The Billionaire's Widow

62

Kim’s POV

"Good morning." I looked up from my phone and saw a familiar face. I smiled softly.

"It's nice to see you back with us again, Mrs. Hall," Christine, the chief maid, greeted warmly. She wasn’t just staff—Christine was like a second mom to Logan. Humble, wise, and always gently involved in everyone’s business in the kindest way.

I giggled. "What happened to you calling me Kim?"

She gave me a teasing smile. "If you came back to this house after the way you left, I’m convinced you and Mr. Hall are working things out."

"You know everything about Logan and me, Christine," I said, sighing. "You know this marriage wasn’t out of love. I only agreed to marry him to pay off my father’s debt. That’s why we kept it hidden—because we both knew it wouldn’t last. So tell me, what good could ever come out of that?"

Christine chuckled softly. “Sweetie, every love story is different. They all start somewhere.”

"Love?" I laughed dryly. "We can’t even stand each other."

We walked together toward the poolside, her presence grounding me.

"Kimberly, I’ve known Logan since he was a child. I know when he likes someone. And trust me, he likes you."

"Please stop with the jokes, Christine," I said, shaking my head. "How can he like someone who does nothing but push his buttons?"

"Why do you think he lets you push them?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Because he’s scared of losing the company if we divorce?"

She chuckled again. “The will said he had to marry to inherit—not that he needs to stay married to keep running it. He’s already in charge.”

I blinked, slightly taken aback. She was right.

"Then I don’t know. All I know is, in two months, I’ll finally be free. I can leave this house, this city, and maybe... start over somewhere far from here." I looked out over the water, lost in thought.

Away from Paige.

Maybe distance would help me forget. That chapter was closed, and I had to stop reopening it.

"Why two months?" Christine asked, curious.

"He asked for two months to prove he could be better. That he could change."

She smiled warmly. “See? He’s trying.”

I rolled my eyes. "Christine, don’t let your hope cloud reality. This marriage—our whole situation—is toxic. Living under the same roof again? It’s just a disaster waiting to happen."

She sighed, but her voice remained gentle. "Kimberly, at least give it a genuine try. If not for him, then for yourself. For your conscience."

"My conscience?" I echoed.

"Yes. So that no matter what happens, you’ll know you tried. That you didn’t just run. That you gave it a real chance."

I looked down at my hands. She was right—but that didn’t make it easier. Every time I thought of Logan, I felt like a prisoner trapped in an agreement, not a marriage.

"And besides," she added, "it’s just two months."

I exhaled slowly. "I don’t know, Christine... but I’ll think about it. I promise."

"That’s all I ask." She gave me a warm hug. "Now, I need to get back to work."

I watched her walk away, her words lingering long after she was gone.

Hailey’s POV

"Hailey!" I jumped as Brooke's voice broke through my thoughts.

"You okay?" she asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I’m fine." I lied. My head was pounding from a hangover, and food was the last thing I wanted. I’d spent last night drinking myself to sleep with a movie playing in the background, hoping to numb everything.

"You sure?" she pressed.

I gave a small nod.

"I haven’t seen Paige in almost a week. Is everything alright between you two?"

"We’re fine," I said, pushing my fork through the food. "She’s just been busy." Another lie.

Brooke raised an eyebrow. "Okay, something is definitely up. Spill."

I hesitated, then sighed. "You haven’t seen the pictures of her having lunch with another woman, have you?"

"Oh, I’ve seen them," she replied casually. "Nosy coworkers showed me."

I stared at her, stunned by her calmness. "Wait—what? And you’re not freaking out?"

"What’s there to freak out about?" she asked. "They weren’t kissing. It was just lunch."

I rolled my eyes. Somehow, her calmness made me feel ridiculous.

"She says she doesn’t know the woman, but the pictures seem... different. I don’t know what to believe."

"Hailey, stop," Brooke said firmly. "This is Paige we’re talking about. She’s never given you a reason to doubt her. Why would she start now?"

"I don’t know what to think anymore," I admitted, pushing my plate away in frustration.

"Look at me," she said, reaching across the table. I did. "You trust me, right?" I nodded. "You know I’d never lie to you?" Another nod. "Then listen—don’t let these pictures ruin what you have. They were taken to stir drama. Don’t give them that power. You and Paige have something real. Don’t throw it away over a few photos and your own doubts."

Her words sank deep into my chest.

I thought about the picture again. Maybe Paige was just politely dismissing the woman, and it got twisted into something else. I’d always been careful not to smile too easily at strangers. Now I remembered why.

"I feel like such a terrible girlfriend," I whispered. "I can’t believe I was so mad over nothing."

Brooke gave me a reassuring smile. "You’re not terrible. You’re human. But now it’s time to talk to her. Go make it right."

I nodded, heart already racing.

Paige’s POV

Unlike my old apartment, this one had a proper door. People could actually knock instead of pounding like the police.

Today, the knock was gentle—but it still startled me. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Jason was out with his girlfriend, and I was bundled on the couch catching up on my favorite shows.

I dragged myself to the door, yawning as I opened it.

And froze.

Hailey.

Even with the huge sunglasses and hoodie pulled low, I knew it was her. I could spot those eyes anywhere. Warm, familiar, and dangerous all at once.

I stared at her like an idiot—like I hadn’t seen a beautiful woman before.

She looked back at me, eyes searching mine.

I missed her.

God, I missed her. Her presence, her scent, her laugh. I missed her arms around me. Her voice. The softness of her lips. The warmth she brought into every room—and into my life.

Without a word, I stepped aside and opened the door wider.

She walked in.

And just like that, everything felt lighter.

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