The Billionaire's Widow

10

Little did I know I wasn’t going to have even a minute to myself.

“Paige,” Hailey called, walking out of the manager’s office looking genuinely happy.

“Yeah?” I answered.

She grabbed my hand and led me toward one of the sections. “We’ve got thirty minutes to shop. Now—what do you want?”

I blinked. “Me? You want to buy things for me?”

She giggled. “Yes. Since you won’t tell me what’s bothering you, I figured maybe taking you out would cheer you up.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“Oh come on, Paige. You can’t expect me to just sit around while you stress about whoever or whatever is on your mind. It was bothering me.”

“Mrs. Anders… thank you, but you didn’t have to.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing to me.”

I looked around the shop. Some of the price tags had my monthly salary written on them. I couldn’t believe my boss was letting me pick not just one thing, but as many as I wanted for the next thirty minutes.

No one had ever done something like this for me. Sure, Amy would take me shopping occasionally, but never like this. Never just… for me. This was sweet. Thoughtful. Unbelievable.

I turned to her and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Anders. I honestly don’t even have the words to express how grateful I am.”

She pulled me into a hug.

My body went soft in her arms. There was something comforting—almost right—about being held by her. Her embrace felt like home.

Or maybe I just really needed a hug after all the family drama yesterday. Maybe that’s why it felt so extraordinary.

“You’re welcome,” she whispered as she pulled back. “And you can stop calling me Mrs. Anders. Just call me Hailey, okay?”

“Okay.” That was going to take some getting used to.

“Perfect. Now let’s shop.”

She dragged me to the handbag section first. Honestly, I’d never taken Hailey as the girly type—the spa days, mani-pedis, fashion indulgence. But then again, her nails were always flawless. Maybe I should try to get to know her better. Learn who she really is beneath the title billionaire widow.

Later…

“Oh hey, sis. You’re back.” Jason’s voice called out as I dropped the bags on the floor. Bobby followed in with the rest.

“Good evening, Jason,” Bobby greeted.

“Hey man,” Jase said, shaking his hand. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good.” Bobby turned to me. “I’ll take my leave now.”

“Thank you, Bobby. Bye.” He nodded and left.

Jason looked at the bags, then at me. “You look exhausted.”

I let out a tired laugh. “That’s because I am. But—I got you something.”

His eyes lit up. “Wait, really?”

I smiled and pulled out one of the bags, handing it to him. “Here.”

He opened it, saw the box, and gasped. “Holy moly! You actually got them!” He screamed and lunged forward, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

I giggled. “You’re welcome, Jase.”

He pulled back, still grinning. “How did you even get them? I thought you hadn’t been paid yet?”

“True. But my boss took me on a shopping spree today. When I saw these, I remembered how much you wanted them. I had to grab them for you.”

“You’re really the best sister ever.” His smile melted my heart.

“You’re welcome, bro. Now help me carry these to my room—I need a shower.”

Hailey’s POV

I walked out of my bathroom, hair damp, wrapped in a silk robe. Today had been exhausting—but in the best way. Shopping, laughing, talking… I hadn’t felt that light in a long time.

Helping someone feel better brought me a strange but beautiful kind of joy. Being around Paige made things feel more… normal. Not professional. Not strategic. Just real.

I smiled more. Laughed more. Whether it was at her gasps over the price tags or her awkward “thank you”s, it warmed something inside me. A piece of joy I thought died with Xavier flickered back to life.

It wasn’t the same kind of happiness, of course. But it was still happiness. It was pure.

After five long years, I finally felt like I was letting go—just a little. Like maybe there was more to life than just being the late billionaire’s widow. Maybe there was more to Hailey than just “Mrs. Anders.”

And it started because I made someone else smile.

That made me pause. Sit down. Think.

Was I happy just because I made someone smile… or was I happy because I made Paige smile?

There was something about her, yes. But if she was the reason for my joy… then what did that mean?

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