Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover by Rosa Winters

Chapter 1014

Connor stood on the upstairs balcony, watching everything play out below.

He saw the way Chloe's face softened with relief when she checked her phone. That smile-so small, but so real-made something twist painfully in his chest.

She was worried about Lucas.

And being here alone with Connor seemed to put her on edge. She trusted Lucas, that much was obvious.

With a heavy sigh, Connor slipped back inside. Eventually, he picked up his phone and called Teddy. Lucas had said he'd be home tonight, but Chloe didn't seem sure when exactly that would be.

As evening settled in, Connor found himself wandering into the kitchen again. Honestly, letting a guest do the cooking was kind of ridiculous, but with Chloe's cooking skills being what they were, it was either this or takeout. The kids, at least, were thrilled.

Dinner was Chinese again, but way more impressive than lunch. The table was loaded: steaming dumplings, stir-fried veggies, braised pork, fragrant rice, and a big bowl of soup.

During dinner, Connor did his best to keep the conversation moving-anything to keep things from getting awkward. He chatted about travel, funny childhood stories, even asked for opinions on the best dessert. The tension between them faded, replaced by easy laughter and a light, comfortable vibe.

He was back to being Mr. Connor: polite, charming, and somehow always knowing just what to say.

seemed to know a little bit about everything,

asked with a curious smile, "what made you want to open a

back. "I love different scents. Every flower smells unique, and

memory loss, her old hobbies hadn't

actually have a book at home—old recipes for incense and potpourri. If you're interested, I'd love

interested, and she'd just started experimenting with her

would be amazing, Mr.

knock echoed from

right away. She guessed it

and pulled the

he wasn't alone. There were new bruises on his

to your

hand and tugged her inside. "We have to go.

as soon as he stepped into the living room, he froze.

up, moving