The Donor Billionaire (The Frazer Family #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

LEAH

T he buzzer sounds.

I run a hand over my face and into my hair, grimacing at the knotted mess I find. I glance down at the crumpled loungewear and realise I’m still in my PJs.

A hammering starts next as someone thumps the door with their fist. The buzzer goes again, although this time, it’s as if someone is leaning on it.

“Okay, okay,” I huff, pushing my laptop to one side and making my way to the door.

“We know you’re in there,” comes a familiar voice. “We come bearing gifts.”

I look through the peephole to see a bag with the name of my favourite Chinese restaurant plastered on the side. A grin spreads across my face.

I throw open the front door and am confronted by two smiling faces.

“About time. We wondered whether you’d died,” Stella says as she pushes past me and into the apartment, holding up the bag of delicious-smelling food.

“Not forgetting the important stuff,” Nat adds, following closely behind, waving a couple of bottles of wine in my face as she passes.

“Come in,” I say to my two best friends retreating backs.

“Come on,” Stella shouts from the main living area. “We’re here to cheer you up. Get you out of your funk.”

I close the door, adding the chain, before trailing after my two besties.

My feeble excuse for staying in this evening has clearly fallen on deaf ears.

I pause at the entrance to the main living area. Both are busy at the far end of the room, making themselves at home in my open-plan kitchen. Stella is unloading boxes of mouthwatering food onto the kitchen island. While Nat is rummaging through a kitchen drawer on the back wall, searching for the ever-elusive corkscrew.

“Found it.”

Nat holds up the offending item, receiving a cheer from Stella.

I grab some plates from another cupboard and head towards them.

Stella’s eyes are locked on something behind me. “I’ll never get tired of this view,” she sighs.

I turn and follow her gaze, watching as the lights of the city blink on as the sun sets.

“It really is quite something,” I say, my throat thickening. I’ve spent many hours imagining holding Vince and my child, pointing out the people and sights below. I give myself a mental shake. “We need to enjoy it while we can,” I add, offering my friends a weak smile before handing each of them a plate.

“Sorry,” Stella says, rubbing her hand up and down my arm.

“So, what happens to this place?” Nat asks, always the more practical one .

I sigh. “Vince brought an estate agent around. He’s put it on the market.”

“Oh,” they say together, their eyes wide.

I let out a defeated sigh. “It’s his name on the deeds. I suppose I should be grateful he hasn’t kicked me out—yet.”

Stella steps up and spins me towards her. Her hands grip my shoulders, shaking me.

“Grateful! He should be bloody grateful you didn’t take a blunt knife to his balls after what he did! Especially after he moved out and in with his little tart.”

Stella hisses through gritted teeth.

I’m glad the food is on the side and not in her hands. I’ve just realised how hungry I am.

Nat steps up and pats Stella’s hands before removing them from my shoulders. The action causes Stella to stop whatever else she’s about to say. She’s been very vocal about her feelings towards my ex-fiancé and his new lady-friend.

I pat her arm and smile at her outburst. “Too messy,” I state, wrinkling my nose, before turning to Nat.

“Vince has put the apartment on the market.”

I stop, accepting the generous glass of wine Nat places in my hand before taking a large sip. “There are quite a few viewings booked for this week. It’s a prime location. The estate agents don’t think it’ll be long before he has a buyer.”

It’s amazing how those words sting. I’d always seen this as our place. We’d moved in together. Chosen all the furniture together , of which I’d paid for a large portion. Plus, I was the one who’d taken a holiday and decorated every room. But the fact of the matter is. He owns it. I’m just a lodger.

“Bastard!” Stella hisses. “What are you going to do?” she asks, handing me a spoon so I can load some vegetable chow mein onto my plate. I love these girls and the fact they know my favourite comfort food .

My heart contracts. That is the million-pound question. If he gets a buyer, it won’t be long before he kicks me out.

“I arranged to view some apartments this weekend. I’d be grateful for the company if either of you are free.”

“Count us in. We can’t leave you to make that kind of decision alone. You’ve been too closeted in all this luxury,” Stella says, nudging my shoulder. My chest expands at my friend’s words. I am lucky. This apartment, my home, is fabulous.

Nat lifts her wine glass and plate filled with her favourite chicken and cashew and motions towards the dining table. Stella follows, leaving me to trail behind. I look at the dishes lined up on the island and wonder why I didn’t simply tell Stella to place the containers straight on the table. My brain is so foggy. I’m surprised I’m functioning.

After our second trip, we drop into our seats and tuck in. I moan in delight at the explosion of flavours on my tongue. They both look at me, their expressions smug.

“What?” I say, glancing at my best friends.

“Nothing. They say food is the best replacement for sex,” Nat says.

“No!” Stella and I say together, laughing. Although my sex life is barren now, Vince is no longer in the picture. Not that it was much better when he was around. Was the writing on the wall, and I’d simply missed it?

“So, have you heard from the slimy rat?” Stella asks, shovelling a mouthful of food into her mouth.

The vice that seems a permanent fixture in my chest tightens another notch. “He called me yesterday at work. I think he hopes it’s safer to contact me there, that I’m less likely to lose my temper.”

“How you haven’t lost your shit with him, I’ll never know. No one would blame you,” Stella puts in.

“No. But I’m tired, Stella. I’ve already expended too much energy where he’s concerned,” I say. “He’s given me six weeks to find somewhere else, but then I need to be out.” My stomach recoils, and I put my fork on the table. “He says he’ll reimburse me for all the furniture I’ve bought. That he can use it in their new apartment. To be honest, it’s a blessing. I can use that money as a down payment for somewhere else.”

Stella growls but holds her tongue.

“I still can’t believe him,” Nat says again.

She’s disappointed in Vincent. She thought he was a good guy. But then, so had I. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I have become obsessed with moving our relationship forward, but after ten years together, was that so wrong? I’m thirty-four. Is it so wrong to want a family?

“Have you told your parents?”

I shake my head. “No. They’re only four months into their trip around Australia. I know Mum. She’ll only worry and want to come home.”

“But, Leah-” Nat says, her brows wrinkling.

“It’s not an option, and there’s nothing they can do. They’ve rented their house out for the year. If they come home now, they’ll be in the same position as me—homeless. They’ve been looking forward to this trip for years. My love life, or lack of it, will not ruin that for them.”

Nat and Stella share a look but stay quiet. They know I’m right. Mum and Dad would be on the next flight home.

“Are you getting tested?” Stella asks, the ever-practical friend.

“I went to a walk-in clinic a couple of days ago. Tonight’s a celebration. He hasn’t given me anything nasty.”

Nat’s eyes shoot to mine, her skin taking a greenish tone, her horror transparent. “Oh my, you thought he’d given you something?”

I give her a gentle smile. She’s always been the gentler, more innocent one of the three of us. She feels things more deeply. I try to smile, although I think it’s probably more of a scowl. Her eyes widen. It’s Stella who comes to my rescue.

“No, Nat. But Leah needs to be sensible. If Vince has been having sex with another woman, Leah needs to know he hasn’t given her anything. It’s for peace of mind.”

Stella knows how it feels. Her last partner had been messing around behind her back. She wasn’t as lucky, but a course of antibiotics had fixed her up, and made her more cautious.

I nod in agreement, and Nat’s shoulders drop as she exhales loudly. I’m so lucky to have these two wonderful women in my life.

“To hell with him,” Stella says. “We’ll find you somewhere to live, and you can give him the middle finger. Close the door on this chapter.” She grabs my hand over the table and squeezes. “There’s someone better for you out there. Someone who will adore you, not make excuses. Vince may be wealthy, but he’s a dick. He’s always been punching above his weight. He never appreciated what he had, and I hope he comes to rue the day.”

I know what she’s trying to do, but the stabbing pain in my stomach increases. It’s not only the end of an engagement. It’s the end of my dreams. Dreams of finally starting a family, having a child of my own. Children. I’m not getting any younger, and now I’m on my own. I’ve given Vince the best years of my life, only to be pushed aside without a thought for my wants and needs.

“I know,” I say, offering her a wan smile. “But it’s scary. This has been my home. Vince has been in my life for ten years. I was twenty-four when we met. Twenty-six when I moved in with him. I don’t even know where or how to start again.”

Stella gets up and moves to my chair, pulling me up and into her arms. She rubs circles on my back before pushing me away, her hands gripping my upper arms. “You listen to me, Leah Walker. You deserve better than Vincent Lamont. Yes, he might be some big-shot investment banker with more money than taste.”

I stifle a giggle.

“Stella’s right,” Nat says, shaking her head. “Vince definitely missed the fashion memo. A designer label does not automatically mean stylish.”

“Perfectly put, Nat,” Stella says. “Do you remember that florescent green patterned shirt? I can’t remember which designer it was, but it looked like someone had puked up radioactive avocado all over him.”

I bite my lip, and a snort escapes. My hand flies to my mouth, and it’s not long before we’re all doubled over, tears rolling down our cheeks.

“He never understood the importance of matching against your skin tone.”

I gasp, trying hard to catch my breath.

“Hopefully, the next man you meet will have taste.” Nat chortles.

“Some taste would be an improvement,” Stella says, moving to the wall and pointing to a picture of Vince and me that highlights her point perfectly, setting us off in another round of giggles.

“You can and will move on. You’re a strong, intelligent and independent woman. And don’t you forget it,” Stella says, sitting down again. “Now, my wine glass is empty.”

Before Nat can open her second bottle, I get up and move to Vince’s prize wine rack. I grab a bottle. “He may not have any taste in clothes, but his wine? Well, that’s another matter.”

Stella and Nat look at me and grin. Stella waves me over, opening her hand before taking the bottle I’m holding. She reads the label and snorts .

“Really? Pretentious prick,” she mutters, making both Nat and I laugh. “But I don’t mind if I do,” she adds, grabbing the corkscrew and making quick work of the offending cork.

It may be a school night, but I need to let my hair down. I hold out my glass, which Stella fills. Together we swill, sniff, savour, and swallow.

“No point in wasting it,” Nat says, giggling.

“That’s it,” Stella shrieks, making Nat and I jump. “Friday night... a girls’ night.” Stella raises her glass, motioning for us to follow. “We’re going out. Starting your new life... or is that restarting?” Stella gives me the once over. “No more loungewear or bird’s nests.”

We clink glasses.

“Why not!”

Maybe this is just what I need. “To new beginnings,” I say, holding up my refilled glass.

“To new beginnings,” my friends chorus.

“And just make sure you wear that sexy little number you bought and your killer heels,” Stella adds, winking at me over the top of her glass. “You too, Nat.”

“I’m in a relationship,” Nat says.

“It’s called moral support, and I’m sure Rory will appreciate you making an effort when you get home,” Stella adds, making Nat blush to the roots of her hair while Stella and I laugh.

“In for a penny,” I say.

My friends are correct. It’s time for my life to begin again.