The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 128

Aveline

The atmosphere at home had become increasingly toxic over the past week. Ever since our disastrous family dinner, Grandma Eleanor had completely stopped fussing over Vivian's pregnancy—no more special meals, no more concerned inquiries about doctor appointments, no more gentle reminders to rest.

The change was as dramatic as it was telling.

Now, every evening when I came home from work, I could hear raised voices from various parts of the house. Grandma Eleanor defending my character to Richard and Monica. Vivian complaining about being "abandoned" during her "delicate condition." Richard making increasingly desperate demands for financial support.

It was exhausting, and more importantly, it was clearly taking a toll on Grandma Eleanor's health. I'd noticed the tension lines around her eyes, the way her shoulders stayed perpetually hunched with stress.

Something had to change.

"Grandma," I said over breakfast, spreading marmalade on my toast with deliberate casualness, "I've been thinking about something."

She looked up from her morning tea, eyebrows raised with interest. "Oh? What's that, sweetheart?"

"I think it's time we started looking at new housing options. For both of us."

Her cup paused halfway to her lips. "New housing? But this is our home, Aveline. It's been in the family for—"

"Forty-three years, I know," I said gently. "And you have wonderful memories here. But Grandma, you have to admit the place is starting to show its age. The pipes in the upstairs bathroom have been acting up for months, and don't get me started on that damp spot in the basement."

She sighed, looking around the familiar kitchen with obvious affection. "I suppose the house could use some work..."

"More importantly," I continued, taking her hand across the table, "living with them is destroying your peace of mind. You shouldn't have to spend your golden years refereeing family drama and defending yourself in your own home."

Grandma Eleanor squeezed my hand, her eyes growing soft with gratitude. "You're such a good girl, worrying about me like this."

"I was thinking," I said, my voice growing more animated, "what if we looked at some places in Riverside Gardens? You know, that lovely new development with the walking paths and the community center?"

"Riverside Gardens?" Her eyes widened with surprise. "Aveline, that's one of the most exclusive communities in the area. The waiting list alone must be—"

"Let me worry about the details," I interrupted with a smile. "Just say you're willing to look. We could go this weekend, make a little adventure of it."

She stared at me for a long moment, then started laughing—a rich, delighted sound I hadn't heard in weeks.

"You know, nothing you do should surprise me anymore," she said, shaking her head with obvious admiration. "Sometimes I wonder what really happened to you in Europe, what kind of life you built there. But then I think about an eighteen-year-old girl, all alone, making her way through Europe and somehow becoming Dr. Aveline Reeves... and I realize that kind of strength can accomplish anything."

"About that," I said, standing up to rinse my dishes, "when we have more time, I want to tell you the whole story about my years in Europe. The business ventures, the investments, all of it. Just... prepare yourself to be impressed."

"And maybe a little concerned about where all this money is coming from?" she asked with mock sternness.

"Everything perfectly legal, I promise," I laughed, kissing her cheek before grabbing my bag. "Have a peaceful morning, Grandma. Try to ignore the drama."

The drive to Arlington Academy was refreshingly quiet, giving me time to mentally prepare for another day of managing twenty-four energetic five-year-olds. But the moment I walked into the teachers' lounge, I could feel the atmosphere change.

Several of my colleagues were standing around with coffee cups in hand, shooting me looks that were equal parts curiosity and barely concealed envy. Sarah practically pounced on me the moment I appeared.

"Aveline," she said with that sing-song voice people use when they're dying to share gossip, "you have got to see what's waiting in your office."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, though something in their expressions was making my stomach clench with dread.

"Just go look," laughed Jennifer from the kindergarten department. "And then you can tell us all about your secret admirer."

I walked toward my office with growing trepidation, and the moment I stepped through the doorway, I understood their reaction perfectly.

My desk was practically buried under an enormous arrangement of white roses, pink peonies, and baby's breath. Beside the flowers sat an equally impressive collection of gourmet fruit—exotic varieties that probably cost more than most people spent on groceries in a week.

My first thought was pure irritation. *Please don't let this be from my so-called husband.*

But when I picked up the small card nestled among the blooms, my heart sank even further.

*For the woman who brings light to my son's world, and increasingly, to mine. Your kindness is a gift I can never adequately repay. - Orion*

*Oh, for fuck's sake.*

I stared at the card, feeling a mixture of exasperation and confusion wash over me. What was this man's problem? First he'd cornered me at the school pickup with his insufferable confidence, then I'd shut him down with a perfectly reasonable medical explanation, and now... this?

*What the hell is he trying to prove?* I thought, setting the card down with more force than necessary. *Is this some kind of male pride thing? Did being told 'no' somehow trigger his competitive instincts?*

The whole thing reeked of wounded ego and stubborn determination. Like he couldn't accept that a woman had actually refused his advances and was now launching some kind of charm offensive to prove he could win anyone over.

*Typical alpha male behavior,* I concluded. *Can't handle rejection, so he doubles down with grand gestures.*

But even as I tried to dismiss it as some kind of testosterone-driven power play, something about the situation didn't quite add up. The language on the card was too... personal. Too genuine. Not the kind of thing you'd write if you were just trying to prove a point.

*So what does he actually want?* I wondered, staring at the elaborate display. *What's his endgame here?*

"Miss Aveline!" Ryan's cheerful voice interrupted my brooding as he appeared in my office doorway. "Wow! Someone really likes you!"

Several other teachers had gathered behind him, clearly drawn by the spectacle.

"Who's the lucky man?" asked Sarah, her eyes sparkling with barely contained gossip.

I felt heat creep up my neck. "It's not... it's complicated," I managed. "Ryan, tell everyone who sent these flowers."

Ryan looked up at me with innocent confusion. "My daddy sent them! He wanted to thank you for being such a good teacher!"

*Of course he'd involve his son in this,* I thought with growing irritation. *What am I supposed to say now?*

"See?" I said to the assembled audience, though my voice sounded strained even to my own ears. "Professional appreciation. Very... generous professional appreciation."

Ryan tilted his head thoughtfully. "Well, maybe a little more than that. He did say he was hoping you'd say yes to something."

My stomach dropped. "Say yes to what?"

"Our weekend adventure!" Ryan announced with six-year-old enthusiasm. "Daddy wants to take us somewhere fun this weekend. He said since I was so mature about Miss Sera maybe not visiting anymore, I deserved a special reward."

I blinked, certain I'd misheard. "Miss Sera isn't visiting anymore?"

"Nope!" Ryan said cheerfully. "Daddy explained that she's a grown-up now with her own responsibilities. I was a little sad at first, but then I remembered what you taught me about people coming into our lives for different amounts of time."

*He cut ties with Sera?* The information hit me like a physical blow. *The young, beautiful, perfectly eligible Sera who clearly adored him?*

This was... unexpected. And confusing. And definitely not fitting into my theory about wounded male pride.

*What the hell is going on?* I thought, feeling completely off-balance. *First the flowers, now this? What is he playing at?*

"So will you come with us?" Ryan continued, oblivious to my internal crisis. "Daddy seemed really excited when he suggested it. He got this funny smile, like when he's planning a surprise."

I looked down at Ryan's expectant face, those dark eyes so much like his father's, and felt completely lost. Nothing about this situation made sense. Orion's behavior, his motives, his sudden single-minded focus on... me.

*One night,* I reminded myself desperately. *It was one night. People don't... they don't reorganize their entire love life based on one encounter. Do they?*

"Miss Aveline?" Ryan prompted, tugging gently on my sleeve. "You look confused. Are you okay?"

I was about to attempt some kind of response when a familiar voice cut through our conversation.

"Oh, don't keep the poor child in suspense," came a voice from the doorway, dripping with barely concealed venom. "Just say yes already."