From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 64: A Surprising Coincidence

Riley glanced up at him, and an idea clicked into place.

Since he was living in the same building now, it couldn't have worked out better. They'd have plenty to talk about going forward, and being next-door neighbors beat having to arrange meet-ups across town every other day.

With that in mind, she fished her keys out of her purse and set them directly onto the sleek, polished coffee table between them.

"I've ordered a bunch of furniture—it's getting delivered over the next few days, but I might not be around to accept it. Would you mind signing for the packages if they show up when I'm out?"

Sebastian's eyes dropped to the keys, then he raised a brow, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips. "You're just handing over your keys like that, Ms. Harper? That much trust in me already?"

His tone was light, teasing.

Riley met his gaze steadily, deflecting easily. "It's not so much about trust as it is necessity.

"We are getting married in a month, after all."

The smile on Sebastian's face tightened for a second before softening into something even more intrigued.

Feeling she'd said what she needed to, Riley knew it was time to go. She stood, ready to make her exit.

At the doorway, she paused and glanced back. "Oh, and thank you for having the kitchen stocked earlier. That was thoughtful.

"Once I'm fully moved in, I'll take you out for a proper dinner."

"Sounds good," Sebastian replied simply.

He didn't let his smile fully spread until after he'd watched her disappear down the hall.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

The screen showed Silas Reynolds—the childhood friend who'd offered him the "brilliant" advice in the first place.

As soon as he picked up, Silas' smug voice came through. "So? Told you it was a solid plan. Moving right next door? Way better than you just moping around waiting for something to happen. Plenty of chances to 'run into each other' now, huh?"

Sebastian chuckled, his mood noticeably brighter. "Not bad. I'll give you this one."

On the other end, Silas could hear the satisfaction in his friend's voice and grew even more curious. "Come on, don't leave me hanging. You still haven't told me who she is—the one who's got you like this. I've known you since we were kids, and I've never seen you give any woman a second glance."

Sebastian kept one hand in his hoodie pocket, his gaze drifting toward the dark window facing the adjacent apartment. The curve of his lips deepened.

"What's the rush?" he replied smoothly. "You'll meet her soon enough."

And before Silas could fire back another question, Sebastian ended the call.

Outside, the city lights glimmered under the night sky, casting his sharp profile in alternating shades of light and shadow.

His eyes seemed to look straight through the wall, landing on the empty unit next door.

The thought that starting tomorrow, that space would slowly fill with her presence—her things, her rhythm, her life—made something in his chest feel unexpectedly light.

Suddenly, every day ahead seemed a lot more interesting.

The next morning, Riley was officially discharged from the hospital.

True to his word, Lucas showed up, waiting at the hospital entrance in a crisp suit, playing the part of the devoted husband to perfection.

To keep him from finding out her real address, Riley had asked Lydia to come along too.

"Just drop me off at Lydia's place, Lucas," Riley said from the passenger seat, her tone casual.

Lucas wasn't thrilled, but given this was what Riley had asked for after everything that went down, he didn't argue. He drove them to Lydia's apartment complex.

Lydia's place was spacious—a well-renovated single-level condo in a quiet neighborhood.

After parking, Lucas insisted on walking them up. He even did a quick walk-through inside, checking the locks and peering around, only relaxing once he'd satisfied himself the place was safe and comfortable.

"Lydia, Riley's still recovering," he said, his concern sounding practiced. "I'm counting on you to look after her."

Lydia leaned against the entryway console, arms crossed, a sharp smile on her face. "Oh, don't you worry, Mr. Ashford. My place is supplement-free—nothing here that'll cause mysterious bleeding. And definitely no unwelcome elements lurking around."

Lucas' expression darkened, irritation flashing in his eyes.

He shot Riley a quick, annoyed look as if to say, Did you have to tell her everything?

Riley pretended not to notice.

Lydia wasn't done. "Well, you're a busy man, Mr. Ashford. We won't keep you any longer."

Being dismissed so bluntly left Lucas visibly stiff, but with someone as blunt and unyielding as Lydia, there wasn't much he could do.

In the end, he left with several lingering, overly tender looks toward Riley before finally heading to his car.

Only once his sedan had vanished from view did Lydia drop her defensive posture. She picked up Riley's small duffel bag and walked with her downstairs—heading not back to her own condo, but toward Riley's actual new apartment a few blocks away.