Page 93 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
“He likes to eat,” Winston remarked. “Must take after his—”
He cut himself off, and I wondered once more whether he realized that Ares was an Ashford. Or maybe, just like his father, he’d never accept us—Billie, Ares, and I—as part of the family. It was clear Senator Ashford had different plans for his son and preferred he married someone of a similar caliber.
Winston stood up abruptly, his eyes finding Billie. Dark midnight, shimmering like the deepest oceans.
He left without another word, while something in my chest twisted. Old wounds opened. Old words his father and that woman threw in my face came rushing back, but I steeled my spine. None of it mattered. Nobody mattered to me but my son and my sister. They were my entire world.
* * *
After breakfast, we attempted to make our way back to the bedroom. Ares ran left and right, eager to see it all. Eager to touch it all. The manor was large, with four wings, a family hall, a large library, and the grand marble foyer that could easily house fifty people. Why Byron would ever need a place so large was beyond me!
Billie sighed. “I can’t stay here.”
We were in the grand foyer, obviously lost on our way through the large mansion. At least we always ended up in the grand lobby instead of some scary dungeon.
I tilted my head, watching her. She had been with me through thick and thin. Yes, she fucked up stealing those diamonds, but she was the reason I was able to keep my son and finish medical school. My sister was the reason that my residency and year in Ghana were possible.
“Tell me what you need.”
She sighed. “That’s it? You’re not going to scold me?”
“You never scolded me,” I pointed out. “You stood by me, no matter what. If you want to talk about you and Winston, I’ll listen. If you don’t, I won’t ask you questions. Just know that I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
She stepped back. “You mean it?”
I smiled, nodding my head. “It’s time for you to shine and thrive, just the way I always knew you would. My big sister is the best.”
It was the truth, and I needed her to see it.
Billie gulped, shaking her head. “I’ve always wondered whether you’re the older one.”
I grinned. “We’re only a year apart. That’s not that much older. You were always the more fun one. Now, I want to see you do everything you’ve wanted. Your bucket list.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes. “How do you know about my bucket list?”
A chuckle filled the grand foyer. Mine. For the first time in months, I could chuckle. There were different worries plaguing me now, sure. But in the grand scheme of things, they didn’t compare to the life-and-death shit of the past six months.
I had Byron to thank for that.
“I saw you typing into it,” I admitted. “Now, tell me what you need so I can ensure you can start checking things off from it.” Ares started climbing the stairs, and I tugged her along. “When are you leaving?”
“The sooner, the better.” I nodded.
“I’ll miss you,” I admitted softly. “But I know you have to do this. I’m just sorry I can’t go with you.”
Billie eyed me curiously. “Will you and Ares be okay? I’m worried.”
I gave her my most confident smile. “The two of us will be okay. I promise.”
She glanced around us to ensure the coast was clear before she whispered, “Do you think Byron knows abouthim?”
Sometimes I wondered, but he hadn’t called me out on it. Byron was many things, but he didn’t shy away from conflict.
“I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”
She shrugged. “It just seems odd that Winston isn’t bringing up what happened in New Orleans and the fact I knocked him out cold.”
It was odd. “Maybe he was drunk that day in New Orleans,” I suggested.
