A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Madison

“What? No!” I stood up, straightening my skirt. “Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re doing that thing with your hands.” She pointed to where I was fidgeting with my sleeve. “You always do that

when you’re hiding something.”

I quickly dropped my hands. “There’s no one, Mom. I’m just busy with work and… everything else.”

“Everything else being…?”

“Make sure my mother rests instead of playing matchmaker from her hospital bed.”

She huffed dramatically. “Fine, fine. But just so you know, I wouldn’t mind having a doctor for a son–in–law.”

“Mom!”

“What? I’m just thinking ahead. Plus, imagine the family discount on medical care.”

Birkenaugh. “First day in a fancy hospital, and you’re already trying to set me up with the staff.”

I shook my head, trying not

“Hey, a mother can dream.” She adjusted her pillows. “Besides, did you see how gentle his hands were? Imagine those hands

making you breakfast in the morning-”

“Mom!” I covered my face. “Please stop.”

“Fine, fine. But don’t blame me when he finds another pretty young woman who actually appreciates his medical expertise.”

ме орг

“You need to rest.” I appreciated the opportunity to shift the focus. “The nurse mentioned you have tests later.”

“Oh, now you’re using my health as an excuse to avoid talking about your love life?” She crossed her arms, but I could see the playful glint in her eyes. “That’s low, even for you.”

“I’m using your health as a legitimate reason for you to sleep.” I tucked the blanket around her. “Doctor’s orders, remember?”

“Doctor Dreamy’s orders, you mean.

“Mom!”

“I’m just keeping track of my medical team.” She grinned. “Very thoroughly.”

I pressed my lips together, fighting back a smile. “Sleep. Now.”

“Yes, boss.” She settled back against the pillows. “But this conversation isn’t over.”

“It never is with you.” I leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I’ll come back tomorrow after your tests.”

“Mmm, maybe I’ll have more doctor stories for you by then.”

“Goodbye, Mom ”

“Love you, Maddie.” Her voice was already getting drowsy. “Even if you refuse to give me grandchildren with excellent healthcare benefits.”

I shook my head as I walked to the door. “Love you too, mom.”

The door clicked shut behind me, and I let out a long breath. Leave it to my mother to turn a hospital admission into a dating opportunity. I headed for the elevator, digging through my purse for my phone to check the time.

The elevator dinged, and I looked up just as Dr. Williams stepped out

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Chapter 25

+25 BONUS

“Ms. Harper.” His smile was warm and professional. “How’s your mother settling in?”

“She’s…” I thought about her matchmaking schemes. “Getting comfortable.”

“Excellent. Alexander asked me personally to oversee her care.” He shifted the charts in his arms.

“Thank you for taking such good care of her.”

“Of course.” He paused, his expression thoughtful. “You know, it’s interesting. I’ve known Alexander for years, but this is the first time he’s ever reached out about an employee’s family member.”

I shifted my weight, unsure how to respond. “Oh? Well, I’m very grateful for the help.”

“Oh, right.” Dr. Williams checked his watch. “I should get back to my rounds. Other patients to see, charts to review – a doctor’s glamorous life never ends.”

“Of course.” I stepped aside to let him pass.

“We’ll take good care of your mother, Ms. Harper.” He quickly nodded and strode down the hallway, his white coat swishing behind him.

I pressed the elevator button and stepped inside the empty car, sagging against the wall as soon as the doors closed. The conversation with Mom played through my head – her jokes about Dr. Williams, her curiosity about the hospital, her questions about how we could afford it all.

How could I possibly explain this arrangement to her? “Hey, Mom, remember my boss? Well, funny story – I’m actually his girlfriend now. Sort of. For money. But not like that! It’s more of a business arrangement with benefits.”

Yeah, that would go over well.

The elevator descended smoothly, each floor ticking

as I imagined all the ways that conversation could go wrong. Mom would either have a heart attack right there in her fancy new hospital bed or worse she’d try to set me up with a doctor even harder as some kind of rescue attempt.

I rubbed my temples. It had been just one year–one year of pretending, keeping this secret, and letting Mom believe that insurance and bonuses had magically solved all our problems. Then everything would go back to normal–whatever normal meant these days.

The elevator dinged at the lobby. One year wasn’t so long, right? People did way crazier things for their families. At least I wasn’t robbing banks or selling organs on the black market. Though honestly, explaining either of those might be easier than telling Mom I’d agreed to be Alexander’s girlfriend–for–hire.

I stepped out into the lobby, my heels clicking against the polished floor. One year. I could handle one year. Then, Mom would be better, the bills would be paid, and this whole arrangement would just be a strange chapter in my life that nobody

ever needed to know about.

Right. Simple as that.

The next afternoon, I pushed through the hospital doors. The familiar antiseptic smell hit me as I made my way to the top floor. A nurse at the station looked up and smiled.

“Dr Williams said everything went perfectly.” She gestured down the hall. “She’s still a bit groggy from the sedation, but you can go in ”

I thanked the nurse and headed down the pristine hallway, my heels muffled by the thick carpet. The luxury of this place still caught me off guard even the air felt expensive somehow.

raised me to be independent, strong–willed, and proud–not the kind of woman who traded her

The monitors beeped steadily. Each sound represented another moment of proper care, another step toward recovery.

“Holy shi-” She caught herself, lowering her voice to a whisper. “This place is nicer than my apartment.”

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