Sixty Days In The Billionaire's Arms

Chapter 7

Serena's POV

My heart was still racing from the kiss. Then Nate's words landed like a punch. Diana. Coming for my father. I stepped back from him. My bare feet were cold on the marble floor. The fancy green dress suddenly felt like it belonged to someone else. Someone who wasn't drowning. Drowning in old secrets and new fears.

"What do you mean she's coming for my dad?" My voice came out sharp. Sharper than I meant. "Who even is Diana? Why does she care about my family?"

Nate set his phone down slowly. Like he was giving himself time to think. His jaw was tight. His eyes were dark. Something I couldn't read. Worry, maybe. Or anger. He looked at me like he wanted to pull me back into his arms. But he stayed on the other side of the island. Smart. I needed space right now.

"Diana Voss," he said quietly. "No relation to you. Thank God. She's my ex. The one before Victoria. We were together a couple years ago. She's… complicated. Ruthless when she wants something."

I laughed. But it sounded bitter. Even to me. "Another ex? Great. First Victoria crashes our dinner. Now this Diana is dragging my dad into whatever mess you two had. What does she have on him, Nate? Tell me straight. No more omissions."

He ran a hand through his hair. He messed up the perfect style from earlier. It made him look more human. Less like the billionaire. The one who could erase debts with a signature. "Marcus texted details. She's claiming your father stole money. From my dad's old company. Years ago. Before I took over. Before you and I ever met. She says she has proof. She's going public tomorrow. Unless I… handle it."

"Stole money?" The words didn't fit. My dad was the man who worked overtime at the warehouse. He skipped meals so I could have school supplies. He cried when he had to take that loan. "That's impossible. My dad's never stolen anything. He can barely walk to the mailbox some days."

Nate nodded. But his face stayed serious. "I believe you. But Diana doesn't bluff. She's smart. Connected. And she hates losing. When we broke up, it wasn't clean. She took some files. Contacts. Things she thought would hurt me later. Looks like she's cashing in now. Now that the engagement is out there."

I pressed my hands to my temples. The penthouse felt too big. Too empty. All that marble and glass. And I still felt trapped. "This is because of me. Because I walked into your office. Because we kissed five minutes ago. We tried to make this real. Everything was fine—well, not fine, but manageable—before today."

"Hey." Nate came around the island then. Slow like he was approaching a scared animal. He stopped a foot away. "This isn't on you. The debt. The will clause. My past… it was all there before you said yes. Diana's timing sucks. But we'll face it."

"We?" I looked up at him. His eyes were steady. That same calm that had made me sign the contract. But now it felt different. Warmer. Scarier. "Nate, my dad is sick. If this gets out, even if it's lies, the stress could… I can't lose him. Not after everything."

He reached out and took my hands. His were warm. Strong. Calluses on his palms too. From who knows what. Not soft like I expected. From a guy in suits all day. "You're not losing him. I won't let that happen. I'll call my lawyers tonight. We'll get ahead of her story. And I'll talk to your dad myself if you want. Tell him the truth about us. Or part of it."

"No." I pulled my hands back gently. "Not yet. He thinks I got a good job opportunity. Let's keep it that way for now. He doesn't need more guilt. He already blames himself. For the bills. For Mom dying young. For everything."

We stood there in the quiet kitchen. The city lights twinkled outside the huge windows. Like nothing was wrong. I thought about the kiss again. How it felt real. How for a second I let myself believe. Maybe sixty days could turn into something more. Now this.

"You really looked for me for ten years?" I asked. I was changing the subject a little. My head was spinning.

Nate's mouth curved into a small smile. "Yeah. I did. After the coast, I kept seeing your face. The way you didn't hesitate to jump in after me. Most people would've called for help. You just acted." He stepped closer. "When you walked into my office, it was like the universe was giving me a second chance. I wasn't going to waste it on another extension. I wanted you close."

My cheeks warmed. "And now I'm here. In your fancy penthouse. Wearing a dress I could never afford. And some ex of yours is trying to ruin my family. This doesn't feel like a second chance, Nate. It feels like a trap I walked into."

"It's not." His voice dropped lower. "The contract is done. Debt's gone. What happens between us now… that's ours. Not fake. Not for cameras."

I wanted to believe him. God, I did. He was standing there in his expensive shirt. Sleeves rolled up. Looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I reached up and touched his cheek. I felt the slight stubble. "Then prove it. Help me stop Diana. Don't make my dad a pawn in your world."

He covered my hand with his. "I will. First thing tomorrow, I'll have Grace pull everything. The old company records. Marcus is already digging. If there's any truth to her claim, we'll handle it quietly. Your dad stays out of the spotlight."

We moved to the living room after that. I curled up on the huge couch. Still in the dress. Changing felt like giving up the night. Nate sat beside me. Close but not pushing. We talked for hours. Real talk. About my dad's favorite books. How he used to make terrible pancakes on Sundays. About Nate's mom. The will clause that started all this. He told me how lonely running the company felt sometimes. Even with all the money.

At some point I leaned against his shoulder. His arm went around me naturally. Like we'd done this a hundred times. "I'm scared," I whispered into the quiet. "Not just about Diana. About this. About us. What if I fall for you? And the sixty days end? And you go back to your real life?"

His fingers traced slow circles on my arm. "What if I don't want to go back? What if I want the girl who saved me ten years ago to stay?"

It was too much. Too fast. But it felt good. Safe. Even with the storm outside. We stayed like that until my eyes got heavy. Nate kissed the top of my head.

"Get some sleep, Serena. Your room's ready. Tomorrow we fight this together."

I nodded. I let him walk me down the hall. At my door, he paused. "No pressure. But if you need me… I'm right down the hall."

I closed the door. I changed into soft pajamas. The stylist left them. The bed was huge. The pillows were perfect. But sleep didn't come easy. My mind kept replaying the kiss. Nate's promises. And the name Diana. Like a warning.

Around three in the morning, my phone buzzed. On the nightstand. Unknown number. I almost ignored it. But something made me check.

The text read: Tell Nate to back off the old files or your father's secrets come out. Starting with the real reason he collapsed. — D

My stomach dropped. I sat up. Heart hammering. What secrets? Dad never mentioned anything.

I crept out of my room. Down the hall to Nate's door. It was cracked open. I pushed it gently. He was asleep. One arm over his eyes. Chest rising steady. He looked younger like this. Vulnerable.

"Nate," I whispered. I sat on the edge of his bed. "Wake up. Diana texted me."

His eyes opened instantly. Sharp even in the dark. He sat up. Sheets falling to his waist. "What did she say?"

I showed him the phone. His face hardened as he read. Then he pulled me closer. He wrapped me in his arms. Like he could shield me from the words.

"We'll handle it," he murmured against my hair. "First thing—"

A loud knock echoed through the penthouse. We both froze. It was too early. For anyone. Nate grabbed his robe. We walked to the front door together. He checked the security screen.

His body went rigid. "It's your father. And he looks furious."

I stared at the screen. Dad stood there. Leaning on his cane. Face pale and angry. How did he even get here?

Nate opened the door.

"Serena," Dad said. His voice was shaking. He stepped inside. "What the hell is going on? I just got a call from an old friend. Said you're engaged to this man… and that there are lies about me. Lies about me stealing money. Tell me it's not true."

My heart stopped. Behind Dad. In the hallway shadows. I saw a woman watching with cold smile. Diana

She stepped forward. "Hello, Robert. Long time no see. Ready to tell your daughter the truth?"