Paige’s POV
I quietly closed the bedroom door behind me and slipped off my shoes.
“She’s already asleep?” Hailey asked from the bed, closing her diary.
I nodded with a little laugh. “Yup. Knocked out the second I tucked her in.”
Hailey smirked. “How do you even do that?”
I shrugged, giggling. “You forget, babe—I’ve got magic hands.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.” Then her eyes flicked down to her diary. “I still can’t believe you never tease me for writing in this thing every night.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I definitely find it weird. A diary? Every day? Feels like something teenagers do.”
She gave me an unimpressed look. “There’s nothing wrong with having a diary.”
I laughed as I pulled off my clothes. “It’s just... old-school.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she muttered, scribbling one last note before locking it away.
I grabbed an oversized t-shirt from the closet and threw it on. Letting my hair fall loose, I slid under the covers. She was already on her phone.
“I didn’t disturb you, did I?” I asked gently.
She shook her head. “No, I was almost done when you came in.”
I leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth, stealing a moment of attention.
“But aren’t you worried it could get lost?” I asked, referring to the diary.
“Not really,” she said, her tone relaxed. “Even if it did, I’m the only one who can understand it.”
I frowned. “How’s that?”
She smiled a little. “I don’t write in English. Just a mix of shorthand and coded words. What looks like a sentence could actually be a whole paragraph. And sometimes I sketch instead.”
I stared at her, impressed. “You really are something else. That’s actually genius.”
She grinned. “Thanks.”
I scooted closer. “Can you put your phone away now, please?” I asked with a playful pout.
She didn’t hesitate. “Sorry,” she said, locking it and turning to me. Her eyes softened as they searched mine. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” I said, clearing my throat, trying to act normal. I rolled onto my back to avoid her gaze.
“You’re avoiding eye contact,” she said gently. Her hand found my face, tilting it back toward hers. “Paige…”
I hesitated, swallowing the lump in my throat. “What if I tell you something that upsets you?”
Her thumb brushed my cheek. “I promise I won’t be upset. Just tell me.”
I sat up slowly. She did the same, her eyes fixed on mine.
“I got a call on Tuesday. It’s good news… I think. But I’ve been conflicted.”
Her brows drew together. “What kind of call?”
I inhaled deeply. “A job offer. From Beta Hotel.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait—what? Beta Hotel?”
I nodded. “I applied there months ago for an assistant manager position. They rejected me. But now, apparently, their director of operations got fired for sleeping with the waitresses.”
Hailey gasped. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. And now they want me to take over as director.”
She blinked, processing. “Wow. That’s… a lot.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “And this industry is no joke. I once had an old creep offer me a job if I slept with him.”
She made a face. “Ew, what?! Please tell me you shut him down.”
“Hard. I walked away and never looked back.”
She nodded slowly, then her voice softened. “So… are you leaving?”
“I haven’t decided,” I whispered. “They gave me until Sunday.”
“Paige,” she said quietly, “why haven’t you said yes already?”
I looked at her, surprised. “I thought you’d be mad that I’m even considering it.”
“Mad?” She let out a soft laugh. “Why would I ever be mad about that? You’ve worked hard for opportunities like this. And I know being a personal assistant forever isn’t your dream.”
“You… really think I should take it?”
“I know you should. Don’t let fear hold you back.”
I stared at her, completely taken aback. “Are you real?”
She giggled. “Last I checked.”
I threw my arms around her. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Paige,” she whispered, holding me tight.
We pulled apart, and I smiled. “Oh, and… they’re giving me a new place too. A penthouse.”
Her jaw dropped. “No way! That’s incredible! Can I decorate it?”
“Hailey…” I warned.
She laughed. “What? I’ll call my designer. You’re not stopping me.”
“You don’t need to spend that kind of money on me.”
“I want to. It’s my gift.”
I gave her a look. “You remember I’ve seen your office bills, right? That designer of yours charged you a fortune.”
She rolled her eyes. “And? I’m a billionaire. A few hundred thousand won’t kill me.”
I groaned. “You’re ridiculous.”
She grinned. “Want to see something crazier?”
Before I could answer, she got up and disappeared into the closet. When she returned, she was holding a sleek black box.
She sat down, opened it, and revealed a pair of stunning diamond earrings that sparkled like stars.
“These cost me 2.5 million dollars,” she said casually.
My mouth dropped. “WHAT?!”
She laughed. “I bought them in Korea. Only wear them for red carpet events.”
“I would’ve bought a house,” I muttered, still staring at the diamonds.
She giggled. “This house was left to me by Xavier. It’s worth around 14 million.”
I blinked. “What kind of life are you living?”
She climbed back into bed and snuggled against me. “A crazy one. But now it’s ours.”
I smiled and kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she murmured sleepily.
“For supporting me. For believing in me. For offering to furnish my place.”
She looked up at me. “Paige… you’ve brought joy and peace into my life. You’ve helped me heal. You love me, love my kids, and have never once made me feel like I’m too much. I’m a better woman because of you. I mean it when I say—you deserve the world.”
I blushed, overwhelmed. “Funny, I was just thinking the same about you.”
She grinned. “You always underestimate yourself. But don’t worry—I find it cute.”
I laughed, holding her a little tighter.
And in that moment, with her in my arms, I felt like I’d already found everything I was ever looking for.
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YOU ARE READING
The Billionaire's Widow
RomanceHailey Anders After the death of her husband, the only thing that can keep Hailey going are her two little kids. They remind her that he still lives in them. Together with the company he left for her. Paige Carson Fresh out of college with impressi...
