The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 93

Aveline

I caught the flicker of surprise that crossed Orion's face when I asked him to stay, and something about his reaction both amused and emboldened me. This man who commanded boardrooms and intimidated grown businessmen was suddenly looking uncertain about sitting on a bed with me.

I settled beside him on the mattress, close enough that I could smell his cologne and feel the warmth radiating from his body. As I adjusted my position, my hand accidentally brushed against his arm, and I felt him tense immediately, shifting slightly away from me like I was carrying some kind of contagious disease. The intensity of his reaction to such a simple touch caught me off guard.

"So, um," he started, his usual confidence notably absent, "I thought you might have trouble sleeping after everything that happened. Sometimes talking helps people wind down before bed. I just... I don't want Ryan asking questions tomorrow if you show up with dark circles under your eyes."

Of course. Ryan again.

I stood up and walked to the vanity mirror, using the excuse of finger-combing my damp hair to give myself a moment to process his words. In the reflection, I could see him watching me with that careful, concerned expression that was becoming frustratingly familiar.

"You don't need to worry about me," I said lightly, working out a tangle near my temple. "I'm not as fragile as you seem to think. I've been through worse things and survived just fine."

"Worse things like what happened six years ago?" The question came out more sharply than he'd probably intended, and I saw him immediately look like he regretted asking.

I turned to face him, one eyebrow raised. "Since when are you so interested in my ancient history?"

There was something in his expression—a flash of what might have been discomfort, as if he'd realized he was prying into something too personal.

I moved closer to where he sat, close enough that when I reached out to touch his shoulder, he immediately stiffened and leaned away.

"It's not just that one incident," I said firmly, my voice taking on a steel that hadn't been there before. "I lost something precious in Europe. Something that can never be replaced." The words came out harder than I'd intended, and I felt that familiar ache in my chest—the phantom weight of tiny arms that would never hold me again, little fingers that would never curl around mine.

I pushed the memory down, the way I'd learned to do over the years. There was no point in dwelling on what could never be changed.

"But that loss taught me something important," I continued, my voice steadying. "Pain doesn't get to define who I become. I decide that."

I sat back down beside him, but when my knee accidentally brushed his thigh, his immediate recoil left me with a flash of irritation.

"After everything I've been through, I became someone different. Someone stronger." I shrugged, keeping my voice level despite his odd behavior. "Tonight was horrible, and yes, it hurt me. But it won't break me. Nothing can break me anymore."

Something flickered across Orion's face—as if he was seeing me for the first time, really seeing me, not as Ryan's teacher or someone who needed his protection, but as a completely different person than he'd imagined. His breathing changed, became slightly uneven, and when he looked at me, there was an intensity there that made my pulse quicken.

"Christ, Aveline," he whispered, his voice rougher than before. "I had no idea you'd been through... I mean, I never..." He trailed off, running both hands through his hair in agitation.

When I reached out without thinking to smooth down the disheveled strands, he jerked backward like I'd burned him, his hand shooting up to catch my wrist. But instead of just deflecting me, he held on, his thumb unconsciously stroking across my pulse point for several heartbeats before he seemed to realize what he was doing and released me like I was on fire. The contradiction in his behavior was maddening.

"Ryan," he said suddenly, almost desperately, "Ryan needs... he's lucky to have you." The words tumbled out in a rush, like he was using his son's name as a lifeline to pull himself back from whatever precipice he'd been standing on.

And there it was again. Ryan.

Every conversation, every moment of connection between us, somehow got redirected back to his son. As if the only value I had in his life was as a teacher and maternal figure for a five-year-old.

I stood up slowly, moving to stand directly in front of him.

"Always Ryan," I said quietly, searching his face. "Is everything you do—every decision you make, every kindness you show me—is it all for Ryan's sake?"

Orion's eyes immediately darted away from mine, and I watched him retreat into that familiar emotional armor he wore so well.

"What else would it be for?" he said, but his voice lacked conviction, and he couldn't quite meet my gaze.

The deflection hit me like a slap. After everything that had happened tonight, after the way he'd looked at me with such concern and fury and tenderness, he was still hiding behind his son like Ryan was some kind of emotional shield.

"Oh," I said softly, straightening up and taking a step back. "I see."

I walked to the door and opened it pointedly, my expression cooling to match his sudden distance.

"Well then, since you've confirmed that I'm not having a nervous breakdown and won't traumatize your son with my appearance tomorrow, I think your work here is done. Thank you for the wellness check, Mr. Blackwell."

The formal address seemed to startle him. He blinked at me for a moment, clearly not expecting to be dismissed so abruptly.

"Oh. Right. Of course." He stood up awkwardly, running his hand through his hair again. "I should let you get some rest."

I nodded pleasantly, holding the door open for him like a polite hostess.

"Goodnight, Orion. Sleep well."

He paused in the doorway, looking like he wanted to say something else, but I maintained my cool smile until he finally nodded and walked out.

The moment the door closed behind him, I leaned against it and let out a frustrated breath.

*What an idiot.*

Here I was, practically throwing myself at the man, being as direct as I could possibly be about wanting him to see me as more than just Ryan's teacher, and he kept deflecting every emotional moment by bringing up his son.

Either he was completely oblivious to what I was trying to tell him, or he was deliberately keeping me at arm's length for reasons I couldn't understand.

I walked back to the bed and punched one of the perfectly fluffed pillows with more force than was strictly necessary.

*Fine,* I thought grimly. *If he wants to pretend this is all about Ryan, then that's exactly what I'll give him. Professional. Distant. Just the hired help.*