FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 92

CHAPTER 92

AMIE

The Ferrari pulled up in front of my grandmother’s house, and the silence between us was so thick I could hear my own breathing.

“Thanks for the ride, Hart,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “And good luck with your imaginary supplement store.”

He laughed, low and rough. “Imaginary? Wow, you’re full of yourself. You still think I drove all the way to Westchester just to spend a few more hours with you?”

“Honestly? I don’t know what to think anymore.” I crossed my arms. “You had about five hundred options in Manhattan, and yet here you are. Anyway. Bye.”

I opened the door, but before I could get my feet out, his hand pushed it shut again. The click echoed in the quiet street.

I turned to face him, my heart already racing.

“Simon, what are you-”

He didn’t answer. Just leaned in. Slowly. So slowly I could’ve pulled back. Could’ve turned my face. Could’ve said no.

But I didn’t do any of that.

My eyes closed the second his lips touched mine.

His mouth moved against mine with a gentleness I didn’t know he had in him, and when he finally pulled away, my lips were still tingling.

“See you later,” he said, voice low.

Then he reached that huge arm past me for the door handle and opened it like he was the most polite gentleman in the world.

“Bye,” I managed, my voice coming out two octaves too high.

I got out of the car without looking back, but my face was on fire. Checks burning. Heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

I walked to the door, my heels echoing on the stone path. My grandmother’s front door was slightly open, golden light spilling out from the living room.

I went in.

To my surprise, the place was packed.

Mom was on the couch next to two of my aunts, a cup of tea in her hand. Vanessa was in the armchair by the window, phone in hand, her huge belly jutting out under a floral dress. And in the center of it all, in her favorite chair, was my grandmother.

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FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

But she didn’t look like herself.

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She was paler. Thinner. And when she saw me, she stood. Or tried to. Her legs trembled, and one of my aunts rushed to help her.

“Grandma,” I said, crossing the room in three steps. “Don’t get up.”

She hugged me before I could stop her, her thin arms wrapping around my neck with a strength that surprised me.

“My girl,” she whispered. “You came.”

“Of course I came.” I held her tight, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender and flowers. She felt so fragile. “How are you?”

“Better today.”

I looked over her shoulder. Mom was watching me with a strange expression. My aunts too. And Vanessa. Vanessa was smiling.

“Didn’t know you’d all be here tonight,” I said, keeping my voice neutral.

“We’re almost always here,” Vanessa replied, not looking up from her phone. “Guess you’re the one who never has time, huh?”

I closed my eyes for a second. I avoided these gatherings specifically so I wouldn’t have to deal with her. At the birthday, there was no choice. This, though, was completely avoidable.

“Since we’re all here,” Grandma cut in, clapping her hands, “let’s eat. Food’s already on the table. And afterward we can have a girls’ night. You’re all staying over.”

Vanessa made a face. “I didn’t bring clothes.”

“I’ll lend you some of mine,” Grandma said without missing a beat.

Vanessa opened her mouth to argue, but Grandma was already heading toward the dining room, her arm linked through Aunt Marta’s.

“Come on, girls. Food’s getting cold.”

Everyone moved toward the table. I followed, feeling the weight of Vanessa’s stare on my back.

Dinner started out quiet. The food was delicious, as always. My aunts talked about their book club, the neighborhood, the price of fruit. I ate in silence, answering when I had to.

Until Grandma asked:

“So, Jamie. How’s Simon?”

I felt the air get heavier. I set my fork down before answering.

“He’s good.”

Mom perked up immediately. “Oh, that young man is a delight! You girls have no idea. He came over for

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FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

dinner the other night. So polite, so attentive… a real gentleman.”

What’s nice, Grandma said, smiling.

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“Speaking of which,” Vanessa cut in, her voice sweet as poisoned honey, “I saw them the other day. At Central Park.”

The table went quiet.

“With Simon’s kids,” Vanessa added, her smile widening. “They were at a pharmacy near the park. From what I gathered, the kids’ mother is in the hospital.”

Grandma frowned. “Kids? Your fiancé has kids?”

“Oh, Jamie, I hope you don’t mind.” Vanessa turned to me, phone already in hand. “The little girl mentioned her mother’s name, and I got curious. So I looked up Abigail Lancaster and found this on an old forum.”

She turned the screen toward us.

In the photo, Simon looked much younger. Abigail stood next to him, smiling at the camera, the two of them too close for anyone to need an explanation of what they’d been to each other.

“Looks like she’s hospitalized now,” Vanessa continued, scrolling with her finger. “Poor thing.” Then she looked up at me with that too-sweet smile. “But I imagine Simon got over all that a long time ago. I mean, he’s engaged again, right?”

She paused for dramatic effect, her eyes sweeping the table.

“I thought our Saint Jamie would be more sympathetic. But turns out she’s just a homewrecker!”

The women at the table gasped.

Aunt Marta clutched her chest. The other aunt shook her head in horror.

Vanessa’s mother let out a scoff. “I always thought Jamie was a little phony, but breaking up a family?” She shot me a hard look. “That’s too much. Honestly, Oliver dodged a bullet.”

My stomach turned.

Mom stared at me, eyes wide.

“Is that true, Jamie? Are you involved with a married man?”

“Of course not, Mom,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “After all, my name isn’t Vanessa.”

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