The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132

-CELINE’S POV-

(One hour earlier: At the hospital, before the motel confrontation)

Clancey’s hand was warm against mine as he reached across the diner table, and i froze completely. The salt and pepper shakers I had been fidgeting with suddenly felt like anchors in my sweaty palms,

“understand,” he said softly, his green eyes filled with something that lonked dangerously close to genuine concern.

“It couldn’t have been an easy decision to make, especially with Caesar”

I bit my lower lip so hard I tasted copper, Eghting back the tears that seemed determined to spill over. He was right. it hadn’t been easy.

Nothing about this nightmare had been easy.

And now, knowing what I carried in my pocket, what I carried in my body, everything felt impossibly complicated.

The pregnancy test results seemed to burn through the paper, through my clothes, straight into my skin.

Another secret. Another burden. Another reason why running away felt like the only option left.

“Here we go!” The waitress’s cheerful voice cut through the heavy moment as she approached our table with steaming plates. “One chocolate chip pancake stack for the little man, and two dinner specials for the adults.”

Caesar’s face lit up like the Fourth of July, and I quickly pulled my hand away from Clancey’s, my cheeks burning

What was I thinking, letting a stranger comfort me like that? I couldn’t afford to get attached, couldn’t afford to trust anyone else with my

heart or my secrets.

Clancey glanced at his empty hand, then back at me, but his smile never wavered. That easy, understanding expression that made my chest tighten with dangerous warmth.

The waitress beamed at Caesar’s obvious excitement.

“Someone’s happy about those pancakes!

I cleared my throat, trying to regain some composure, “Caesar, what do you say to the nice uncle who bought you dinner?”

My son looked up from his plate, syrup already coating his chin, and turned those bright eyes toward Clancey. “Thank you, Uncle Clanceyl

These are almost as good as Papa’s!”

“Anytime, buddy,” Clancey said, reaching

ing over to ruffle Caesar’s hair with such natural affection that my heart clenched.

I managed to whisper my own thanks, but Clancey shook his head with mock seriousness,

“If you say “thank you! one more time, I might be forced to do something you won’t like.”

I blinked at him, confusion wrinkling my brow, “What do you mean?”

His grin turned playful, almost mischievous. “I might have to start charging interest on all that gratitude.”

Despite everything…the fear, the tiredness, the secrets weighing me down–I found myself smiling

1/4

10-20. Wed,

Chapter 132

Actually smiling.

When was the last time I had done that? Before the lawyers‘ message, certainly. Before everything fell apart

Clancey chuckled at my face and began eating his own meal, and for a few precious minutes, we existed in this bubble of normality

Just three people sharing dinner, like a real family might.

But i wasn’t part of a real family. I was a runaway with a toddler and a secret that could change everything

(The Motel Scene]

The drive back to the motel was quiet except for Caesar’s sleepy chatter from the backseat.

As we pulled into the parking lot, my eyes immediately locked onto the sleek Ferrari sitting like a predator among the beaten down

“Now that’s what I call slumming it,” Clancey commented, following my gaze. “Wonder what kind of person drives a car like that to a place

like this.”

I stared at my rented Honda, looking pathetic and worn next to the Ferrari’s gleaming perfection.

Something about that car made my skin crawl with unease, though I couldn’t put my finger on why.

“Probably someone who got lost,” I murmured, but the words felt hollow

We made our way toward the reception area, Caesar’s hand secure in mine.

Instead of Victor, the usual desk clerk, there

re was a woman behind the counter with bleached hair and a cigarette dangling from her lips.

The acrid smoke hit us immediately, and I quickly covered Caesar’s nose and mouth with my free hand.

Clancey frowned deeply, gesturing toward the prominent “NO SMOKING” sign on the wall behind her. “Excuse me, I think you missed the

sign.”

The woman barely glanced up from her magazine. “Yeah, and? Your

need a room or what?”

“I’ll get your key,” Clancey said to me, his voice tight with annoyance. “Stay back here with Caesar.”

“You don’t have to…

But

the was

was already approaching the counter, his shoulders set in conclusion. “Where’s the guy who’s usually here!”

“Victor? Had an emergency. Family thing” She took another long drag, blowing smoke directly in his direction. “You want a room for you and your family or not?”

Clancey glanced back at me and Caesar, and I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. The word “family” shouldn’t have made my heart skip, but it did.

“The lady was rushed to the hospital this morning.” Clancey explained. “Her things are still in her room. We need the key.”

The woman’s eyes shifted from Clancey to me, recognition dawning “Ahir, you’re the one who caused all the commotion. Yeah. I heard about

that.”

“The room key?” Clancey’s patience was clearly wearing thin

2/4

Chapter 132

She stubbed out her cigarette in an overflowing ashtray and turned to examine the keyboard on the art Boom 247 shook was empty

“Key’s not here. You sure you didn’t take it with you?”

I

“I never took the key,” I said, stepping closer despite the lingering trinke. “I was unconscious when they took me to the hospita

“How the hell do you lose someone’s room key?” Clancey’s voice carried a dangerous edge

The woman scowled and muttered something under her breath that made my ears burn, then yanked open a drawer and pulled out a spare key.

“Here, shitheads. Try not to lose this one.”

“Charming,” Clancey said dryly, pocketing the key. “Your customer service really sets this place apart.”

As we headed toward the stairs, I felt compelled to apologize. “I’m sorry about her betuvior. She was rude to you because of

Clancey laughed, the sound echoing in the narrow stairwell. “Trust me, I’m used to dealing with people like that. masty, they just wear better suits while they do it.”

“She was scary,” Caesar whispered, pressing closer to my leg

inessmen can be just us

Both Clancey and I smiled at that, the innocence of my son’s observation cutting through the tension. At least some things were simple in a three year–old’s world.

We reached the second floor, and I felt my steps slow as we approached room 247. Something felt wrong

The air felt different, charged with an energy that made the hair on my arms stand up

Clancey hand me the key as i slid the key into the lock, and the door swung open.

My world stopped.

Hunter stood in the center of the small room like an avenging angel, his dark hair disheveled, his expensive clothes wrinkled from travel

In his clenched fist was a crumpled piece of paper that I recoplized with sinking dread…the check his mother had given me.

Our eyes met across the space that suddenly felt smaller than a coffin, and I watched his face transform from surprise to cold fury.

“Hello, Celine,” he said, his voice deadly calm as he held up the crumpled check. “Surprised to see me?”

Before could find my voice, before I could even process what was happening, Caesar let out a squeal of pure joy

“Papal Papal” He broke free from my grip and ran straight into Hunter’s arms. “You found us! I knew you would!”

Hunter’s entire behavior changed as he dropped to his knees and swept Caesar into a fierce embrace. For a moment, his mask slipped, and I saw the raw relief and love in his eyes as he buried his face in our son’s hair.

“I found you, buddy,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I found you.”

But when he looked up at me over Caesar’s head, the cold fury was back, more intense than before.

His gaze shifted to Clancey’s hand on my shoulder…when had he put it there?

and something dangerous flashed in those blue eyes. I felt my knees go weak, and only Clancey’s steadying grip kept me upright.

3/4

Chapter 132

“Are you okay?” Clancey asked quietly, concern evident in his voice,

I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think past the terrible certainty that everything was about to fall apart all

Hunter stood slowly, lifting Caesar with him, never breaking eye contact with me. “Let’s go home, buddy,” he said to our son, but his words

felt like a threat.

Home. As if I still had one. As if I belonged anywhere in his world.

The check in his hand told a different story.