The Billionaire's Widow

19

Paige’s POV

Saturday arrived, warm and quiet.

I woke up earlier than usual, the promise I made to Hailey nudging me out of bed. Brownies. I was determined to make them perfect. As the scent of chocolate filled the kitchen, a strange sense of peace settled over me. It was probably from last night’s phone call with my mom.

We talked—really talked—for the first time in what felt like years. She apologized. She accepted me. Hearing those words from her lips felt like a release I didn’t know I needed. I went to bed lighter, and I woke up softer.

By the time I pulled the brownies from the oven, Jason had already gone out. Again. With his “friend,” which I was pretty sure meant a new girl. I didn’t ask—I'd let him bring it up himself.

After a quick shower, I slipped into a long black dress that swept the floor and covered my feet. I tossed on the Gucci slides Hailey got me last week—I hadn’t worn them yet. In the mirror, I threw my hair into a messy bun, added gold hoops, filled in my brows, and paused. My lips felt... bare.

Red lipstick. Always.

I grabbed my bag, collected the brownies, and headed out.

Hailey’s house buzzed with laughter and splashes from the pool. Before I could knock, the maid let me in, and minutes later, Hailey appeared at the hallway entrance.

“Paige!” she called with a smile that made my chest ache. “You’re finally here.”

I smiled back, falling into the hug she offered. Her arms were warm. Familiar. A little too much for someone who wasn’t mine.

“Sorry I’m late,” I murmured. “Didn’t think the party had started yet.”

“Don’t apologize. Come on—this way.” She motioned down the hallway. “Are those the brownies? They smell heavenly.”

“Yeah. Fresh out the oven,” I said, walking beside her. “Where do you want them?”

“There’s a food table outside. Just set them there.”

And then I saw her.

Hailey. In a black swimsuit. Her body was glowing in the sunlight pouring through the open doors, and every step she took was sin. Her hips moved like they knew exactly what they were doing.

I blinked and looked away. Cleared my throat.

Focus, Paige.

“You can put them here,” she said when we reached the table. Kids were everywhere—running, playing, swimming, shouting. It was beautiful chaos.

“Paige!” Camilla squealed, sprinting toward me with wet curls and wide eyes. She hugged my legs tightly.

“Hey, princess.” I lifted her into my arms, her soaked swimsuit instantly dampening my dress.

“You came!” she beamed, clinging to me.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

She looked around excitedly. “Gray!”

Her twin, Grayson, spotted me and ran full-speed.

“Paige!”

I laughed as I placed Camilla down and caught him mid-run, giving him a squeeze and a kiss on the forehead.

“I missed you,” he mumbled.

“I missed you too, buddy.”

“They adore you,” Hailey said beside me.

“They’re easy to love,” I replied, smiling.

“Hey! You didn’t kiss me!” Camilla pouted, hands on hips.

“Oops! My bad.” I crouched down and kissed her forehead too. “Better?”

She nodded proudly.

“Paige brought you guys brownies,” Hailey told them.

Their eyes lit up.

“Thank you, Paige!” they chimed, then darted toward the dessert table.

“I think they’re more excited about the brownies than the party,” Hailey teased.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Do you want to change?” she asked, eyeing my damp dress. “You're the only one fully dressed.”

“Yeah, that would be great. I hugged a little too tightly,” I laughed.

“Come, I’ll show you the guestroom.”

Inside, the room was quiet and cozy. Hailey pointed toward the bathroom, and I nodded, scanning the space.

“Your house is beautiful,” I said honestly.

She turned toward me, eyes soft. “Thank you.”

We locked eyes.

It was just a second. Maybe two.

But something passed between us. Her lips parted slightly, and I could feel the tension rising like smoke in a room we couldn’t escape from.

I swallowed hard. “I should change.”

She blinked, as if waking up. “Yeah, sure. I’ll… head back to the pool.”

She turned and left, and the moment the door shut, I exhaled deeply.

“Get it together, Paige.”

I changed quickly, trying to shake off the heat simmering in my chest.

Hailey’s POV

I honestly didn’t expect the twins to ask for Paige to put them to sleep—but they did. And to my utter disbelief, she actually succeeded. They fell asleep smiling. I stood by the door and watched her whisper goodnight to them like she’d done it a hundred times before.

She was gentle. Kind. So good with them.

She was… something else.

Now, as I walked her to the door, I felt oddly reluctant to let her go.

“Thank you again for inviting me,” she said softly.

“Of course. You made their day.”

She looked down at her phone, a small frown on her lips. “I should probably head home. It’s pretty late.”

“Are you driving?”

She laughed lightly. “I don’t own a car.”

I blinked. “Wait. What?”

“I use cabs.”

“You mean… all this time you’ve been working for me, and you’ve never had a car?”

“I’ve been saving,” she said, brushing it off. “Your salary is generous. I should have one soon.”

“You’ve been running my errands all over town—in cabs?”

She gave a soft shrug. “It’s never been a problem.”

But it was a problem. Not because she complained—she never had. But because she didn’t. She just got up, did what needed to be done, and never once asked for more.

“It’s too late to find a cab now,” I said, glancing at the clock. “And Bobby’s gone to bed, so I can’t have him drive you.”

“I’ll call my sister.”

“No. You’re staying here.” I took her hand gently. “You can sleep in the guestroom.”

She hesitated, then gave a small nod.

“Okay.”

I walked her back upstairs and opened the door for her again.

“Goodnight, Paige.”

“Goodnight, Hailey.”

And I stood there a second longer, just watching her walk into the room—heart beating faster than I wanted to admit.

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