The Billionaire's Widow

48

Karen's POV

"I dropped the lawsuit against your precious daughter-in-law-so what do you want?" Kiara said flatly as she opened the door. She was still in her silk black robe, face bare. She'd just woken up.

I sighed and walked past her into the house. "That's not how I raised you to greet your elders, Kiara."

She followed me into the living room, arms crossed.

"If you're here to see your grandchildren, they've already left for school."

I turned and faced her. She wouldn't meet my eyes.

"I'm still your mother, you know."

Silence.

"I saw the driver taking them through the gate this morning. I know they're not here."

She rolled her eyes. "So what do you want, Mother? I haven't harassed Hailey or her girlfriend all week, so there's no reason for you to come here and threaten me again."

She sat down. I followed and did the same.

"I'm glad you've finally accepted that what you were doing was harassment."

Just then, the maid entered.

"Good morning, Mrs. Anders. Can I get you anything?"

I smiled gently. "No thank you, dear. I'm fine."

She nodded and returned to her chores.

I turned back to Kiara. "I'm here because I wanted to check on you. Your husband says you haven't left the house in a week and barely eat."

She raised an eyebrow. "You came to check on me? Really?"

"Yes. You're my only baby."

Kiara laughed-dry and bitter. "Your only baby, huh?" She chuckled again. "You should quit pretending. You and I both know you don't love me."

"Oh please," I scoffed. "You're still stuck on that nonsense? Kiara, when are you going to grow up?"

"I did grow up!" she yelled. "You and Dad forced me to!"

"Don't raise your voice at me."

"I'm just speaking the truth," she said, eyes cold. "You were always away-another business trip, another excuse-and I was left to care for a sick child when I was barely ten years old!"

Her voice cracked. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"I was just a kid. And yet every night, I watched over Xavier, praying he'd live to see the next morning. You were never around."

"What are you talking about? I was there."

"You were busy, Mother!" she snapped. "You and Dad were always busy. And those nannies you hired? They snuck out of the house at night. Left me alone with him."

My heart dropped. "What?"

"You didn't know because you never asked," she whispered. "You didn't care."

I blinked, stunned. "How can you say that? How can you believe I didn't care about my own children?"

Her tears spilled.

"Because that's how it felt. I watched my brother die slowly, every single day. I begged God to let him live. And then-he left me. Just when he was getting better... he left."

I swallowed hard. "You really think I didn't love him? Or you?"

She broke down completely. "He didn't even get to meet his own kids."

"I know, honey. I know." I moved closer and pulled her into my arms.

"We worked hard, Kiara. Your father and I did everything we could to pay for Xavier's treatment-to build something that would secure your futures. Every dollar, every hour... it was for you two. I used every moment I could to be with you both. Don't you remember the nights I stayed with him in the hospital? The birthdays I tried not to miss?"

She looked up at me, eyes pained.

"I remember some. But I also remember crying alone. I remember being ten years old and wiping your son's fevered forehead at 2 a.m. That doesn't leave you."

I wiped a tear of my own. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. If I'd known those girls weren't doing their jobs, I would've never left for so long."

"I just miss him so much," she whispered.

"I miss him too." I kissed her forehead gently. "He was so strong. So brave."

She nodded, leaning into me.

"I want you to know," I said quietly, "your father and I do love you. And we loved Xavier. Please never believe otherwise."

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I thought... because you had us young... that we weren't planned. That you didn't want us."

I tilted her chin. "Kiara, you are my child. I carried you for nine months because I wanted you. If I didn't, I would've ended that pregnancy."

Her eyes widened at the bluntness.

"Whether I was young or not, I chose you. I loved you. I still love you."

"You're right," she whispered. "I'm so sorry, Mom."

"I'm sorry too-for not showing you more love."

She rested her head on my shoulder, and I ran my fingers through her hair.

Paige's POV

"God, it's so hard to hug you now," I laughed as I hugged Amy gently.

She glared and pinched my arm. "If you say anything about how big I am again, I swear-"

"Okay, okay!" I giggled. "I'm just teasing. You know I love you."

She rolled her eyes with a grin. "What's in the bag?"

"Here." I handed it to her. "Lunch. I made your favorite."

"Paige, you're a lifesaver." She opened the bag and inhaled. "God, that smells amazing."

"You're welcome."

She started eating but paused. "By the way, didn't you say you had something important to tell me?"

I sat down and put my bag on the table. "Yeah. I need your advice."

"Alright," she said, already munching. "What's going on?"

"I got a job offer."

She paused, confused. "But you already have a good job."

"I know. But... remember that company Beta Inc.? The one I told you about a few months ago?"

She frowned, thinking. "I know the company, but I don't remember the details. Pregnancy brain."

I chuckled. "Fair. Well, I applied for an assistant manager position back then. Never heard back. But today-they called. And they offered me the Director of operations position."

She dropped her fork. "Wait-what?! Director?! At Beta?!"

"At The Beta Hotel."

"Paige... are you serious right now?! That place is legendary. Prestigious. The salary must be insane."

I nodded slowly. "They offered me $550,000 a year"

Her eyes almost popped out. "WHAT?!"

I smiled nervously. "Yup."

She clutched her bump. "If you don't take that job, I will personally deliver this baby early just to chase you around."

_____________________