The Billionaire's Widow

69

I stared at the couple in front of me, still trying to process what they had just said. “Wait… did you say a house?” I asked slowly.

They both nodded.

“It’s in New York,” Dom said. “Tribeca, actually. It’s already furnished, but if it’s not your style, we can have it redone.”

I blinked, completely thrown off. “Hold on. You’re telling me… you bought me a house?”

“Yes,” Kiara confirmed, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

My eyes widened. “That’s… that’s a lot. Like—people get wine or maybe a nice gift basket. Not real estate.”

Dom chuckled. “Yeah, but this isn’t just a ‘thanks for everything’ gift. It’s more than that.”

“Exactly,” Kiara added. “You saved Allison, Paige. You didn’t just help a stranger—you helped family.”

Hailey stepped forward and touched my arm. “Allison isn’t just any kid. She’s my niece. Tony and Karen’s granddaughter. Kiara’s daughter. Dominic’s only child. You stepped in and risked everything to protect her. We can’t even put a price on what that means to us.”

I looked down at the box in my hand, the keys still glinting under the lights. “I don’t even know what to say. This is... overwhelming.”

“That’s okay,” Kiara said softly. “You’re part of our family now. You’ll get used to the craziness eventually.”

I let out a breathy laugh and shook my head. “I mean… a house, though?”

They both smiled.

“What’s a house when you’ve got a family that practically owns half the city?” Kiara joked lightly.

My eyes flicked between them. That part wasn’t even an exaggeration—and that was what made it all feel so surreal.

“I just…” I paused, trying to find the right words. “Thank you. Really. This is too much, but… thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” they said in unison.

“Congratulations on your new home, babe,” Hailey whispered, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

I looked down at the keys again, still stunned. “So… Tribeca?” I finally asked.

“Yep,” Kiara confirmed. “It’s quiet, safe, and close enough to everything you need. Plus, good security.”

“Sounds perfect,” Hailey said.

I nodded, still caught between disbelief and gratitude. “I’m twenty-three. I never thought I’d own a house this soon…”

Hailey smiled. “I got my place when I was twenty-one, remember?”

Kiara added, “Yeah, my brother married her when she was twenty-one. A month later, he passed. Left everything to her.”

I nodded slowly. I already knew the story. I knew why Hailey made the choices she did—especially when it came to marriage. She told me the full story a while back.

Flashback

“I still don’t get it,” I said. “You married Xavier at twenty-one?”

Hailey gave me a soft smile. “His health was getting worse. After my twenty-first birthday, I found a notebook in his room with a wish list he made.”

“A wish list?”

She nodded. “All of it was crossed off—except two things: get married and have kids. So we got married. And for a little while, he felt better. We traveled. We lived. I hoped I’d get pregnant, but…” Her voice softened. “He died before I found out.”

End of Flashback

I gently closed the box holding the keys.

“We have to throw you a housewarming party once you settle in,” Hailey said excitedly.

I gave her a skeptical look. “Is that really necessary?”

“Completely,” Kiara jumped in. “It’s tradition.”

“I don’t want you going out of your way for a party,” I said quickly. “You already did this.”

Kiara waved her hand. “Trust me, Paige, this is nothing. We like doing this. Let us celebrate you.”

I glanced at Hailey, who laughed. “Baby, you’re not going to win this one.”

I sighed in defeat. “One small party please.”

They all lit up.

“Oh my God, I already have a dozen ideas,” Kiara squealed ignoring the "small" part.

I laughed, shaking my head. “What did I just agree to?”

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