The Billionaire's Widow

36

Hailey’s POV

“Come in,” I called, pausing the show I’d been half-watching.

Charlotte walked in.

“Hailey, your PA is here to see you.”

I sat up, confused. “What? Paige? Are you sure?”

She nodded. “She said you missed a meeting, haven’t been answering calls, and she’s worried.”

My heart dropped. Paige? Here?

“I—I don’t want to see anyone right now,” I said quickly, already feeling the shame from last night bubbling up again. “Please, just tell her that.”

Charlotte gave me a hesitant look but nodded and left.

I sank deeper into my bed, staring at the screen but not really watching. All I could think about was her. Was she really here just for work—or was there more?

Before I could spiral any further, the door swung open.

“Seriously?” Paige walked in, closing the door behind her. “You don’t want to see anyone?”

I blinked. “How did you even get in here?”

“Charlotte’s in your study, looking for a green file you supposedly asked for.”

I frowned. “What green file?”

She raised a brow. “There is no file. I lied to get her out of the way.”

“You tricked her?” I asked, incredulous.

“I had to see you.” Her expression softened. “Hailey, why are you avoiding me?”

I crossed my arms, hurt bubbling to the surface. “What did you expect? I told you I had feelings for you. And you just… froze.”

“And I’m the childish one?” she said, moving closer.

“You should leave, Paige.”

But she didn’t. Instead, she climbed onto the bed, sitting beside me like she had every right to.

“I’m not going anywhere. You don’t get to confess your feelings and then ghost me the next day.”

I looked at her, startled by how serious her tone was. “You froze, Paige. I felt like an idiot.”

She leaned in, her voice softer now. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was shocked. You said exactly what I’d been dreaming about for so long, and it didn’t feel real. I didn’t know how to react.”

“That still made me feel humiliated,” I whispered.

She gently cupped my arms. “I’m sorry. That silence wasn’t rejection. I was overwhelmed—in the best way.”

Then she slid onto my lap, straddling me, her eyes searching mine. “You’re not stupid, Hailey. You’re everything I want.”

She kissed me, slow and certain, like she meant it.

“So... what now?” I whispered against her lips.

“Now?” She smirked. “You’re mine. And I don’t share.”

I laughed. “Where did this confident Paige come from?”

She grinned. “This is the girlfriend package, babe.”

Another knock came from the door.

“Charlotte, not now!” I called.

Paige ignored it, kissing down my neck. I gasped, her mouth finding my weak spot.

Another knock. And another.

“CHARLOTTE!” I snapped.

“You should probably check,” Paige said with a sigh, pulling back.

I groaned and got up. “This better be good.”

I opened the door—then froze.

“Cammy?”

She stood there, teary-eyed and pale. “Mommy...”

I knelt down instantly. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“My tummy hurts,” she said softly.

I scooped her up and rushed her to the bed.

“What’s going on?” Paige asked, already moving over.

“She says her stomach hurts,” I said, grabbing my phone with trembling hands.

Paige held Camilla gently. “Hey beautiful,” she whispered.

“Hi,” Cammy replied weakly.

“Hi, this is Hailey Anders. I need to speak to Dr. David—it’s urgent,” I told the receptionist.

“One moment, please.”

Seconds later, his voice came through. “Mrs. Anders, good evening.”

“I’m so sorry to disturb you, but my daughter has a stomach ache and she’s burning up. Please, can you come check on her?”

“I’ll be there shortly.”

I hung up, turning back to the bed. Paige held Camilla close while I sat beside them.

“She’s hot,” Paige murmured.

I nodded. “I let them eat too much candy lately… I wasn’t thinking.”

Camilla looked up, her voice small. “Will I be okay, Mommy?”

Tears pricked at my eyes. “Of course, baby. The doctor’s coming right now. You’ll be fine.”

Later...

“She’ll be okay, Mrs. Anders,” Dr. David reassured me. “Just too much sugar, causing a tummy ache and fever. The meds will help.”

“Thank you,” I breathed out. “You’re sure she’ll be alright?”

“Absolutely. She just needs rest.”

I wrote a cheque quickly and handed it to him. “Thank you again.”

“Goodnight,” he said.

I walked him out and returned to find Paige still curled up with Camilla, who was now sleeping soundly on her chest.

“Hey,” I whispered.

“Hey,” she smiled. “Her fever’s going down.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God. And... thank you.”

“For what?”

“For staying. For taking care of her. Of me.”

She gently laid Cammy’s head on a pillow, then turned to face me.

“I wouldn’t be a very good girlfriend if I left when you needed me most.”

I smiled, touched by her words. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

I leaned in, kissing her gently. “I still can’t believe you’re mine.”

She grinned. “Well, believe it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

I giggled softly, careful not to wake Camilla.

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