Page 45 of Marrying a Billionaire

Reed scrolled down. There had already been over a half a million views of this YouTube video and it had only been live for just under an hour. That was enough time for the reporters to arrive.

Reed shoved Jackson’s phone into his hand and walked over to the windows. Luckily, his room faced the front of the house. Pulling back the drapes, he saw that the front of the estate was lined with reporters. Apparently, the popularity of the view brought the attention of every major newscaster in the state.

Reed swore under his breath. Who had said anything? This wasn’t the small wedding he’d wanted. The last thing he needed was a huge story that mucked up his plans.

He grabbed his tuxedo coat and headed out of the room. There was no time like the present to speed up this wedding. As long as his grandfather witnessed the contract being fulfilled, then he should be in the clear. He’d get the company, and everything would finally be right in the world.

Well, almost right. Without Lillian, Reed was beginning to think that his life was never going to be complete. Then the thought that they’d be married entered his mind. If she didn’t love him now, he’d make a point of getting her to fall in love with him eventually.

Lillian had filled his mind and taken a hold of his heart. She was everything to him. No other women had trusted him so completely like she did. She was honest and kind. He’d never felt as if she’d been after him for his money. She was genuine, and he couldn’t wait to spend more time with her.

He stood outside the room that the ladies were getting ready in. He swallowed as he raised his hand to knock.

After a few seconds, Cassie appeared in a baby pink chiffon dress. Her hair had been pulled up. She looked amazing.

“Wow, Cas. You clean up nice.”

She feigned a modest expression that morphed into a smile. “I know,” she said.

He studied her. “Is Lillian ready?”

She shot him an excited look. “Yes,” she said as she pushed the door open to reveal Lillian standing there.

Reed’s heart picked up speed. It felt as if it was going to leap from his chest. There had been very few times when he’d felt stunned speechless and this was one of them. He parted his lips to say something, but nothing came out.

Lillian’s eyebrows rose.

“You look amazing,” he said. The white lace contrasted against her skin. Her red hair had been curled and fell over her shoulders. The words that he was trying to form in his mind paled in comparison to how she actually looked.

“Thanks,” she said. Then she reached down and pressed on her stomach.

Reed wondered if it was her nerves that made her look flushed.

Suddenly, she wavered, tipping to the side. Reed stepped forward, catching her before she collapsed onto the ground. Worry raced threw him. Scooping her legs up, he held her to his chest.

“Are you okay?” he asked, glancing down at her.

She swallowed and nodded as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I think I just need to lie down for a minute.”

Reed walked her over to the bed and laid her on it. Tamara was right behind him and waved him away.

“Give her some space,” she commanded.

Not wanting to leave her side, but also not wanting to overwhelm her, Reed listened to his grandfather’s nurse who had come into the room and stepped out of the way.

After Lillian’s vitals were taken, Tamara instructed him to get her a glass of water. Reed started to protest, but from the expression on Tamara’s face, he just pinched his lips together and made his way out of the room.

Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, his mother appeared. She was wearing a dark purple sequin dress and an expectant look.

“Well, where is she?” she asked.

Reed shot her a look. Nothing was more important than making sure Lillian was okay. Not the company, not the money. Something was wrong with her. He could feel it and he wasn’t going to let his mother pressure Lillian into walking down the aisle to just please her.

“Not now, Mother.” He walked past her and into the kitchen where he grabbed a few bottles of water from the fridge.

His mother was hot on his heels. “Did you see the reporters?” she asked, walking over to the windows and peering out.

Reed scoffed. “You act so surprised. Weren’t you the one who called them?”

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