Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Chloe nodded, "I'm here for you."

She wrapped her arms around Connor's waist, resting her head against his chest. "I know this is tearing you up inside. I never would've guessed Claire was your mom."

Chloe looked up at him, her eyes full of concern. "When did you find out?"

Connor held her close, but his eyes seemed lost in a distant memory.

"As a kid, I was always clinging to my oldest sister. She wasn't always nice, but I adored her anyway. Maybe it's just something kids do."noveldrama

"Her moods swung like crazy. Sometimes she'd hug me and buy me treats, and other times... she'd really put me through the wringer."

"I'd always forget the bad stuff after a piece of candy. She was my favorite sister, no matter what."

"Then, when I was ten, she pushed me into a pool. I was flailing, calling for help, but she just stood there, staring at me like I was nothing."

Connor closed his eyes, his voice trembling a bit. "I'll never shake the way she looked at me—so cold, so full of hate. In that moment, I almost stopped fighting."

"Someone pulled me out, but the fear of dying left me devastated and confused about her cruelty."

"That night, Jeffery made her kneel in the chapel as punishment. I overheard when Marian came to see her."

"Marian called her heartless, saying she could even push her own child into the water. But she said I wasn't her son-I was a mistake."

Connor let out a dry chuckle, though his eyes were sad.

"That's when it hit me: I was her child, but my father was the criminal who hurt her. She saw me as an enemy."

Connor's voice steadied.

"Sometimes I get why she's the way she is. What happened to her was beyond awful. But I can't wrap my head around why she'd want me gone."

"My life's felt like one long battle with her, but truth is, I never had a choice. It's like we're locked in this fight, winner takes all. I keep telling myself she's just my biological mother, not really a 'mom.' Yet every time see Pax call her 'Mom' so easily, it leaves this void in me."

Connor had never opened up like this to anyone.

But with Chloe, he wanted to lay it all bare, to show her his most vulnerable side.

Connor spoke gently, "I wish I could call her 'Mom' like Pax does."

"She remembers Pax's birthday, makes him a cake, pinches his cheeks and says, 'My son is so adorable.' She notices when he's dyed his hair or got a new piercing. To Pax, she's a real mom."

Connor smiled faintly, looking down to hide the tears welling up. "But to me, she's

just a stranger."