The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

-CELINE-

Sleep didn’t come easy that night.

I tossed and turned, the mysterious text message haunting me every time closed my eyes. By morning, I had read it at least fity times, trying to crack who could have sent iL

“Mommy, you’re making funny faces,” Caesar said, giggling as he watched me from across the breakfast table.

I forced a smile, “Am I was just thinking about something, sweetheart.”

“About Mr. Hunter?” he asked innocently, mouth full of cereal.

My cheeks warmed. “No, not about Mr. Hunter. And don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Caesar swallowed his food. “I like Mr. Hunter. He’s nice to me.”

I sighed, running a hand through my uncombed hair. Hunter had been nothing but kind to Caesar, which only confused me more. The man who could be so cold to me showed such gentleness with my son.

My phone buzzed again, making me jump. Another message from the same unknown number:

Don’t forget. Noon today. Come alone or everyone will know your secret.”

My hands trembled as I put the phone away. I needed to go, but I could not take Caesar with me. And I didn’t trust the staff with him, not with all the

media attention.

“Caesar, how would you like to spend the day with Caroline?” I asked, trying to sound casual

His face lit up.

“Yes! Can we go to the zoo again?”

“I’m not sure. But I bet she has something fun planned.”

An hour later, after speaking with Caroline, who thankfully agreed without asking too many questions, I was helping Caesar put on his shoes when a knock sounded at the door,

I expected to see Caroline, but instead, Hunter stood there, his expression unreadable.

“Hunter,” said, his name coming out breathier than I intended.

“Celine,” he replied formally, his eyes not quite meeting mine. “I need to speak with you about the press situation.”

Caesar ran over,

ver, hugging

Hunter’s legs. “Mr. Hunter! I’m going with Caroline today!”

her, okay?”

Hunter’s face softened as he looked down at my son. He ruffled Caesar’s hair. “Is that so? Well, you be good for h

“I will!” Caesar promised.

Hunter’s gaze finally met mine. “My office, ten minutes.”

Without waiting for my response, he turned and walked away, leaving

me staring after him. Ten minutes

That would give me just enough time to hand Caesar over to Caroline and make it to Hunter’s office. But it would also mean I had less than an hour before I needed to leave for Central Park.

When I arrived at Hunter’s office, he was standing by the window, phone pressed t

sed to his ear. He motioned for me to sit as he finished his call.

Chapter 62

“Find out who’s behind it,” he said briefly before hanging up. He turned to face me, his expression guarded. “We need to discuss what happened yesterday”

My heart skipped a beat. “The tabloids?”

“That,” he said, coming around to lean against his desk in front of me, “and the other thing

I swallowed hard. “The other thing?

“Don’t play dumb, Celine. It doesn’t suit you.” His voice was cold, but his eyes held something else…something that made my skin tingle.

“You kissed me,” I said, deciding to confront it head–on. “And then your

ran away

His jaw tightened. “I didn’t run away. I had business to attend to

“Right,” I said, unable to keep the hurt from my voice. “The important business of avoiding me.”

Hunter’s expression softened almost imperceptibly, “I’m not good at this, Celine. Whatever this is”

“And what is this, Hunter?” I asked, suddenly tired of the games. “One minute you’re cold and distant, the next you’re kissing me like… like

“Like what?” he prompted when I trailed off.

“Like you can’t help yourself,” I finished my

y voice barely above a whisper.

He pushed away from the desk, moving to stand directly in front of me. “Maybe I can’t”

My breath caught in my throat as he leaned down, his face inches from mine. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me again. But instead, he straightened up, resuming his professional stance.

“We need to be careful,” he said. “The press is looking for any hint of scandal. If they were to find out about what happened yesterday…”

“Nothing happened,” I cut in, suddenly angry. “You made sure of that.”

Hunter’s eyes darkened, “Nothing? Is that what you call it?”

“What would you call it?” I challenged.

He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it, seeming to think better of whatever he was about to say. “It was a mistake” he finally said, the words falling between us like stones. “One, I would make sure not to repeat”

I nodded, ignoring the ache in my chest. “We are going with that again, a mistake again…I sighed. “Is that all, Mr. Reid?”

His face hardened at my formal tone. “For now, I’ve arranged for extra security around the house. Don’t leave the grounds without informing Baron or me. The press is persistent”

I glanced at my watch. 11:15. I needed to leave soon if I was going to make it to Central Park by noon.

“Actually,” I said, standing up, “I need to run some errands in town today.”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “Errands?”

“Yes,” I said, standing my ground. “Personal errands.”

“Send someone else, he replied dismissively, “It’s not safe for you out there right now

“I can handle myself,” Linsisted. “And these errands can’t wa

He studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. “What are you not telling me, Celine?”

Chapter 62

I kept my expression neutral, though my heart was racing. “Nothing, just need some things from the drugstore.”

Hunter didn’t look convinced. “Take Baron with you.”

“I’d rather go alone.”

“That’s not a request,” he said firmly. “Either Baron goes with you, or you don’t go at all”

I bit back a retort, realizing I had no choice. “Tine. But I need to leave now

Hunter nodded, seemingly satisfied. ‘T’ll let him know.”

I turned to leave, but Hunter called my name, stopping me at the door.

“Celine?”

I looked back at him, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach when our eyes met.

“Be careful,” he said, his voice softer than before.

I nodded and hurried out, my mind racing. How was I going to meet this mysterious person with Baron tagging along? The text had been clear…come alone or my secret would be exposed

As I walked down the hallway, I pulled out my phone to send a message to the unknown number, explaining that I couldn’t come alone. But before could type anything, another text came through:

‘Change of plans. Bethesda Fountain. 12:30. Shake your bodyguard.

My blood ran cold. Whoever this was, they were watching me. They knew about Baron

I found him waiting by the front door, car keys in hand. “Ready to go, Miss Brown?”

I forced a smile. “Ready,”

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