FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 140

CHAPTER 140

HLOE

The morning started with the sound of the kids’ laughter carrying through the first floor of the apartment.

I stopped at the top of the stairs, still in my nightgown, and looked toward the dining room. Simon was sitting at the table with Lily and Sam. His dark hair was damp at the ends, his white shirt rolled up to his forearms. He’d clearly just gotten out of the shower.

He’d gone out in the middle of the night. Said he had something to take care of and didn’t come back until that morning.

I’d heard him come back, and well… the timing was way too suspicious.

I’d known Simon long enough to know what that meant. A phone call, an old contact, a woman willing to pick up. He was never built to be alone.

He could put a ring on Jamie’s finger, promise marriage, and play the domesticated man, but years of habits don’t just disappear because some pretty little thing believes she’s special.

And frankly, if Jamie knew how to actually keep him satisfied, he wouldn’t have spent the night out.

I almost smiled.

Maybe she was good at playing the perfect fiancée. But Simon had needs that required more than sweetness and good intentions.

I knew that better than she did.

The engagement had to be starting to crack. Maybe it wasn’t over yet, but it was close. I just needed to be patient and let Jamie do the work herself.

I walked down the steps slowly, letting the silk nightgown slide against my body. It was delicate, but not exactly subtle. I knew the effect it had on a man.

Lily looked up first.

“Good morning, Miss Chloe.”

“Good morning, sweetheart.” I smiled at her and Sam. “I see you two already started without me.”

“Uncle Simon made pancakes,” Lily announced, proud, like he’d prepared a whole banquet.

“And he almost burned the first one,” Sam added.

Simon shot him a dry look. “That stays between us, Sam.”

The kids laughed. I did too, right on cue. I pulled out a chair next to Simon and sat close enough that our arms almost touched.

“Long night?” I asked, pouring myself coffee, keeping my voice light.

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“It was.”

at was it No explanation. No excuse. Confirmation enough.

I let my eyes drop to the nightgown, like I’d just remembered what I was wearing. Simon followed the movement for a beat and looked back at my face.

“Maybe you could’ve picked something more appropriate for a work environment,” he said, measured and serious.

I smiled nervously, pretending to be embarrassed.

“Are you demanding I dress like a nun, Mr. Hart?”

“I’m asking you to dress appropriately when you’re working.”

The words were firm, but not loud. With the kids there, he didn’t want a scene.

“Of course,” I said with a small smile. “I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

Lily started telling a story about school, and Simon turned his attention to her.

I watched him talk to the kids. He looked tired, but calm. Maybe the night out had done him good.

Then the elevator opened again.

Jamie walked into the room with her bag hanging off her shoulder. For a second, nobody moved. Then Lily pushed her chair back and ran to her. Sam was right behind, the two of them wrapping themselves around Jamie’s waist like she’d been gone for months.

“Miss Jamie!” Lily practically yelled.

“Hi, my loves.” Jamie crouched down to hug them, smiling. “Did you miss me?”

Her smile lit up the room. My hand gripped the cup so hard I felt the porcelain press into my fingers.

What the hell was that bitch doing here?

Simon stood up. He walked to Jamie without hesitation and cradled her face in his hands. The kiss was brief, almost chaste, but too romantic to be mistaken for anything else. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.

“Welcome back,” he murmured.

Lily tugged at her hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something in my room.”

“Of course.” Jamie left her bag on the couch and followed her down the hall. Sam went after them.

I stood frozen by the table, trying to process what I’d just seen. Simon didn’t look at me until the kids disappeared upstairs.

When our eyes finally met, any trace of lightness was gone from his face.

He walked toward me.

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“Chloe. Can we talk?”

wallowed hard Does he know something?

“Of course, Mr. Hart.”

His gaze dropped briefly to my nightgown before returning to my face.

That didn’t feel like a good sign.

“About what exactly?”

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while.”

I straightened my shoulders.

“We’re not going to continue with you, Chloe.”

For a moment, the words didn’t land. Then my stomach dropped.

“What do you mean?”

“It won’t be immediate. You’ll have time to figure things out, but I don’t think you’re the right person for this house. We’re going to look for someone older, with more experience.”

My eyes filled with tears. From rage. But I made them look like sadness.

“Why, Mr. Hart? Am I not good enough?” My voice cracked. “I’ve given so much to those kids. Is it because of my nightgown? I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”

His jaw tightened. “This isn’t a punishment. I’m letting you know so you have time to find another job. I’ll pay you everything you’re owed.”

I let a tear fall. “Was it Miss Jamie who asked for someone older?”

“No.” The answer came sharp. “Jamie has nothing to do with this. I made the decision. Please, get yourself organized.”

He turned and walked up the stairs, like he’d just ended a run-of-the-mill conversation.

Like he hadn’t just made it perfectly clear he could toss me out the second I became inconvenient.

I waited until his footsteps disappeared.

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Then I wiped the tears away.

The sadness died instantly.

What took its place was much worse.

I went straight up to the gym, locked the door, and stood there for a few seconds, breathing through my

nose.

I couldn’t scream. Not with everyone in the apartment.

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