His Private Chef (by Amycee) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Chapter 98

288 Vouchers

I closed my eyes. “What if I can’t give him what he needs?”

My mother frowned. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated. Then, “What if I can’t have kids? What if he marries me, and one day, he looks at me and sees a future that won’t grow? What if… loving me ruins his legacy?”

There it was.

My fear. Raw and bleeding.

She didn’t interrupt.

“I know how men like him are,” I whispered. “Heir. Legacy. Business empires. Family name. What if I can’t… what if I’m broken?”

My mother’s hands cupped my face. “Sweetheart, listen to me. You’re allowed to be scared. But don’t let that fear build a wall between you and your own happiness. Talk to him. You might be surprised.”

I nodded faintly.

She kissed my forehead. “You’re already hurting. So why not try the path that might actually lead to joy?”

I had no answer.

Only a heart in shreds and a silence full of what–ifs.

Five months passed.

I didn’t hear from Liam again.

But my cooking show? It took off like wildfire.

One episode turned into ten. Then twenty.

I was invited to food festivals, featured in two magazines, and couldn’t even grab apples without

14:30

Chapter 98

someone asking for a selfie. Emails for sponsorship.

The ache never left, but I’d learned how to live with it.

Sophia became my partner in glam and gossip. She teased, she styled, she distracted.

One Saturday, she dragged me to a boutique in Beverly Hills.

“For what?” I asked, skeptical.

288 (Vouchers

“My mom’s birthday party, remember? You’re my plus–one. And no, you can’t get out of it.”

I groaned. “Sophia…”

“Save the whining. Pick a dress and look hot.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Is… is Liam going to be there?”

Sophia blinked at me. Then smirked. “Wow. So that’s what this is about.”

“No, I just…”

“Don’t lie to me, Chef Star. You’ve been trying not to say his name for months.‘

I looked away.

“He’s been in and out of L.A. Last I heard, not even Dad knows if he’s coming for Mom’s party.”

I nodded, trying to act casual.

Sophia grinned. “But you want him to come, don’t you?”

“No!” I said too fast. “I just…”

She raised a brow.

I caved. “Maybe. Yes. I don’t know.”

“Aww,” she cooed. “Love looks good on you, even when you’re in denial.”

The party was everything a billionaire’s wife would throw, floral walls, champagne towers, and gold–dusted desserts.

Sophia’s mom greeted me like old friends. “Emily, darling, you look stunning. It’s so good to see

14:30

Chapter 98

you again.”

“Thank you. St. Barts feels like another lifetime,” I smiled.

But while everyone mingled, my eyes kept searching.

Until they found him.

Liam.

He walked in like a storm bottled in a tux.

But he wasn’t alone.

288 Vouchers

The woman on his arm looked like she belonged on the cover of Vogue. Legs for days. A slit that defied gravity. Glossed lips and the kind of laugh that sounded like she’d never been told no in her life.

Something inside me snapped.

Without thinking, I cut through the crowd and walked straight up to them.

Her head tilted, amused. Like I was just another fan.

I didn’t look at her.

“Excuse me,” I said, voice cool and clipped. “I need to speak with him. Now.”

Then I grabbed Liam’s wrist like I had every right to.

The girl blinked. “Uh…”

“Not now,” I said.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify