Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

"They know about us. Connor's been suspicious of you for ages, and there's no way they'll ever believe me."

"I heard Teddy's asked you to marry him six times in the last two years. Maybe it's time you said yes."

Maddie went quiet, staring off into the distance.

Then, out of nowhere, she said, "I just can't keep lying to that idiot anymore."

Grant spun his wheelchair around to face her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She looked him dead in the eyes. "Grant, do you ever feel like any of this is worth it?"

Maddie let out a bitter little laugh. "Have you ever been happy? Like, actually happy? Have you ever really laughed? Has there ever been a moment where the world felt warm or good to you?"

Grant suddenly snapped. "Maddie, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"I don't want to live like this anymore. Maybe my life doesn't matter, but just for one minute, I want to live for myself."

"So you'd rather risk everything just because you don't want to lie to Teddy?"

Grant's mouth twisted into a rare sneer. "If it were about Connor, I'd get it. But Teddy? He's just Connor's lapdog."

"At least a lapdog's better than you."

Furious, Grant shoved himself out of his chair and stalked toward her, grabbing Maddie by the throat. "Say that again."

There was no fear on Maddie's face, just a slight, knowing smile. "I knew you were faking it. Your legs healed a long time ago."

"Why keep up the act, Grant? Because you can't find Chloe? Because you're punishing yourself? You love her so much you're tearing yourself apart, but you hurt her more than anyone. You're just like Lucas-violent, selfish, a coward." Grant's grip tightened. In the darkness, Maddie's face went pale, but she still looked at him with that same mocking expression.

But finally, Grant let her go.

Maddie staggered back, coughing and clutching her throat.

Grant turned his back on her. "Get out. Don't let me see you again."

Maddie hesitated, surprised. She hadn't expected Grant to let her walk away, not after seeing him like that.

She headed for the door, pausing as she gripped the frame and looked back.

"Grant, life's so short. Don't you want, just once, to stand in the sunlight and live like you mean it?"

"Amelia, you have choices. I don't. I've got too much to carry."

After she left, Maddie called Teddy.

By the time she stepped out of the Queen building, Teddy's car was already waiting for her out front.

He hopped out to open her door.

"How'd you get here so fast?" Maddie asked.

Teddy grinned. "I wait for you after work every day."

Maddie couldn't help but smirk. "You really don't have to, you know."

Teddy just shrugged, smiling at her like always. "I want to. Seeing you every day makes me happy."

He leaned in to buckle her seatbelt

he could, Maddie grabbed

his before

his face and kissed him straigh

the lips. ;

Teddy froze, totally caught off guard.

For two years, he'd chased after Amelia, proposed six times, and

on

shot down-hard-every time never gave up.

Now, that sudden kiss left him completely flustered.

he

He pushed her away, bewildered. "What's gotten into you today?"

Maddie broke into laughter, leaning back and giggling so hard she could barely breathe.

“Teddy, you used to be such a player

when you were trying to win menoveldrama

in

over. When did you get so shy? Don't tell me you've forgotten how to kiss?"

ZUMS