Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Connor turned to look at Chloe, catching a glimpse of worry and warmth in her eyes. Without a second thought, he leaned over from his chair and kissed her deeply, cradling her face in his hands as he gazed into her eyes.

"I don't want you to feel any burden because of any decisions you've made," Connor said, his voice earnest and sincere. "I've never lost anything because of you. In fact, meeting you has been a constant blessing."

Chloe met his eyes, which were deep and vast like the night ocean, sparkling with stars, as if they held a magic that could draw her in completely. She was so captivated that she momentarily forgot to breathe, taking a moment to snap back to reality. She playfully nudged him away. "You're so cheesy," she teased with a grin.

Connor chuckled and settled back into his seat, while Chloe turned away, taking a deep, calming breath and placing a hand over her racing heart. It pounded fiercely, as if it might leap from her chest. Even after three and a half years together, she had never felt her heart race like this from just a look.

Chloe felt a bit frustrated with herself, sensing a vulnerability she hadn't before. Connor noticed the blush on her cheeks and felt a surge of happiness. That evening, they spent hours swapping childhood stories, truly opening up to each other for perhaps the first time. Chloe shared her unresolved feelings of abandonment, her longing for family, her disappointment and hopes regarding her parents, and her journey toward self-acceptance.

Connor spoke of the bullying he

endured as a kid, his complicated feelings toward Claire, and the tough road of studying abroad alone from the age of ten. He opened up about the friends he'd made and the experiences he'd had, laying his life bare for Chloe. However, there was one secret he kept to himself, a hidden wound that continued to fester in his heart, something he might never share with anyone. Sometimes, he wished he hadn't discovered that secret; maybe then, his past wouldn't have been as painful.

As Connor drifted into his thoughts, Chloe sensed a dark void within him, a bottomless pit that seemed impossible to fill. This void allowed him to drop his facade but also caused his emotions to plummet. Yet, she didn't know the cause: She had her own struggles but had made peace with them, sensing that Connor hadn't, despite his outward composure. He carried a deep

wound that constantly bled.

Chloe took Connor's hand. "Stop dwelling on it. You have me now, and whatever happens, I'll be right here with you."

Connor smiled warmly. "If I don't secure the heir position tomorrow, things might get tough."

Chloe shrugged. “So what if you lose everything? If you want to start over, I'll be by your side to rise again. And if you're tired of all the intrigue, we can leave and find somewhere to disappear."

She mused dreamily, "Norway? Finland? Switzerland? Luxembourg? We could find a tiny, unknown village, buy a farm, and live a peaceful, pastoral life. Wouldn't that be blissful?"