The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

-CELINE-

A warm breeze rustled through the garden as I watched Caesar chase butterflies through Eleanor Reid’s prized rose bushes,

It had been a week since that night in the wine cellar–a week of stolen glances, careful avoidance, and the heaviest silence’d ever experienced

“You’re doing it again,” Caroline said, swirling her wine glass larily as she lounged in the wrought iron chair

ir beside me.

I pulled my gare away from Caesar. “Doing what?”

“That thousand yard stare.” She took a sip of her rose. “The one where you’re physically here but mentally she waved her hand dramatically, “Somewhere in the stratosphere.”

Iforced a smile. “Just tired, Your cousin keeps me busy”

Caroline snorted. “Speaking of the big bad wolf, how is doar Hunter doing these days? And more importantly, how are you coping?”

My heart skipped at the mention of his name, a reaction I hated myself for. “He’s… Hunter. Busy. Demanding Thept my eyes on Caesar, who had abandoned the butterflies to examine a small garden statue, “And I’m line.”

E

“Hmmm.” Caroline’s skeptical hum spoke volumes. “You’ve been avoiding the topic of Hunter for days. Just like you’ve been avoiding Hunter himself

“Thaven’t been…

“Please,” she cut me of “I’m not blind, Celine. The two of you practically invented a new Olympic sport with how skillfully you dodge each other.”

I sighed, picking at a loose thread on my dress. “There’s nothing to talk about”

“Something happened,” Caroline pressed, leaning forward “That night of the power outage, when you two were trapped in the wine cellar.”

My cheeks burned. “Nothing happened.”

“That blush says otherwise.” Caroline’s voice softened. “You can talk to me, you know. I may be his cousin, but I’m your friend test”

I looked at Caesar, so innocent and unaware of the adult complications swirling around him. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t get involved with anyone after him…especially n

y not someone who could hurt us both.

“It was a mistake, I finally admitted, the words burning my throat. “We got caught up in the moment, and… it shouldn’t have happened.”

Caroline’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh my god, you slept with him.”

“Keep your voice down!” I hissed, glancing at Caesar, who thankfully remained absorbed in his exploration.

“Sorry,” she whispered, looking anything but sorry. “But… wow. I thought maybe you’d kissed or something, but you…

“It doesn’t matter,” interrupted. “Hunter made it very clear the next morning that it was a mistake. And he’s right.”

Caroline frowned. “What exactly did he say?”

The memory stung fresh. “That it was a ‘mistake that won’t happen again. That we need to maintain professional boundaries.” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice. “And he’s right, I work for him. I take care of his house. That’s all this is.”

“That’s such bull….Caroline caught herself, glancing at Caesar. “That’s ridiculous. Hunter doesn’t look at you like you’re just staff.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter how he looks at me. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions were pretty clear”

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“Hunter’s an idiot,” Caroline declared, refilling her glass. “An emotionally constipated idiot who wouldn’t recognize his fees they slapped him i face.”

Despite everything, Haughed. “is that the Reid family trail? Emotional constipation”

“Oh. We’re taught to repress from birth” She grinned, but her expression quickly sobered, “But seriously, Celine. I’ve never seen Hunteract around anyone the way he acts around you. And Caesar,”

At the mention of my son, my chest tightened. “That’s part of the problem. Cars is getting attached. Every day it’s ‘Mr. Hunter this‘ and “Mr. Hunter that What happens when we have to leave? Because we will have to leave

Caroline studied me. “You’re scared.”

“Of course I’m scared, Ladmitted quietly.

“I’ve been on my own since I was eighteen. Every person I’ve ever depended on has let me down. My parents chose my sister over me. Caesar’s father swallowed hard, the irony of complaining about Hunter to his cousin not lost on me.

“I’ve learned that depending on people is a luxury I can’t afford.”

“Not everyone leaves, Celine.”

“In my experience, they do.” I watched as Caesar crouched down to examine a ladybug his little face serious with concentration.

“And now I have him to think about. I can’t risk gotting hurt–getting both of us hurt–because I was foolish enough to believe in something that was never going to last.”

Caroline was quiet for a moment. “So you’re pushing Hunter away before he can push you away”

Her words hit too close to home. “I’m being realistic.”

“You’re being scared,” she countered gently. “And I get it. But Celine, those walls you’re building–they don’t just keep people out. They keep you locked.

in.”

Before I could respond, Caesar came running over, his cheeks flushed with excitement

“Mommy Mommy! I found a ladybug! Mr. Hunter says ladybugs are good luck!” His blue eyes–so painfully similar to Hunter’s–shone with excitement.

I forced a smile. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart.”

“Where is Mr. Hunter? Can I show him?” Caesar looked around expectantly,

My heart clenched. This was exactly what I feared. “Mr. Hunter is working, baby. Maybe another time.”

Caesar’s smile faltered slightly, but he nodded. “Okay, I’ll go find more bugs!”

As he ran off Caroline raised an eyebrow, “He adores Hunter.”

“I know,” I whispered “That’s what terrifies me.“”

We sat in silence for a moment, watching Caesar explore. Finally, I stood up, i should get back to work Mrs. Reid is arriving today, and I need to make sure everything’s ready.”

Caroline groaned. “Aunt Eleanor is coming? Why didn’t anyone tell me? I would

“Your aunt hates me,” I said, smoothing down my dress.

I have scheduled an emergency elsewhere.”

Caroline giggled. “Aunt Eleanor doesn’t hate you. She’s just…” she paused, searching for the right word, “scared.”

“Scared? Of me?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “What could Eleanor Reid possibly be afraid of from someone like me?”

“The way you’re changing her son,” Caroline said seriously. “Hunter’s different around you, Softer. More human. And that terrified her because it mus he might choose his happiness over the Reid legacy”

i shook my head, unwilling to believe her words. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say something that ridiculous. Hunter Reid is not changing for me

or anyone else”

As I called for Caesar to come inside, Caroline caught my arm. “Just think about what I said, okay? Some walls profectus, yes. But others just keep us from living.”

I pulled away gently. “Some of us can’t afford to live without walls, Caroline.”

Later that afternoon, I was arranging fresh flowers at the grand entrance when I heard the front door open, I turned, expecting to see Mrs. Reid, but instead found Hunter standing there, his tie loosened, looking tired.

“Oh,” I said, taking an instinctive step back. “I thought you’d be at the office until this evening

Hunter’s eyes met mine briefly before sliding away. “Change of plans, is my mother here yet?”

“No, sir. We’re expecting her in about an hour.”

He nodded, the formality between us as painful as it was necessary. “Good. I need to speak with you before she arrives.”

My heart rate quickened. “About”

Hunter glanced around the foyer. “Not here. In my study, please.”

I followed him reluctantly, maintaining a careful distance as we walked down the hallway. Once inside his study, he closed the door and turned to face

1. me.

“How’s Caesar?” he asked, his voice softer than I expected

“He’s fine. Playing in the garden earlier.”

Hunter nodded, a small smile touching his lips. “I saw him from my window. He was chasing butterflies.”

The idea of Hunter watching us from afar made something twist in my chest. “Was there something specific you wanted to discuss, Mr. Reid?”

His jaw lightened at the formal address, “Hunter,” he corrected quietly. “When we’re alone, at least… I’d prefer if you called me Hunter.”

I crossed my arms. “Is that appropriate, given our… professional boundaries?”

He winced slightly. “I deserved that.”

“Did you need something?” I pressed, unwilling to engage in whatever this was.

Hunter ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of uncertainty from a man usually so composed. “My mother she can be difficult. I wanted to warn

you.”

“I’ve met difficult people before. I’ll manage.”

“Celine,” he said, my name a solt plea on his lips. “Can we talk? Really talk? About what happened.”

I felt the walls around my heart strengthen “There’s nothing to say that won’t make this more difficult”

“I think there’s plenty to say.” He took a step toward me. “What happened between us

Chapter 69

“Was a mistake,” I finished for him, “Your words, not mine!

“I was wrong,” he said quietly.

Three simple words threatened to demolish every defense I’d built. I shook my head. “No, you were right. You’re my employer. I’m your mald. Ca I live here because you’re giving us a place to stay. Complicating that was,

unwise

“Is that all this is to you? A job? A place to stay?” His eyes searched mine.

I steeled myself against the hurt in his gaze, “What else could it be, Hunter? We come from different worlds. You’re you. And I’m a single mother with no college degree and a mountain of debt. This isn’t alry tale”

“It doesn’t have to be a fairy tale to be real.”

I laughed bitterly. “Real? What’s real is that I’ve been left before, I survived. I can do it again. But Caesar. My voice caught.

“He’s getting attached to you. And when this ends—when whatever this is inevitably ends–he’ll be heartbroken.”

“Who says it has to end?” Hunter asked softly.

“Experience,” I replied. “Life. Reality.”

He took another step toward me, close enough now that I could smell his cologne. “Celine, I….”

The study door burst open, and Caesar ran in, his face bright with excitement,

“Mr. Hunter! You’re home!” He launched himself at Hunter, who caught him reflexively, thing him.

“Hey, buddy,” Hunter said, his entire demeanor softening as he held my son. “Thear you were catching butterflies today.”

Caesar nodded enthusiastically. “And ladybugs! I found three! Mommy says your mommy is coming. Is she nice? Does sheke cookies? I helped Mommy make cookies”

Hunter’s eyes met mine over Caesar’s head, a silent apology for the interruption. “She loves cookies,” he told Caesar. “Especially chocolate chip.”

“That’s what we made!” Caesar exclaimed proudly

My heartached watching them together–the easy way Hunter held him, the adoration in Caesar’s eyes. This was exactly what I feared most the perfect picture of what we could never really have.

“Caesar, honey, Mr. Hunter is busy,” I said, stepping forward. “We should let him work.”

“Actually,” Hunter said, setting Caesar down gently, “I was about to take a break. Would you like to see the model trains in my collection, Caesar?”

Caesar’s eyes widened. “You have trains?”

Hunter nodded. “A whole set. They were mine when i wys your age.”

“Cani, Mommy? Please?” Caesar turned to me, bouncing with excitement.

1 hesitated, caught between my determination to maintain distance and the pure joy on my son’s face.

“Please?” Hunter added quietly, his eyes holding mine

At that moment, with both of them looking at me with identical blue eyes, I felt my resolve weaken.

“For a little while, I conceded. “But then wo need to finish preparing for Mrs. Reid’s arrival”

As Caesar cheered and Hunter led him toward the shelves where the model trains were displayed, I stepped back, watching the two of than together

H15:02: Fri, 1 Aug V

Chapter 69

“Some walls exist for a reason, Caroline. They protect us,” I had told her palier.

Looking at Hunter and Caesar now, heads bent together over tiny locomotives, I wondered if the walls I’d built were protecting me or just keeping from the very thing I most wanted.

But wanting and having were different things. And I’d learned long ago that for people like me, wanting too much only led to heartache.

So I stood alone, watching them from behind my carefully constructed walls, telling myself it was safer this way–even as a part of melonged to tea

those walls down.