Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

When Pax looked up, he saw Chloe stepping out. He quickly made his way over to her.

"Chloe..." he said, his voice sounding softer and lacking its usual cheer.

"Mr. Sartori, what can I do for you?" Chloe's face was neutral, and her tone was the same as when she talked to anyone else. But calling him "Mr. Sartori" made his heart sink.

"Chloe, are you still mad at me?

"I want to apologize. I shouldn't have hidden who I am, and I definitely shouldn't have lied to you. Chloe, I kept my identity a secret because it's complicated. If I told everyone I'm Pax, they'd either suck up to me or avoid me out of fear.

"I never wanted to deceive you. I just wanted to make a real friend, someone who likes me for who I am, not because of my last name or because my mom is Claire.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"I didn't fake being poor to trick you. I was genuinely broke in France. I was rebellious, and my mom took away my documents and cut off my cards. I had to work odd jobs under the table, earning next to nothing. The money I used to come back was all I had saved. When I returned, I had nothing. I truly wasn't trying to deceive you."

Chloe watched the young man standing in front of her. When she first met him, his smile was bright and warm. Now, his eyes were still clear and sincere but tinged with a layer of gloom. She couldn't bring herself to be harsh with him.

Chloe knew Pax hadn't meant to deceive her. Just like he said, her change in attitude wasn't because he hid his identity but because his identity complicated things. It gave her too much to worry about.

Chloe had always said she wouldn't

get involved in the Sartori family drama. She had cleanly broken things off with Connor. Yet, here she was, dealing with Pax, Claire's son. Chloe@ouldn't imagine the chaos if Claire found out her son had been staying with her. It would stir up unnecessary trouble and endless complications.

Chloe sighed, "Pax, I'm not mad at you, really."

Hearing Chloe call his name again, Pax's eyes lit up. "Really? Chloe, can I move back to Sundance Heights then?"

"No," Chloe said firmly.

Pax's shoulders slumped like a scolded puppy. "You're still mad at me."

"Pax, I went to Eldridge City recently

and met your mother briefly. She doesn't like me. If she finds out we're friends, especially that you e all the way from France

came a

het

see

me, she'll think I have a hidden agenda. I don't want Mrs. Sartori to misunderstand our relationship."

Pax was taken aback, "You've met my mother?"

"Yes, so Pax, it's not that I dislike you or that I'm mad at you. I think you're a good person, but I don't plan on being your friend. I'm selfish. I won't risk offending your mother for you.

"Besides, we've only known each other for a short time. There's no deep bond between us. Both of us should part ways now."

Chloe's honesty left Pax speechless. "You despise me just because of my mother? Does being born into the Sartori family mean I don't deserve genuine friendship?" Pax's voice had a touch of sorrow.