Page 31 of Billionaire's Baby Mistake

“Okay,” I eventually concede, for the first time in my life giving my heart permission to rule the roost. “I’ll stay…I’ll stay with you.”

“I love you,” Alex exclaims, scooping me up into his arms and kissing me hard. “You will not regret this. I will make you happy, I promise you.”

I just hope and that pray he’s right.

Epilogue

Tenmonthslater…

“So, how is it, living with Alex?” Nina asks me over our morning cup of coffee. Despite the rocky start, we’ve managed to become really good friends, which makes me happier than I ever thought it would. She was frosty with me because she – rightfully – suspected that I was up to something, and now it’s been almost a year, and it’s behind us. We’ve managed to build something incredible.

“It’s good,” I smile warmly. “I mean, it’s taken us a long time to get to this point because I had to sort myself out first, but now… well, the timing is right, and it’s incredible.” Alex has to be the kindest, most understanding person I’ve ever met. I’m really lucky to have him in my life. While I went through the healing process, including therapy, my whole life changed. Most men would have run a mile away, but Alex stayed, supporting me every step of the way. “I’m glad we’ve finally made that move.”

“Come on, girls, back to work.” Dad races past - his little joke. “This company isn’t going to run itself.”

“I don’t think you and Jenny need us anymore,” I shout as he speeds away. “You seem to have total control of things all by yourselves.”

Having them on board has been a blessing for International Pharma Co. They’ve progressed things to a level no one could have imagined. I wasn’t totally for the idea at first. I didn’t know if we’d ever fully trust him again after what he did, but it’s been the best thing for him. He’s blooming into the best person he can be.

It’s helped us repair our relationship as well. I never wanted to lose my father in all of this; he’s the only family I’ve had, so I guess it all worked out in the end. It was a little embarrassing when I was forced to admit that I was never engaged and had faked Alex as my fiancé to calm things down… but these days, it looks like that could end up being true. If Alex and I keep going the way we are, I’m sure he will propose.

A Bryson-Connelly wedding with our families in attendance. Who would have ever imagine such a thing? Certainly not me. If I was told in the beginning that things would end up this way, I’d never believe it. It seemed too ridiculous for words.

“Things are going well for them too, right?” Nina hisses, making me smile.

Yes, it seems like Dad and Jenny have finally made their way back to one another for a true love I didn’t know existed. I hated it for a while because it’s just so complicated. But they make one another extremely happy, so I don’t want to stand in the way of that. We have all found happiness where we least expected it.

“Yes, things are great now. It is like they’ve managed to find their way in this crazy, mixed up mess. The great thing about it is neither of them regrets the missed years because they both had other loves. In short, it doesn’t feel too bad. Alex does seem too bothered by it, either.”

“Who would have thought… what a crazy, happy family.”

“Yeah, I suppose it is a little strange,” I giggle alongside her. “But it just works, so that’s alright for us.”

“Well, we better get to work… we don’t want to get in trouble with the boss.”

I can tell that something is off; it has been the entire day. We don’t have any drugs ready to launch, yet Alex is acting like the entire weight of the world is on his shoulders, which isn’t like him at all. Since we’ve got the business back to a good place, he’s been a ray of sunshine for International Pharma Co., and this makes me nervous.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him for what feels like the millionth time because I just can’t let it go. If I can help him, I desperately want to. “What is going on with you?”

“Nothing… nothing…” He waves his hand dismissively, but I narrow my eyes regardless. He can’t fool me; I know him way too well for that. Something is troubling him, and I want to know what. “We are still on for dinner tonight, right?”

“Dinner?” he blindsides me with that one. “Um… yes?”

“You know, the one to celebrate us finally moving in together. I told you about it yesterday - at that fancy French place that just opened?” He finally looks at me, rubbing his forehead as stress overcomes him even more. “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Did he tell me this? I’m sure he must have, and my scattered brain just pushed it aside. But that makes me feel terrible. We relish in date nights; they’re so important to us.

“Okay sure, I vaguely remember… but we moved in together a week ago, so why are we only celebrating that now?” Something is fishy about this, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Am I forgetting something? A birthday? An anniversary? Nope, nothing comes to mind…

“We just are, okay? Now get out,” his tone turns to teasing. “I have too much to do to be fooling around with you.”

I can’t focus all day because all I can think about is Alex and his strange behavior. There’s no denying that he’s been acting crazy, but I still can’t work out why. That gets even worse when I finally get back to our home – not that I’m quite used to calling this ridiculously huge mansionoursjust yet – and I spot a parcel sitting on the bed addressed to me.

Zaya, I brought you this to wear tonight. I thought you deserved something new. Alex xxx

What I pull out is the most incredible, floor length red designer gown I have ever seen in my life. It’s completely obvious just from the feel of the material that it’s incredibly expensive, which makes my heart race a whole lot faster. I know that Alex is always saying he doesn’t mind spending his riches on me, but it does make me feel a little uncomfortable, especially knowing that I’ll never be able to afford the same for him.

“What is this?” I mutter to myself in bewilderment. “What the hell is going on?”

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