FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 73

CHAPTER 73

MIE

The office was quiet when I looked up from the contract I was reviewing.

Across the hallway, Claire and Rachel, two associate attorneys from the M&A department, were sitting in the break area, each with a coffee mug in hand. They spoke low, like they were sharing secrets, but the glass wall of my office let the conversation slip through.

“–and Theo woke up three times last night,” Claire was saying, shaking her head. “Three. I swear I don’t know how I’m still standing.”

Rachel laughed, but there was a tenderness in her voice when she replied. “Just wait until he starts walking. Then you’ll know what tired really means.”

“But it’s worth it, right?” Claire propped her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming. “Even with the sleepless nights, the chaos, the house looking like a war zone… I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Rachel nodded, and I found myself listening more closely than I should have. “I know exactly what you mean. Liz said ‘mama’ for the first time last week, and I cried like I’d won the lottery.”

They laughed together, and then Claire turned to my office door. “Jamie, what about you? Do you want to be a mom?”

The question caught me off guard. I set my pen down and forced a smile. “Yeah. I do. One day.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “One day? You’re thirty-two, right?”

“Thirty-two,” I confirmed, feeling a flicker of defensiveness. “I still have time.”

“Of course you do,” Claire said quickly, but there was something in her tone that suggested otherwise. “It’s just, you know, the biological clock doesn’t wait. After thirty-five, the risks go up. I’m not saying you should rush, but…”

“I know,” I cut in, keeping my voice light. “But I think I still have a few good years before I need to panic.”

Rachel laughed, but her look was gentle. “What matters is finding the right person.”

They laughed and went back to their conversation, but the phrase had already lodged itself in my chest like a splinter.

Being a mother was one of my biggest dreams for as long as I could remember. The first doll I got, at four, I already called “my daughter.” At fifteen, I was planning names for the kids I’d have: Lux for a girl, Daniel for a boy. A mental list I kept in the back of the memory drawer.

And then Oliver.

Ten years. Ten years believing he was the father of my future children. Ten years listening to him put off the conversation: “It’s not the right time yet,” “Let’s get more stable first,” “When I make department head.” I waited. I believed.

And he wasted my time.

15:33 Tue Sep 29 ) MT

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

The truth hit me like a punch to the gut, but instead of pain, I felt relief. As bad as starting over was, it would have been so much worse to have a child with the wrong man. A man who cheated on me. A man who didn’t even like kissing me.

I tightened my grip on the pen.

Never again.

Jamie Collins would never waste years of her life on any man again. Never. I’d rather spend the rest of my life single and childless than go through that kind of disappointment one more time.

“Jamie!”

Elizabeth’s voice cut through my thoughts. She was at the door, her eyes gleaming with that energy that always announced an idea I wasn’t going to like.

“Tonight. Staff gathering at the 53rd Street Party House. You’re going.”

“Going?”

“Yes. You’re going.” Elizabeth walked in without waiting for an invitation, sitting in the chair across from my desk. “Before you say no, I want you to know I already talked to Finance. They’re going. Marketing’s going. Even the legal intern confirmed. If everyone’s going and you’re not, it’s going to look like you think you’re better than everyone else.”

I opened my mouth to argue. Closed it. She had a point.

“You know what?” I sighed. “I actually need a drink.”

Elizabeth smiled like she’d just won the lottery.

The Party House was packed when I arrived. Low lights, loud music, the smell of exotic drinks hanging in the air. I was already on my eighth cocktail when the conversation at my table took an unexpected turn.

“Is he single?” One of the women from marketing asked, her eyes gleaming. “Mr. Hart, I mean.”

Elizabeth gave a mischievous smile, leaning across the table. “Well… our head of legal should know. She’s been spending a lot of time with him lately.”

All eyes turned to me.

“Jamie?” Claire asked, eyebrow raised. “So…. what’s your relationship with the CEO?”

The alcohol was already doing its work, and my mind seemed to be operating in slow motion.

I opened my mouth to answer, but Ethan’s voice cut through the air before I could form the words.

“EVERYONE!”

All eyes shifted to the stage, where Ethan was climbing up, a microphone in hand. His brown hair was artistically messy, and he smiled with the confidence of someone about to do something bold.

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

55 vouchers

“I’m going to sing a song,” he announced, pulling applause from the crowd. “This one’s for someone very special.” He paused briefly, a nearly secret smile forming on his lips. “Though she probably doesn’t know it

The chords of a romantic ballad started playing, and Ethan began to sing. The song was slow, charming, and when his eyes found mine, a shiver ran down my spine.

Must be my imagination, I thought. The alcohol’s making me crazy.

The song ended, and the crowd applauded enthusiastically. Ethan came down from the stage and headed straight for our table, sitting next to me.

“Nice performance,” I said, raising my glass. “Didn’t know you sang.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify