Page 28 of Owned By a Billionaire

Cary stood close. “It’s noisy.”

To me, it was more like music. I smiled at my healthy, energetic grandchildren.

Mirabel entered and twined her arms around Ethan, whose face lit up every time they were together. If I’d hated Theadora in the beginning, then the bohemian Mirabel had made me crash to an all-time low. I’d never been one for that earth-mother mentality. After all, modern science was there to be utilized. Botox, collagen fillers, high heels, and laser procedures were all invented for us to make the most of our assets, I’d always maintained.

“Joni Mitchell’s as bubbly as ever,” Cary whispered.

I chuckled. “And bright. Orange and green. Oh, spare me.”

He laughed and squeezed my hand. We often joked about the dress sense of my daughters-in-laws: Theadora in her red, body-hugging choices and Mirabel with her boho hand-me-downs.

It didn’t matter in the end, because they’d both delivered beautiful offspring.

“You’ve got the entire brood here today, I see,” Cary said when Savanah arrived, her husband close behind. Carson pushed their double pram, wearing the cheery demeanor of a new father with sleep-deprived eyes to match.

“Ah… another pair to add to hoi polloi.”

“They’re hardly commoners.” My brows gathered. “Did I just note a hint of cynicism?”

“I’m not a big fan of newborns. You know that.” He kissed my cheek and then headed outside to the pool area where Julian tossed a ball to Bertie, my cherished corgi.

Cary remained a mystery in many ways, given my growing questions about his past. As someone who’d spent her life living a lie, I couldn’t cast him away, however. That would never do. I was far too besotted. Nevertheless, curiosity had gotten the better of me because the longer we stayed together, the more I wanted to know about this man who’d stolen my heart.

I never thought I’d fall this hard. It wasn’t just lust, either. He had me in the constant thrall of desire, but my feelings went much deeper. Indefinably so, for someone like me who’d never really known the meaning of passionate love. Suffice it to say, Cary was the only man I’d ever known who could set my pulse racing just from a sweet smile.

Savanah hugged me.

“How was Antibes?” I asked her.

“Wonderful. I think I might have had ten minutes’ sleep.”

I smiled. “For someone rest-deprived, you’re blossoming.”

“I’m so happy, Mummy.” Her bliss acted as a contagion. I couldn’t carry any dark thoughts with her and her beautiful pair of babies smiling back at me.

The day she delivered a boy and a girl into the world, no one was more surprised than me. After two heart-breaking miscarriages, Savanah had finally become the mother she’d dreamt of being. Dependable, strong, and loving, Carson proved the perfect partner, having brought my daughter back from the brink of self-destruction to her current state.

Manon came waddling in. For a small-framed woman, she was carrying a heavy load.

“Ah, there’s Mannie. My god, she’s about to pop any minute,” Savanah said.

As we looked on, Drake followed her in.

“Mannie tells me that Drake’s just scored a role in London as head of intel security for MI5.”

“That’s classified information, isn’t it?” Cary asked, joining us and kissing Savanah on the cheek.

“Well, apparently not. I mean, he’s not going around in a trench coat.” She giggled.

Carson looked mystified. “Trench coat?”

My daughter laughed. “Not that kind of trench coat. You and your dirty mind.”

He placed his arm around her and drew her close, kissing her hair.

Theadora tinkled her glass for our attention. “Cian’s about to start.”

“That’s right,” Cary said in his dry manner. “We’re to be graced by a concert.”

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