The Billionaire's Widow

13

Witnessing Amy and Austin's love made me sleepless. Thank goodness tomorrow was my day off. I stayed up thinking about my love life. Every time I let someone in, they disappointed me.

I knew I wasn’t ready to settle down, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely sometimes. Maybe I just needed more friends… maybe I just needed to go out more. I thought to myself.

I looked at the time—1 a.m. I grabbed my laptop and decided to watch a movie.

Hailey’s POV

“Mommy!” Camilla shouted, jumping on top of the bed.

“Camilla,” I groaned, covering myself with the white sheets.

“Mommy, wake up! You have to see this.” I finally sat up and looked at her.

“What?” I asked.

She giggled and pulled the sheets off me. “There’s a man downstairs!”

A man? I quickly followed her down to the lower level of the villa, but she was running so fast I could hardly keep up. Are all kids this energetic so early in the morning—or is it just mine?

When I got downstairs, there was indeed a man standing at the door, holding a gift-wrapped box with a card on top.

“Good morning, Mrs. Anders. I have a delivery for you.”

Right. A delivery guy.

“Okay, thank you.” I signed for it and took the large box from him.

“Charlotte!” I turned to Cammy. “Baby, where’s your brother?”

“Charlotte is giving him his bath.”

I sighed. I should’ve brought Marian with me on this trip.

“Okay.” I sat down and looked at the box. “Let’s see what this is.”

Camilla squealed excitedly.
“Open it! Open it!”

I giggled and eventually opened the box. Inside was a bouquet of flowers. I lifted them out to reveal a bottle of red wine and a smaller box of chocolates.

Camilla gasped when she saw the chocolates.

“Mommy, please, can I have some chocolate? Pleeeeeaaaase?” She gave me her best puppy-dog eyes.

I giggled. “Fine, but only one. I don’t want you getting a stomach ache from too many sweets.”

“Thank you, Mommy! You’re the best mommy ever!” she said, jumping up and down.

Just then, Charlotte walked in with Grayson beside her. He looked fresh and handsome—just like his father.

“Chocolate!” he shouted and ran to me, eyes wide with hope.

“You can have only one,” I said, and his smile lit up like a Christmas tree.

After giving them each a piece, I opened the card. I was curious who had sent me flowers and wine. Honestly, I was especially grateful for the wine—everyone knew I loved a good one.

"I know this is your first time going out alone with the kids, and if you’re not already exhausted, then you deserve the wine. —Kiki
Love,
Brooke"

I laughed, shaking my head. My best friend really was heaven-sent. I took the wine to the kitchen to open it.

“Good morning, Hailey.”

“Hey Charlotte. Don’t worry about breakfast—we’re going out.”

After a glass of wine, I was sure I’d be ready to have fun with the kids before heading back home in the evening.

I missed my office already. I missed my home. I missed my best friend.
Surprisingly, I even missed Paige. She’d been keeping me updated on everything at work, and for the past month, she’d been doing really well. I was even considering giving her a raise. Karen said it was still early, but I thought Paige deserved it.

“I’ll get the kids’ bags ready, then. Excuse me,” Charlotte said as she walked out.

Later...

“Welcome home, Mrs. Anders,” Marian greeted, taking my bags upstairs.

“Thank you. Is Brooke home?” I asked, carrying Gray, who was asleep in my arms. Charlotte followed, holding Cammy.

“No, she went out with her boyfriend. She said she’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I carried Gray up to his room, laid him in bed, and kissed his forehead before going to Cammy’s room. Charlotte was tucking her in, but she stirred.

“I’ll put her to bed. You go rest,” I said.

“Okay. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” I sat on Cammy’s bed. “Want me to read you a bedtime story?”

She shook her head. “Mommy, I want you to sleep next to me.”

I smiled and nodded. “Okay, princess.” I lay down and held her in my arms. “Better?”

“Yes,” she said, closing her eyes. “Thank you for the vacation, Mommy. I love you.”

I nearly cried.
“I love you too, baby.” I kissed her forehead.

My thoughts drifted to their father. He would’ve been the best dad. He would’ve loved them more than anything.
I heard her soft snores.

“Daddy loves you too. I know he does,” I whispered.
And I still love him too.

Paige’s POV

“Stephen, I have work tomorrow. I can’t go out,” I said.

“Paige, come on! Stop being a grandma. Just a few drinks and I’ll bring you back,” he insisted.

“Just a few?” I asked skeptically.

He nodded immediately. “Just a few.”

If I was being honest with myself, I needed to loosen up. The house was driving me crazy. All I ever did was go to work, come home, and sleep—every day, except Sundays. My life was… boring. I needed a change.

“Okay, fine. I’ll go and change. Give me ten minutes.”

“Yes!!”

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Do you think is Paige is making the right decision?

For the first time she chose to do something for herself and not someone else. I'm proud of her. But we all know it's never the greatest idea going out on a Sunday night when you have work tomorrow.

Vote please!!!