STUCK WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

CINNAMON:

m M

The cabin was quiet without him.

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I’d thought I wanted that. Instead, I got emptiness. I missed his altitude, his nagging and the noise he made just by existing.

I sat on the couch, staring at the cold fireplace, trying to focus on the analysis of the note I have been drafting for this project. Nothing made sense because my brain refused to process anything except his absence.

Dante has been gone for seven hours now and I still had no idea where he’d disappeared to or why.

“Take care of things until I’m back.” That was it. No explanation or timeline or reassurance that he’d actually return.

Just those six words and then the helicopter, lifting off and leaving me stranded in the one place that I had a bad memory of with a fake engagement.

My mind wouldn’t stop spinning toxic scenarios.

Did he go back to his girlfriend or wife back in Alabama who’d called with an emergency? Maybe it was her birthday. Or their anniversary. Maybe he’d been juggling both of us this whole time, and I was just the convenient business arrangement while she got the real version of him.

“Stop it,” I muttered, pressing my palms against my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”

But the thoughts wouldn’t quit.

What could be so urgent that he couldn’t spare thirty seconds to tell me what was happening? To give me something to work with instead of leaving me here like an afterthought?

I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. If I stayed in this cabin one more minute, I’d lose my mind completely.

***

I got to mom’s house and let myself in with the spare key.

“Mom?”

“In here, sweetie.”

I followed her voice to the living room and stopped dead in the doorway. She looked worse. So much worse than yesterday.

Her skin had taken on a grayish tint, like all the color had been lached out overnight. The shadows under her eyes were darker, deeper. And the way she sat hunched forward slightly, one hand to her chest told me she was having trouble breathing.

“Mom.” I hurried over to her, kneeling. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Her smile was weak and unconvincing no matter how she tried. “Just a little tired.”

“You’re not fine.” I reached for her hand. It felt too cold not because of the weather but because she was fragile and if I squeezed too hard, the bones would snap. “When’s your next treatment?”

“Next month. Maybe the month after.” She waved vaguely. “I have to check the calendar.”

Next month or the one after?

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m M.

Chapter 21

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The words knocked the air out of me.

We didn’t have that time. We needed the treatment now before her body gave up completely and the cancer decided it was done waiting.

But I didn’t say that or let the panic show on my face.

Instead, I helped her settle more comfortably against the cushions, adjusted the blanket across her lap, and forced my voice to stay happy.

“It’s going to be okay, Mom. This will pass. You just need rest,”

She nodded, closing her eyes. “Where’s your fiancé?”

The question caught me off guard.

“He had to fly back to Alabama. Work emergency.”

“You two work so hard.” She opened her eyes, fixing me with a look that was far too knowing. “Make sure you enjoy your time together. Make memories. That was the mistake I made with your father.”

All of a sudden my eyes felt teary and my throat dried up.

“We thought we had forever,” she continued, voice faint. “So we were lazy about it. Took the time for granted. And then one day, he was just… gone. Death doesn’t give you a warning, Cinnamon. It doesn’t wait until you’re ready.”

I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her shoulder to hide the tears threatening to spill.

“I know, Mom.”

My hand moved to stroke her hair, something I’d done since I was a kid whenever she was sad or sick or just needed comfort.

A clump came away in my fingers. I stared at it dark strands, more than there should be. More than was normal.

“Mom-”

“I know.” She took the hair from my hand, examining it with detached curiosity. “I was going to trim it anyway. It’s losing its texture. Doesn’t look as pretty as it used to.”

The tears broke free.

“Sweetie, don’t cry.” She cupped my face, thumbs brushing away the wetness. “Even if death comes, I’ll be happy. I got to see you and Khole grow into amazing women. I got to watch you chase your dreams. That’s more than some mothers get.”

“Don’t

say that.”

“It’s true.” Her smile was gentle. Resigned. “And when I go, I’ll finally get to see your father again. He’s been waiting. I know he

has.”

“Mom, stop-”

“I’m not afraid, Cinnamon. And you shouldn’t be either.”

But I was terrified.

The thought of losing her, having to navigate this world without her steady presence, wisdom, warmth and unconditional love would shatter me.

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Chapter 21

mM.

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Mom, Khole, Risa were all I had. Losing one of them would break something inside me that I’d never be able to fix.

I wiped my eyes, forcing myself to breathe and focus on something else before I completely fell apart.

“Can 1,ask you something about Jensen Harbor?” I changed the subject. Maybe this would help the mood.

She frowned slightly. “What about him?”

“Why is he the town’s representative? How did that happen?”

Mom shifted, wincing as she repositioned herself. “It came as a surprise to most of us. Last year, there was an election. Jensen threw his hat in the ring, and somehow…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “He won.”

“But why would people vote for him? He’s-“I stopped myself before saying something Mom would scold me for. “He doesn’t seem particularly qualified.”

“No, he doesn’t.” She coughed. “But he went and got a law degree specifically for this. Said he wanted to represent Meadowbrook properly in legal matters. Made a big show of it. People were impressed.”

“Are you?”

“No.” The word came out flat. “That man is devious. Always has been. But enough people believed he’d changed, so here we

are.”

I leaned forward, lowering my voice even though we were alone “We had a meeting today. And all he cared about was money. He didn’t ask about development plans, community benefits, nothing. Just how much we’d pay.”

Mom’s expression darkened. “That sounds like Jensen.”

“He needs to be replaced. Someone more competent needs to handle this, or it’s going to fall apart. And if it’s done right, this project could actually help Meadowbrook. Bring jobs. Growth. A future.”

“I brought that up at the last council meeting.” Mom’s voice was red. Defeated. “No one would listen. They said he’s the best we have.”

“Why? Why would they say that?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe they just like him.”

I sat back, frustration churning in my stomach.

None of this made sense. Jensen was slimy, greedy, and completely unqualified. Anyone with half a brain could see that.

So why was he still in charge?

Instead of thinking about my mom’s situation or even the fishy situation with Jensen, my thoughts drifted to Dante.

Where was he right now? What was he doing?

Was he with someone else? Some beautiful, polished woman who didn’t challenge him at every turn, who made his life easier instead of harder?

I felt a pang of jealousy.

I slapped myself lightly on the cheek.

“Stop it. It’s not your business.”

“What’s not your business?” Mom asked, eyebrows raised.

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Chapter 21

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“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

She smiled knowingly but didn’t push.

“Marcus is in town,” she said after a moment. “Did you know?”

My stomach dropped. “Yes, Khole told Megan.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I was defensive. Honestly, I couldn’t say how I felt about him until we ran into each other. “His presence doesn’t affect me anymore. I just… wonder why he came back.”

“Who knows?”

Something about it felt wrong. Marcus never liked Meadowbrook. He happily avoided it like it carried the plague. Why come back now?

I pushed the thought aside. I had bigger problems.

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