Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Hannah’s POV

I was living in a different world. The Lancaster estate stood proud

and magnificent on the East Coast, its white columns gleaming in the

summer sun. Inside the grand ballroom, crystal chandeliers cast a

golden glow over the gathered crowd of America’s elite.

My father, still alive and distinguished in his tailored suit, was deep

in conversation with William Sterling about their latest business

venture. My mother, resplendent in emerald silk, laughed

melodiously at something Victoria Sterling had said.

And then I saw him–Finn Sterling, tall and confident, his eyes clear

and bright as he moved through the crowd. Not blind, not scarred by a

traumatic childhood, but whole. When he spotted me, his face lit up

with a smile that transformed his already handsome features into

something breathtaking.

“There you are,” he said, taking my hand and kissing it. “I’ve been

looking for you everywhere.”

We had grown up together, our families‘ estates neighboring each other. We’d played as children, bickered as teenagers, and fallen in love as adults. It was all so natural, so perfect.

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My eyes snapped open as sunlight streamed through the windows of

my suite at the Sterling estate. For a moment, I felt a lingering sense

of contentment, of rightness. Then reality crashed back.

The ache between my legs quickly reminded me of reality. Last night

with Finn had been real–intense, overwhelming, nothing like I’d

imagined my first time would be. I touched my lips, still feeling the

ghost of his kisses. Had that really happened?

In the bathroom mirror, after a hot shower that soothed my tender

muscles, I noticed something strange: a pronounced line at the

corner of my mouth. I touched it, surprised. It was a laugh line, I

realized I must have been smiling in my sleep.

I rubbed at it, trying to make it disappear, as if erasing that mark

could erase the impossible fantasy my mind had created.

A soft knock interrupted my argument with myself. Amy entered with

fresh towels, a small smile playing on her lips though her eyes held a

hint of curiosity.

“Morning, Hannah,” she said warmly, dropping the formality we’d

abandoned. “Just so you know, Mrs. Sterling wants to see you after

breakfast. Nothing to worry about–I think,” she added with a

reassuring wink.

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My stomach tightened. “Victoria wants to see me? Did she say why?”

“No,” Amy said, laying out a few outfit options. “But like I said, she

seemed different today. Maybe try something nice? What do you

think?”

I chose something simple and comfortable from the wardrobe–a soft

dress that wasn’t too formal but still looked put–together. Meeting

Victoria always made me nervous, and at least I could be physically

comfortable while emotionally on edge.

As Amy helped me with my hair, I remembered my grandfather, John

Lancaster, the patriarch of our family. While my parents had doted on

me, their only daughter among four sons, Grandfather had been stern

and exacting. His gaze had always made me shrink, feel less than I

was. That same instinctive fear of authority figures had never quite

left me, and now it resurfaced as I prepared to meet Victoria.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Amy asked, concern in her voice. “You’ve

gone quite pale.”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just… thinking.”

Breakfast was a solitary affair in the vast dining room. Finn didn’t appear, and I felt both relieved and oddly disappointed. As I picked at

my perfectly prepared omelet, I replayed the previous night in my

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mind. The way Finn had touched me, his surprising gentleness

despite his initial roughness, the intense pleasure he’d shown me was

possible… I pushed the thoughts away, my cheeks warming.

After breakfast, I was escorted to a bright sitting room I hadn’t seen

before. Unlike the formal, intimidating spaces where I’d previously

met Victoria, this room felt almost cozy, with comfortable furniture

and sunlight streaming through large windows overlooking the

garden.

Victoria was already waiting, dressed not in her usual formal suit but

in an elegant silk lounging outfit. Her expression, typically sharp and

assessing, seemed softer today.

“Hannah,” she said, gesturing to the seat across from her. “Please, sit

down.”

She poured me a cup of tea herself, an unexpectedly personal gesture. “I trust you slept well?” she asked, her tone carrying a subtle

undertone I couldn’t quite identify.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied, unable to meet her eyes.

“And…” she hesitated, uncharacteristically delicate, “last night went…

satisfactorily?”

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Heat flooded my face. I could only nod, staring into my teacup.

Victoria visibly relaxed. “Good. That’s… good.” She took a sip of her

tea, then surprised me by asking, “How is your work at the school?

The special education center?”

I blinked, caught off guard by her interest. Until now, I’d just been a

transaction to her–a healthy young woman with good genes to carry

her great–grandchild. My actual life hadn’t seemed to matter.

“The Sunshine Center is on summer break right now,” I said

cautiously.

“Ah, of course,” Victoria nodded. “We don’t have school–aged children

around anymore. I sometimes forget about summer vacations.” She

paused. “Do you have any work matters that need handling while

you’re here? I could send someone to assist if needed.”

“No, thank you. Everything’s taken care of until fall.”

Victoria nodded, then set down her cup with a soft clink. “About your

job… if you become pregnant, you’ll need to leave your position at

the school. We have a private facility where you’ll receive the best

prenatal care.”

The thought of giving up my job made my heart sink. “I’d need to see

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how things progress before making any decisions.”

“You haven’t spoken with your principal yet about potentially

leaving?”

“No,” I admitted. “If I don’t conceive, I’ll still need my job to help with

Peter’s treatment.”

Victoria studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “I understand.

In fact, I’ve been thinking–even if you don’t conceive, I’m prepared

to pay you two hundred thousand dollars for your time these past few

days.”

I stared at her, stunned. “Really? Why?”

“You’ve earned it,” she said simply, not elaborating further.

My mind raced. Two hundred thousand would go a long way toward

Peter’s treatment, regardless of whether I conceived or not.

“I’ll have the lawyers draw up a supplementary agreement, Victoria

continued, all business now. She pressed a button on a small

intercom beside her chair and requested legal counsel to join us.

“Is there anything else you need while you’re here?” she asked.

“Anything to make you more comfortable?”

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I shook my head, still processing this unexpected development.

“Finn may be in the garden this morning,” she added, her tone

carefully casual. “He sometimes walks there when the weather is

pleasant.”

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