FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 207

CHAPTER 207

IMON

SIMON

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Jamie went upstairs with her phone pressed to her ear. I watched until she disappeared

down the hall. My wife had a particular way of squaring her shoulders when she switched into work mode.

I knew her well enough to tell the difference between an ordinary call and one that demanded every ounce of her attention.

This was the latter.

“Mr. Simon?”

I turned. Chloe was still near the kitchen, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Sylvia hasn’t arrived yet,” she said. “She called to say something came up at home. But I made coffee. Would you like some?”

“Yes, thank you. Did Sylvia say if she needed anything?”

“No, sir. Just that she might be very late.”

“All right. Tell her not to worry about getting here on time today. If she needs to handle things at home, she can take the day off. I’ll speak to her later.”

Chloe nodded and went to get a cup.

I pulled out my phone and checked a message from the repair shop. They hadn’t inspected the car yet. I asked them to send me a written diagnosis, then put the phone

away.

In the kitchen, Chloe set a cup on the counter and poured my coffee.

The house was quiet in a way it rarely was. No children running around, no Sylvia bustling through her routine, no Jamie coming downstairs to accuse me of stealing her charger.

“Mrs. Jamie seems very happy,” Chloe remarked.

I looked up.

“She’s doing well.”

“I’m so glad. I love seeing the two of you together. It’s obvious how much you love each other.”

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“Yes. I love her very much.”

Chloe fiddled with the sleeve of her blouse.

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer if it’s too personal.”

“Depends on the question.”

“What do you love most about her?”

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I looked down at my coffee for a moment. It was an odd question to ask at this hour, but not an offensive one.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“It’s not one thing. Love isn’t a checklist of qualities you tick off until you decide you’ve found the right person.”

I thought of Jamie asleep in the back seat, her fingers tangled with mine.

I thought of her holding her own in a room full of executives without ever raising her voice, then crying over a terrible movie while insisting she wasn’t crying.

None of those images explained why I loved her.

But they were all part of the answer.

“I see,” Chloe said, though she sounded disappointed. “That’s a lovely way to think about

it.”

I took a sip of coffee.

“But I think I know,” she added.

“Know what?”

“What made you fall in love with her.”

I frowned.

Chloe drew back slightly, as though she’d only just realized how personal that sounded.

“I’m sorry. Can I explain? It’s just how things look from the outside.”

I said nothing, so she went on.

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“You met through work. Jamie was your attorney, handling such important matters for the company… I imagine you admired how capable she was at first. And maybe

knowing you could rely on her turned into something more.”

I set my cup down.

“I didn’t fall in love with my wife because she was useful to me, if that’s what youre suggesting.”

Chloe blinked.

“No, of course not, Mr. Hart. I didn’t mean useful like that. I’m sorry. That came out completely wrong.”

“I fell in love with who she is, not what she could do for me.”

“I know. Sometimes we don’t even understand our own feelings, and I was only trying to offer an outside perspective.”

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Her voice was quiet, her eyes fixed on the counter. I wasn’t angry, but I saw no reason to keep discussing something so personal.

“I understand. But I didn’t ask for your opinion on my marriage, Chloe.”

A few seconds of silence followed.

“You’re right. That was inappropriate of me.”

“We don’t need to make a big deal out of it. I’d just rather you didn’t make assumptions about Jamie or our relationship. Okay?”

“Of course, sir.”

I went back to my coffee. Chloe picked up a napkin that didn’t need picking up, wiped an already clean section of counter, and stepped away.

I wasn’t sure whether I’d embarrassed her. Maybe I had. But I’d learned that being considerate didn’t mean agreeing with someone, especially when an employee ventured into your personal life.

My phone buzzed. A text from Jamie: Still talking to Ethan. I’ll be down soon.

I replied: Take your time. I’m making you eggs and bacon, just the way you like them.

Then I added: And I expect a kiss as payment for my services.

Three dots appeared on the screen.

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Her reply came through: I’m disputing that outrageous fee.

miled to myself.

Chloe returned to the kitchen carrying a small tray of toast.

“Does Mrs. Jamie usually eat something after a trip?”

“Yes, but don’t worry about it. I’m making her scrambled eggs and bacon.”

“Oh. All right.”

I grabbed a skillet and laid a few strips of bacon in it. While they cooked, I cracked some eggs into a bowl and whisked them with a fork.

Once the bacon was crisp, I took it out and cooked the eggs over low heat, stirring unti they were creamy, exactly the way Jamie liked them.

I put everything on a plate, added some toast, and left it on the counter.

That was when I heard footsteps on the stairs.

Jamie appeared without the smile she’d worn on her way up. She was gripping her phone, her brow furrowed. I crossed the kitchen before she reached the counter.

“What happened?”

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