The Billionaire Secret Child

d for elegance were now her worst enemy, wobbling with every hurried step. She was over an hour late to the most prestigious event of the year, a charity ball her father had insisted she

an who was very much not Emily. Her fiery red hair tumbled down her bare back as she leaned into him, their lips locked in an unmistakably passionate kiss. Emily's breath caught in her throat. "James?" He pulled away, turning toward her with wide eyes. "Emily! This isn't-" "Don't," she snapped, her voice shaking. "Just... don't." She spun on her heel and fled, tears threatening to spill as humiliation clawed at her chest. She barely noticed the stares as she pushed through the crowd, desperate for air, for escape-anything to erase what she'd just seen. In her haste, she didn't see him. She collided with a tall, solid figure, stumbling backward, but strong hands caught her before she hit the ground. "Easy there." The voice was familiar, smooth and teasing. Emily looked up and found herself staring into the same piercing blue eyes from earlier. It was him-the man in the tuxedo. "Twice in one night," he said, his hands still steadying her. "Fate, perhaps?" "Let go," she muttered, trying to step away, but his grip was gentle, not holding her captive-just anchoring her. "Not until you catch your breath," he said, his gaze searching hers. "You look like you've seen a ghost." "I'm fine," she snapped, though the wobble in her voice betrayed her. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look fine." Emily sighed, suddenly too exhausted to argue. "If I tell you I've had the worst night of my life, will you let me go?" His lips curved into a smile, though his eyes softened. "Perhaps. Or maybe I'll take it as a challenge to make it better." Before she could respond, a burst of laughter from a passing couple reminded her they were still in the middle of the ballroom. Heat rose to her cheeks again. "I need to get out of here." He hesitated, studying her, then offered his arm. "Come with me." "What?" "L