The Billionaire Second Chance

rimming stems, arranging blossoms, and putting them on crisp paper tied with string was a calming habit. It was simple to lose herself in

the letter's bold, uncompromising typeface loomed huge each time her hands froze. The flowers in front of her, a bouq

ng her daydream. He was standing beside her now,

as. He had a way of seeing through her defenses. "It's the house," she admitted

ainst the counter; his arms crossed over

. "I've tried everything, Lucas. Extensions, payment plans,

calculation, and he was silent for a while. "That house means everyt

She hated how small and helpless she sounded. "Unles

d but reassuring gesture that let her know she wasn't alone. He stated res

as reassuring, she couldn't bring herself to accept it since the odds were overwhelmin

an talk to some people, see if there's a way

You've already done enough,

ftening his tone. "I'm offering. And if you refuse,

ty, but she wasn't worthy either. Lucas was stubborn, fiercely l

iled floor. She had a fancy bag hanging over one arm and looked attractive, with sharp feature

dripping with familiarity. "

anor faltered, and for the first time, he looked uncomfortable. "Ma

purred, her eyes flicking briefly to Valentina. The glance was di

, his tone clipped. "Is t

or circling its prey. "Ju

ween Lucas and Madeline was none of her business. But as she arranged the next bouquet, her hands

s had put together with his unique touch. Soft jazz hummed in the background, mixing effortlessly with the gentle r

dy, fumbled slightly as she wrapped a bouquet of white lilies. Lucas's sharp eyes caught

gainst the counter where she worked. "Y

a clipped voice, "I'm fine." She had a nervous habit of tu

n his fingers and stretched out to get it from the counter. "You've wrapped that bouquet t

s flushing slightly.

he shop's large windows cast soft shadows on her face, highlighting the faint dark circles benea

he said gently. "You're usual

unter. As if to make sure no one else was listening, she looked aroun

whisper, she confessed, "It's the house." "

ng. "Foreclosure?" he said again, his tone be

hat difference would it make?" "It's not lik

d his brows. Yes, but I can assist

tried everything. Plans for payments, the sale of used furnishing

his dark eyes. At last, he added softly, "It's not like yo

n't want to push the subject, and you don't have to do this

sitation flickering in her green eyes. "You've al

g," he said firml

ore she could reply, however, the shop door jingled and a group of

ortingly at her. He murmured, "Consider it,

ued Lucas's steadfast assistance, she felt nervous about depending on him even more than she a

e hardly noticed the roadway glowing warmly in the late afternoon's golden t

door. Checking for mail, hoping for a break, and discovering nothing but i

was an unexplainable tension in the air, making it fe

day, was found inside. Her chest constricted at the sight of it. As she took it o

ed as she murmu

he tore it apart. The page's bold, merciless font read: FINAL NOTI

ssing cars and faraway laughter seemed to blend into a roar as the world around her