The Billionaire's Secret Bargain

E

ike a green cloud in the evening sunlight. I prefer my little apartment with the vie

ia's and I step out into the warm

woman in bed, pale and thin but with a br

ile, drop my bag, and give

me everything." She pats t

it down. "Whe

trying to prepare another atrocious food for me to eat.

you stop joking like that, n

any sign of distress. Apart from her fading auburn hair and water

arts to climb regardless but she squeez

urope and most of the dickheads in this city to create a c

not little, Mom," I

ssively fight it and I've lost a lot o

more insufferable. That doesn't mean I'll love her any le

lace for your bakery?" she asks,

is too high,"

care about this thing you're trying to do. Join the company, take yo

with the direction of the conversat

s a waste of time, Penny. You can be a

an a hobby to me, it's a passion and I l

ows her hands in

ked about

and nail-" she gestures around the lavish room "-for all this and my daughter doesn't want any of

pleas

sure the Castillo legacy will liv

stop my tears from forming. "Well, you're n

er face. "If the baking doesn't work, I'l

ve you so m

hrough this and you can kick ass

ly and relaxes fu

for you and I'm thinking of inviting him for

l my

has a thing for you and I know you said you don't like h

u and Jess ne

ction than you. Before you reach my

and dissolve

trolls in, smiling. "Hey,

simultaneously and gi

ng good,

eplies with

an four months of being my mom's caregiver, she's easily family. She has a

cooking

e tray. "I guess th

ing offense. "Yes. But

the drugs into the IV line in my mom's arm. It

she gives me an all-clear sm

ngs the tray over to the bed and turns to me.

to stay with me."

l see me first thing in the morning."

ns away. "I just love seeing you two," she says and

and I take my seat and stir what

wears a similar disgusted expr

her and two more for her to drift

witch off the lights. As I sh

I put the phone to my ear. "We got t