The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 139

Aveline

I stepped out into the hallway just as Ryan came bounding around the corner, his sneakers still damp and his jeans rolled up to his knees. Behind him, Grandma Eleanor appeared more slowly, leaning on her walking stick but with her eyes bright and animated from their lake adventure.

"Oh, Miss Aveline! There you are!" Ryan announced, practically vibrating with excitement. "I found so many beautiful stones by the lake! Look, look!"

He dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of smooth, perfectly flat stones that gleamed like polished gems in the hallway light. Some were deep charcoal gray with silver veins running through them, others were creamy white with speckles of gold, and one was an unusual pale blue that seemed to shimmer in his small palm.

I crouched down to examine his treasures, genuinely charmed despite the nervous energy still thrumming through my veins. "What a collection! You really hit the jackpot today, didn't you?"

Ryan beamed and suddenly threw his arms around my waist in an enthusiastic hug. "I want to give you one! Can you sleep with me tonight? Please?"

I laughed softly, gently smoothing his hair. "Ryan, sweetheart, you're becoming such a big boy. Big boys sleep independently in their own rooms, remember?"

Then I heard footsteps behind me, and my heart rate immediately spiked. I turned to see Orion emerging from the same room I'd just left, his hair still slightly mussed but his expression completely composed—no trace of panic or embarrassment, just that controlled neutrality I was beginning to recognize.

"Your teacher has her grandmother to keep company," he said smoothly, his voice measured and calm. "She can't sleep with you, Ryan."

Ryan's eyes widened with innocent curiosity, his gaze bouncing between us with that unnervingly perceptive expression. "Oh! Daddy, you were in that room too? Were you both playing in the same room?"

I caught the flash of awkwardness that crossed Orion's face, though he quickly masked it. "We were discussing... your..." He paused, seeming to struggle for the right words. "Um, your educational progress."

I had to bite back a laugh at the ridiculous euphemism, but when our eyes met, his gaze was distant, almost cold—completely at odds with the man who'd been whispering my name in passion just an hour ago.

*I knew he'd pull away eventually, but this fast? This completely?* I thought with a mixture of disbelief and growing irritation. *From 'I love you' to stone cold in the span of an hour?*

I deliberately looked away, only to catch Grandma Eleanor watching us with that knowing expression and barely suppressed smile playing at the corners of her mouth. I quickly averted my gaze from her too, moving to support her arm.

"Well, Ryan," I said, trying to project normalcy despite the awkwardness crackling in the air, "we can admire your stone collection properly tomorrow. It's getting late and we all need our rest."

But Ryan wasn't giving up so easily. His lower lip jutted out in that way that always tugged at my heartstrings. "Can I just come to your room and play for a little while? Just a tiny bit?"

My heart softened at his pleading tone, and I was about to relent when Orion stepped between us, his movement swift and decisive.

"Ryan, it's too late," he said, his voice carrying a sharp edge of finality. "You need to respect your teacher and her grandmother. They need their rest."

That word—*teacher*—was delivered with such deliberate emphasis that it felt like a slap. The cold, professional distance in his tone sent a wave of hurt and irritation through me that I tried desperately to suppress.

*Teacher, teacher, teacher,* I thought with growing resentment. *Fine. Teacher it is. I never wanted anything else from you anyway.*

But even as I tried to convince myself, I could feel that familiar ache of disappointment settling in my chest like a stone.

I saw Ryan's face fall with genuine disappointment, and my protective instincts kicked in immediately. Crouching down to his level, I took his small hands in mine, my voice gentle and reassuring.

"Ryan, sweetheart, I promise tomorrow I'll examine every single one of your beautiful stones, okay? We'll spend lots of time together and I'll tell you everything I know about each one."

His face brightened immediately, that resilient joy of childhood shining through. "Really? It's a deal!" He tugged on Orion's hand with renewed energy. "Come on, Daddy, let's go!"

As they walked away down the corridor, I couldn't help but notice how Orion didn't look back once. Not even a glance.

Mrs. Jones appeared as if summoned and led us to our guest suite. The moment the door closed behind us, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders, but the uncomfortable mix of emotions remained.

The suite was breathtaking—all warm wood panels and antique furnishings that somehow managed to feel both luxurious and comfortable. French doors opened onto a private balcony overlooking the moonlit lake, and the bed was large enough for a small family.

Grandma Eleanor settled into the plush armchair by the window with a contented sigh, but I caught her watching me with that knowing look I'd been dreading.

"Well," she said, her voice warm with barely contained laughter, "that wasn't exactly subtle, was it?"