is why I’m not as furious as I'd be if I thought you just wanted the money for yourself.”

“Money?” Laura echoed. “You think this is about money?”

“I know it’s about money.” He shook his head. “You somehow found out about my visit to the clinic and thought I would pay to keep the information out of the papers.”

She shook her head vehemently. "I would never blackma–"

"It was for Jeanie, wasn’t it?” he broke in, pinning her with guarded eyes, almost as if willing her to say yes. “You did it for your daughter?”

Laura exhaled slowly, careful not to betray relief at his mistaken conclusion. He thought she planned to ask for money in exchange for silence, however he believed she had done so for her daughter. She was grateful for the benefit of the doubt, although it was dismaying he still thought her a criminal. “Everything I have done has been for Jeanie,” she replied honestly.

He nodded. “I shouldn’t believe you, but I do. Don’t get me wrong, I'm still mad – furious even. I do not look kindly upon those who would steal from me. However I understand the love a parent has for a child, the measures you’d take to give that child a better life. But, Laura, don’t you know Jeanie would be best served if you can be completely honest with her?”

She simply nodded, for if she spoke, she could somehow give away the truth. Honesty had not played much of a part of her life of late.

“I just don’t understand why you didn’t accept the money I offered in the first place.” His gaze speared her. “I assume you had an attack of conscience at the last minute.”

With no alternative, she nodded again.

He opened his mouth to speak more, but thankfully, the conversation ended as Jeanie bounded into the room, her bright hair flying behind her. She stopped in between Laura and Aidan, unaware of the tension thickening the air. “All clean, Mommy!” she declared proudly.

“Already?” Laura rubbed her hands together. They were clammy and cold, just like her heart. “Then it’s time to go to the arcade. Just get your coat, sweetie, and we’ll leave.” Jeanie disappeared from view, and Laura turned to Aidan. She only had a few seconds. “Do you still want to come?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

She nodded, a surprising burst of relief loosening her limbs. “Let’s go then.”

Jeanie skipped back into the room full of energy. She was wearing her coat, carrying Laura’s black everyday jacket and holding onto something else – a bubblegum pink concoction of chiffon ruffles and lace frills. Peering closely, Laura recognized it as the fairy princess cape of one of her old and very ridiculous Halloween costumes. “Honey, what have you got there?”

“I brought your jacket, Mommy.” Jeanie handed her mother the black coat, as the trio started to the doorway. She turned towards Aidan. “I didn’t know where your jacket was, so I brought you one of Mommy’s. I picked out the prettiest one.” She handed the bright costume to Aidan.

Laura couldn’t stifle the smile as Aidan examined the pink hot mess in his large and powerful hands. He, too, was obviously trying to hide his amusement. She ruffled her daughter's hair. “Honey, Mommy is proud of you for remembering Mr. Bancroft, but that really isn't his style.”

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