Page 255 of The Rebel Billionaire

“And my favourite colour is chocolate brown,” he says.

“Is it now?” I say with sass. “I’m still mad you think I’d steal from you,” I say. “Of all the things.”

“And you can be, as long as you give me the chance to make it up to you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you more than I wanted to admit even to myself, and after you left… I never want to feel that way again. It was like the bottom had been ripped out of my world.”

“But…”

“I was scared, Harper. I may be thirty-nine, but when you came into my life, you turned it upside down. I’m too old for you, and I still don’t think I’m wrong about that. You worked for me. We’re at different stages in our lives. You should be going out and partying. I’ve done all that. You need to be able to⁠—”

I laugh, genuinely laugh. “Me partying… Believe me, Alex, I’ve done enough partying to last me a lifetime. I don’t care if I never attend another party ever again. Charity events are about as much as I can manage these days, and that’s mainly because I have zero choice in the matter, being a Frazer.”

There is a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I say, surprised my siblings have managed to restrain themselves until now.

Kat enters carrying a tray of drinks.

“Harper mentioned you like coffee, so I took the initiative. If you’d prefer tea, I can make you some.”

“Coffee’s great, thank you,” he says.

Kat places the tray on the coffee table. “Betsy sent in some toast,” she says, shooting me a look I know Alex won’t miss.

“Tell her thank you,” I say.

She leaves without another word, closing the door softly behind her.

“Before I forget…” He digs in his pocket. “Mother gave me this to return to you.”

I gasp. “My necklace.”

He unclasps it, and I turn so he can place it around my neck. I left my St Clair pendant with Mitch for him to return with my clothes.

“Thank you,” I say, turning back to face him. My hand closing around the ruby.

I inhale deeply. “I have something to tell you. The physician I saw before I left⁠—”

His brows furrow. “Are you all right?”

“I want no more lies or half-truths between us,” I say, taking his hand in mine. “He left a message which I only got after I arrived here. The nausea, my sickness… I’m pregnant.”

CHAPTER 76

ALEX

Istare at Harper, open-mouthed.

“I’m not expecting anything from you, but I want you to know.”

I snap my mouth closed, my eyes wide.

“Pregnant?”

“I know, I’m as shocked as you. We’ve always been so careful, but apparently accidents happen.”