Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

But he still hadn't come up with a good excuse to get Lucas out of the picture.

Connor said quietly, "Let him stay in the hospital for a couple more days. We'll figure it out after that."

Teddy responded right away.

Just as Connor was about to hang up, he added, "Don't bother about his meals— just make sure he doesn't actually starve."

Teddy understood immediately. "Got it."

The call ended.

Chloe finished up in the kitchen and brought the food out.

The table was filled with all kinds of dishes, but honestly, none of them looked very appetizing.

She called the two kids over and scooped out some rice.

Once everyone was seated, Chloe cleared her throat. "Mr. Connor, please, dig in.

I tried making a few dishes from Country M tonight-it's my first time, so they might not be great. Please don't mind if they're a little off."

Connor glanced at the table, eyebrows knit together at the sight of the dark, mysterious lumps in each bowl.

He poked at one particularly blackened pile with his chopsticks. "What's this supposed to be?"

Chloe answered, "Scrambled eggs with tomatoes. It got a little burnt, but I think it should still be fine."

Connor pointed to another dish. "And this?"

She tried to sound confident. "I attempted cola chicken wings-kids usually love them. They turned out a bit overdone, but they should be edible."

Connor looked over the whole spread of charred dishes and strangely-felt his mood lighten.

She was still the same Chloe. Still a disaster in the kitchen.

He asked, "So, does Grayson eat like this every day?"

If that was true, he felt almost vindicated. Maybe his earlier phone call had been a little too much.

He definitely remembered just how bad Chloe's cooking could be.

Right then, Aaron chimed in, "Dad's the one who cooks at home. Mom can't really cook."

Connor's smirk faded instantly.

So much for that.

He'd felt adittle jealous, imagining Chloe cooking for Lucas, but now, hearing that Lucas was the one doing all the cooking, somehow made him feel even worse

Lucas really did take good care of Chloe.

Of course, he was still a thief-he'd stolen Connor's most precious thing, so of course he'd hold on tight.

But the more Lucas cherished her, the harder it would be for Chloe to ever let go. Chloe noticed Connor hadn't touched his chopsticks.

She knew her food was bad, but she couldn't exactly ask her guest to cook, could she?

She smiled awkwardly. "Maybe we could just try a little?"

But Connor suddenly put his chopsticks down. "Are there any groceries left in the fridge?"

Chloe hesitated, a little surprised. "Yeah, there's still some stuff in there."

Connor stood up. "I'll cook. Give me thirty minutes."

Chloe blushed, embarrassed. But honestly, her food was just too awful, and there wasn't much she could say.

Connor came out in an apron a few minutes later and carried Chloe's dishes back to the kitchen.

He looked at her and said, “Go relax in the living room, watch some TV. Dinner will be ready soon."

Connor got to work in the kitchen.

Chloe and the kids sat on the couch,

the TV playing in the band

but Chloe's eyes kept

kitchen.

Wac

the

She could hear the sound of water running, vegetables being chopped, pots and

pans clinking.

Connor moved with an easy

confidence every movement

smooth and practiced. Even in the

.n

kitchen, he looked striking: tall, handsome, focused, almost like he belonged in a magazine. Watching him cook was like watching someone create a piece of art.

Why did this scene feel so familiar?

Suddenly, Chloe's head throbbed, and a rush of blurry memories threatened to

break through.noveldrama