Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Raised by Leah from a young age, she was taught all about discipline and the so-called proper way a girl should be. Dance lessons, music, art-being the picture of grace and a fine upbringing. She ticked all those boxes, but deep down, she just didn't fit the mold.

She craved freedom, hated the chains of societal expectations. Anything new and exciting drew her in, including a few passions that Leah frowned upon. Take Taekwondo, for instance. When her mentor showed up, he'd drag her out of bed in the dead of night for practice.

She'd put on a show of being bothered, but secretly, she loved every minute of it.

And then there was her fondness for a good drink-she could hold her own in that department, much like Ruby. One night, the two of them were having a blast in the wine cellar when Neil stumbled upon them. Ruby's eyes gave away a flicker of guilt the second she laid eyes on him.

Neil marched over, his face a canvas of brewing anger. "Adrian, sneaking drinks again? What did the doctor say about your health..." He bit his tongue as Connor, Kash, and Isaac walked in. There were things better left unsaid in front of others.

Ruby stood up, looking every bit the kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. She shot a glance at Chloe. "It was Chloe's idea to drink."

Chloe just stood there, speechless.

Ruby winked at Chloe, her eyes begging for backup. Chloe sighed, stood up, and placed her bottle back on the rack, brushing imaginary dust off her pants. "Godfather, I'm sorry, it was all my idea."

Ruby discreetly gave Chloe a thumbs-up, and Chloe flashed Neil an awkward smile. Neil knew his wife too well to be fooled, but all he could do was let out a weary sigh.

Neil turned to Ruby, "Just this once, okay?"

Ruby quickly nodded, "Won't happen again, promise."

It was late, and Chloe and Connor

finally called it a night. Driving along the mountain road under the arching maples, Chloe felt a wave of

nostalgia and a hint of somethinets

else. She loved maples. Her

childhood yard had one, and she'd spent countless hours climbing it, perched up high, feeling the world at her feet.

Leah hadn't approved-climbing trees wasn't ladylike, she said. Eventually, the tree was cut down, leaving Chloe to mourn as if she'd lost a lifelong friend. So, when she saw that maple and the treehouse in Connor's yard last time, it was like finding a piece of herself again.

Now, as they drove through the tunnel of trees, it felt like she was being reunited with an old friend. An unexpected warmth bubbled up inside her.

Connor glanced at her now and then. "Sorry for being late today."

If he'd shown up earlier, Lisa wouldn't have had the chance to stir the pot so much. Chloe just smiled at him. "Honestly, today was perfect."

For Chloe, the night had been

nothing short of magical. Lisa's antics didn't bother her anymore. Meeting her lifelong idol and feeling an instant connection with the entire Shaw family was enough to make everything else fade away