Page 30 of Marrying a Billionaire

“And then I slowly fell in love with you so when I found out I needed to marry, I knew you were the girl for me. I raced across the ocean to get you and bring you back.” There was a hunger to his gaze that scared and excited her.

She broke his gaze. None of this was real. She never studied anything in Europe and Reed never suddenly decided that he loved her and raced to win her over. The marriage wasn’t real and neither were any feelings they might have for each other.

“Perfect. It explains my absence and your sudden engagement.” Feeling satisfied with their story, Lillian climbed the stairs to the house.

She didn’t pay attention to whether Reed followed her. Right now, the more distance she put between them, the better. When she got to the back door, she hesitated. Reed appeared next to her and reached out, grabbing the handle and turning it.

He pushed open the door and extended his hand for Lillian to follow. After Reed introduced her to a woman named Clarissa, who was his grandfather’s assistant, he led her up a grand staircase in the middle of the house and down a hall lined with doors. She watched as he paused just outside the last door. A look of unease spread across his face.

He was nervous. Why was he nervous? Should she be nervous, too?

Deciding not to dwell on the unknown, Lillian met his gaze and gave him a smile. “It’ll be okay. I can pull this off. You’ll be single and CEO of Williamson Investments before you know it.”

His gaze lingered on hers. he nodded and opened the door.

A clicking sound filled the silence as she followed Reed into the room. A giant, four-posted bed sat in the center of the room. Machines with blinking lights surrounded the bed. Lillian’s gaze fell on a thin man who was lying on top of a mound of pillows. His grey hair was combed over, and his skin was thin and pale.

He opened his eyes and when his gaze landed on Reed, he smiled.

“Reed, you came to visit me,” he said.

Reed swallowed and nodded, approaching the bed.

Not sure what to do, Lillian hung back, keeping to the shadows.

As if he suddenly realized that she was no longer next to him, Reed scanned the room. When his gaze fell on her, he motioned for her to come closer.

She shook her head for a moment, but when she saw the pleading in his gaze, she moved until she was standing a few feet away. Reed reached over, grabbed her hand, and brought her closer.

“Who did you bring with you?” his grandfather asked. His tired gaze swept over Lillian and then back to Reed.

“Grandpa, this is Lillian Brunette.” He lifted her left hand and showed the ring on her fourth finger. “We’re engaged.”

Mr. Williamson’s eyebrows rose as he studied Reed. “Engaged? I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

Reed nodded and told his grandfather the exact story that they had perfected outside. Mr. Williamson listened but his expression never changed. Did he believe it? Would they actually be able to pull this off?

After Reed finished, Mr. Williamson turned his attention over to Lillian. “Reed, leave us.”

Lillian’s heart picked up speed as she involuntarily held tighter to his hand. There was no way she wanted to be left alone. What if she said something stupid and ruined Reed’s chances? This was way too much pressure to put on her.

“I—um, is it okay?” Reed glanced down at her. She could see his internal struggle.

Holding her breath, Lillian calmed her nerves and nodded. “Of course.”

Reed gave her hand one more squeeze and made his way out the door which he shut behind him.

Now alone, Lillian suddenly realized how large this bedroom was. Solid oak floors with matching trim caused this room to be dark and intimidating. She hugged her chest as she turned to see Mr. Williamson studying her.

“So, Lillian, my grandson says you’ve been dating for a few months?”

Lillian swallowed and nodded. “Yes,” she squeaked out. She cleared her throat and tried again. “That’s right. We met, and then I went to Europe.” Ugh, why did her answers seem so robotic? What was wrong with her? She needed to get a grip, or she was going to tip off Reed’s grandfather.

“What part?”

Lillian’s mind felt muddled. “Excuse me?”

Mr. Williamson shifted on the bed, pushing himself up higher. “What part of Europe were you staying in?”

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