Chapter 6 The Romantic Rival
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The days after the boardwalk outing felt different. Layla wasn't sure if it was the kiss, the closeness, or the flicker of something she couldn't name, but she found herself watching Jasper more than she should've. Not as the man she was pretending to love, but the man she was beginning to... feel something for.
It was dangerous.
Fake marriages weren't supposed to feel this real.
---
Before the storm hit, Layla needed to breathe.
So, she asked Jasper's driver to take her to the hospital.
He didn't ask questions. Just dropped her off in front of a modest building, tucked away from the world Jasper Tate knew.
Room 214.
Layla stepped inside quietly and smiled the moment she saw her little sister.
Lina.
Sixteen. Brave. Bald from the treatments but glowing with that same soft smile Layla had always adored.
"You're here," Lina whispered, her voice weak but warm.
Layla sat on the bed and hugged her gently. "I missed you."
"I thought you were busy being some billionaire's wife."
Layla chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from Lina's forehead. "Don't remind me."
"Is he hot?"
"Lina!"
Her sister grinned. "What? I'm sick, not dead."
Layla shook her head with a smile, but then her expression grew serious. She reached for Lina's hand.
"They said the next treatment will be the hardest one, right?"
Lina nodded slowly. "They don't think the insurance will cover it."
"I know," Layla murmured. "That's why I'm doing all of this. For you."
"Even if it hurts you?"
"I can take the hurt. I just want you to live."
Lina's eyes welled up. "You're the best sister in the world."
Layla leaned in, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "I'll come back soon. And when I do, I'll bring good news."
---
It was Friday afternoon when everything shifted.
Back at the mansion, just as Layla returned from the hospital, a voice echoed from the grand foyer.
A female voice.
Loud. Confident. Familiar.
"Jasper? You didn't tell me you were playing house."
Layla peered over the balcony just as a tall, stunning woman walked through the doors like she owned the place. Long waves of auburn hair. Legs that didn't end. And eyes that locked onto Layla with instant calculation.
She didn't have to ask who she was.
The ex.
Jasper stepped out from his office, clearly caught off-guard. "Claire."
Claire walked toward him with a smirk. "You changed the code again. That's cute."
Jasper's jaw tightened. "What are you doing here?"
"I was in town. Thought I'd visit my favorite billionaire." Her eyes slid toward Layla. "But it seems you've... upgraded."
Layla stood from the staircase slowly, trying to remain composed.
Jasper looked between them. "Layla, this is Claire. Claire... my wife, Layla."
Claire tilted her head. "Wife? Wow. No headline? No invite? Not even a scandal?"
"Private ceremony," Jasper said flatly. "We didn't want attention."
Claire stepped closer to Layla, voice low and dripping with venom. "Let me guess. You're the sweet, shy one. Innocent eyes. Quick marriage. You're probably already pregnant."
Layla met her gaze without flinching. "Actually, we're expecting twins."
Claire blinked. "Wow. Fast work."
Jasper cut in. "You've said hello. Now say goodbye."
But Claire just laughed, turning to leave. "I'll see you around. I'm not the type to disappear, Jasper. You know that."
And with a toss of her perfect hair, she was gone.
---
That night, Layla paced her room, furious.
"Expecting twins?" she muttered to herself, cheeks burning. "Really, Layla?"
A knock on her door interrupted her spiral.
It was Jasper.
She opened the door slowly, trying to hide the whirlpool of emotion in her chest.
"I didn't know she was coming," he said, leaning in the doorway.
"I gathered."
He studied her, quiet for a beat. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She crossed her arms. "You didn't seem that surprised to see her."
"I'm never surprised with Claire. She always shows up when she's losing control."
Layla hesitated, then asked, "Was she... important to you?"
Jasper didn't look away. "She was the first woman who made me believe love was real."
Ouch.
"And now?"
"She's the last woman I'll ever trust."
Layla bit her lip. "But you trust me enough to have your child?"
He stepped closer, just a breath away now. "You're different."
She blinked, heart stuttering. "Am I?"
His hand reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You make me forget this whole thing is fake."
She should've stepped back.
Should've said something clever.
Instead, her lips parted slightly, and Jasper leaned in
But just as their lips were about to meet, another knock echoed down the hallway.
They froze.
Layla opened her door a crack and saw Gregory once again standing there, suitcase in hand.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," he said with a raised brow.
Jasper cleared his throat. "Not at all."
"I just wanted to let you know," Gregory continued, eyes flickering between them, "that I'll be staying here this weekend. I have a charity gala Sunday night and thought I'd enjoy some time with my favorite couple."
Jasper's face darkened just slightly. "Of course."
Gregory's smile widened. "And Claire tells me she might stop by."
Layla blinked. "She what?"
Jasper stepped forward, jaw tight. "Since when do you and Claire talk?"
Gregory simply smiled. "Let's just say... I always like to know who's circling my grandson."
---
That night, Layla couldn't sleep.
Jasper didn't knock on her door again, and she hated how disappointed that made her feel.
Claire was beautiful. Charming. Dangerous.
Layla was just... Layla. A broke girl pretending to be someone's wife so she could save her sister.
But for a few seconds, when he touched her hair - when he almost kissed her - she felt like she mattered.
And now, with Claire in the picture and Gregory watching them like a hawk, the stakes were higher than ever.
She had to remember: This was a contract. A business deal. One heir = one billion dollars.
But her heart? It hadn't signed anything.
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