Page 147 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
“Okay, I have to admit. I didn’t expect papers,” I muttered as I opened the folder. I started to read the words. English. French.
My mouth parted as I stared at the documents in my hand with disbelief.
Time simply suspended as letters and words danced in front of me. The deed to the Swan Hospital and license to resume operations of Dad’s old business.
Raising my eyes, I met my husband’s gaze. Shimmering with love and affection. It had been there all along, but people like his father and Marco got in the way. They’d robbed us of six years, but now, we were stronger. Nobody would dare get between us again.
Love, happiness, and so many other beautiful emotions twisted together, bouncing within my chest.
“I don’t know what to say,” I breathed, my voice trembling.
“Thank you and I love you?” His tone was playful, but the emotions on his face had my heart clenching. He was worried. “It was the reason I asked you not to take up the job at George Washington Hospital.”
I blinked in confusion. “But how are we going to do this? You here and us over there?”
“Is that what you want?”
I shook my head. “No, I want us to be together, like a family should be. But I know your entire life is here. You have your empire and—” I was rambling, unsure of what he pictured for our future. Was he willing to have us all living separately? Did he want that?
“I can do my job from anywhere in the world,” he stated. “I intend to spend every day with you for the rest of my life. I want to build a life where you and our children are happy.”
“But I want you to be happy too.”
“I will be,” he stated with conviction. “As long as I’m with you.Youare my home.” God, it was terrifying to be so happy? To love so much? “I want to raise a family. My dream is to spend more time with my son.” He paused for a moment, his gaze full of love and devotion. Byron—unlike his own—was an amazing father. A wonderful family man. “I hope we have more children. Heck, I’m all for being a stay-at-home dad to support your career.”
I shot to my feet and made my way to him, sitting on his lap.
“Nothing would make me happier, husband,” I rasped, my nose brushing against his. “Yes to more kids. Yes to you and me, together, every day. Yes to us moving to the French Riviera. But no to one thing.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Can you elaborate on that?”
“I want to work at the hospital and manage that side of the affairs, but I don't want to run the hospital’s finances and business dealings.” I smiled sheepishly. “I’m bad at anything business-related.” I skimmed my lips over my husband’s neck. “And you’re so good at it. I’d pay you. Every night, on my knees.” I waggled my eyebrows.
Byron’s body shook as he tried to hold back his laughter. “Then we’ve got ourselves a deal, baby. We’re moving to the French Riviera.”
Epilogue-One
Odette
Three Months Later
It was a month since we’d moved full-time to the French Riviera.
Byron insisted he could run his empire from anywhere in the world. And if there was a presence needed, he’d get his brothers to step in. I didn’t argue. Washington was never my end goal nor my scene.
Slowly, with a lot of work and help, the Swan Hospital was back to its former glory. I passed the hallway leading toward exam room number five and my steps faltered. It happened every time I passed the painting. It brought bittersweet memories, but I’d never remove it.
The golden plate under the portrait called out, “In memory of the great work of Dr. Swan.”
I brought my hands to my chest. It was the same image that my father had held in his hands when he died. The four of us in front of this hospital, happy and smiling for the camera.
It was a good memory. I chose to remember that, not the way he left us.
My gaze flicked to the painting next to it and my lips curved into a soft smile. It was our life today—a painting of Byron, Ares, and me on his yacht. We had to compromise. He’d move to the French Riviera, but he didn’t want to live in our old two-bedroom stone home.
When I asked why not, his response was, “I plan on having many little Madelines and Byrons. We need at least five bedrooms.”
I rubbed my flat belly. It turned out, Byron would get his wish. We lived on the yacht while searching for that perfect home. Ares was beside himself. Whenever we asked him, he insisted we could stay living on the yacht forever.
