Claimed by Three Billionaires

Chapter 14 – Selene’s POV

It hurt to realize that Nathan had never truly cared about me. And that Julian, the man I gave my body to, had lied to me… who knows why. He had always been cruel with his jokes when we were young. And I couldn’t stop wondering if sleeping with me had been just that. One more joke.

—Roxy has been going to Prospect Park —the shelter manager explained when I arrived—. She sits near the lake in the afternoons. Asks for a few coins… and comes back here at night.

I nodded. I knew how to get there and I had a bit of money. I took a taxi and, with Theo warmly wrapped against my chest, I headed straight to Roxy.

When I arrived, I realized Prospect Park was quiet, deceptively serene. I saw her immediately and sat down beside her without saying a word. Theo rested against my chest, wrapped in my coat.

Roxy smiled when she saw him.

—Look at him… —she murmured—. He looks happy.

I smiled. I had missed her, and I was worried about her. And even though I felt sad and angry about my own situation, I knew my friend had it far worse.

—You shouldn’t have come —she said then—. If you had already settled into a good place, Selene… you didn’t have to come back for me.

I let out a slow breath.

—I wouldn’t have been able to relax if I didn’t come see you —I replied—. And besides… —I pressed Theo closer to my chest— it’s funny that today of all days I realized I’ll most likely end up back at the shelter. I don’t really have anywhere to go.

Roxy frowned, confused.

—What do you mean you don’t? —she asked—. That elegant gentleman who came for you… it’s obvious he’s not going to leave you alone.

I turned my gaze toward the lake. I didn’t want to look at her when I said it.

—I can’t trust him, Roxy. He lied to me. —I paused—. And to make matters worse… he seduced me.

Roxy didn’t react the way I expected when I told her what had happened. She didn’t seem outraged with Julian. She just watched me until she finally spoke.

—Selene… —she stopped, searching for the right words— someone who looks at you the way he does doesn’t pull you out of a shelter just to sleep with you. No one protects you like that by accident. And he certainly won’t let you go —she added softly— if you’ve already given yourself to him.

I closed my eyes.

I was still angry. At Julian. At Nathan. At myself. At my damn situation.

But Theo shifted, instinctively searching for me, and when I rested my chin on his head, I found myself thinking. Julian cared about him. About my son. Not out of obligation… but because it came naturally to him.

That hit me harder than any lie he could have told.

—I don’t like depending on anyone —I confessed.

Roxy smiled, as if she had already known.

—On anyone —she replied—. But that doesn’t mean it’s always a curse.

I saw her open her mouth to say something more. I knew it. She was going to say it. Something important. Something I probably didn’t want to hear.

But she couldn’t.

She coughed.

Once.

Again.

The third time, blood stained her hand.

—Roxy… —I leaned toward her immediately—. Hey, look at me. Breathe with me.

She tried to answer me, but her body suddenly went rigid. Her eyes went blank and the shaking started without warning.

—Help! —I screamed, holding her as best I could without letting go of Theo—. Please!

People stopped. Someone called emergency services. Another person took off their jacket to cover her.

—911, a woman is having a seizure. We’re in Prospect Park, please come immediately.

While help was on the way, all I could think was that I didn’t want anything bad to happen to Roxy. I didn’t want to lose her. She had helped me when I had no one.

When the ambulance finally arrived, it took us to the emergency room, and there time ceased to exist. When I was finally able to think clearly, I knew one thing with painful certainty: I couldn’t do this alone, and no one seemed to care about Roxy.

I went to reception to ask for a phone. I had to call him. I had to.

But then I saw him.

Julian was already there. Standing, impeccable, handsome. His eyes found me immediately.

I froze.

How did he know where I was? I asked myself.

I smiled despite myself. It was ironic. The situation was critical, but seeing him there calmed me.

—You’ve been keeping tabs on me —I said.

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Julian didn’t answer right away. He just watched me for a second, tense, as if measuring how much he could say without breaking something else between us. Then he spoke, confident.

—You shouldn’t have gone out without our driver, and certainly not alone with Nathan —he replied in a low but firm tone—. Why didn’t you try to contact me before getting into the ambulance alone with Theo? That could have been very dangerous, Selene.

I didn’t respond. I assumed he already knew that Nathan had told me the truth. But that didn’t matter right now.

What mattered was that Roxy received medical attention.

—Julian… —I finally said, looking straight at him— can you help me? My friend arrived in really bad shape. Being homeless doesn’t help them want to treat her. Just tell me if there’s anything you can do for her.

That stopped him.

All the reprimand he had prepared hung on his lips. His expression changed. He stepped closer without asking permission and pulled me against his chest with a firmness that left no room for doubt.

And then, with a naturalness that disarmed me, he took Theo from my arms.

—Hello, champ —he said, settling him against his chest—. It’s late… but I’m glad to see you awake.

Theo didn’t cry. He didn’t tense up. He settled in as if that embrace were familiar.

Too familiar.

Julian lowered his voice, resting his forehead lightly against my son’s.

—I promise you nothing bad will happen tonight.

Then he looked at me.

Carefully, he touched my face, as if afraid I might break.

—I know my lie hurt you —he said—. And I’m not going to justify it. But if you trust me… I’ll make sure to show you how much you mean to me. You. And him.

I swallowed.

—This isn’t the moment —I whispered—. Julian, please… can you help Roxy?

He nodded immediately.

—Of course. I’ll take care of everything —he replied—. She’ll receive the best care, I promise you. But you’re going back home. It’s late. Theo needs to rest. And so do you.

I shook my head slowly.

—I don’t want to leave.

—Selene —he said firmly—. It’s not negotiable.

We looked at each other.

I knew he was right. And I also knew something else: with the power he had, he could truly make a difference for Roxy. I couldn’t risk losing that out of pride.

I nodded.

Julian leaned in and kissed me.

It was brief. But charged with something I couldn’t name.

Before we pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine.

—We’ll talk at home, my love —he murmured—. We’ll sort this out.

The ride to the penthouse afterward was quiet. Calm. Far too calm for everything I was carrying inside.

When we finally arrived, I tucked Theo into his crib carefully, as if the world might shatter if I did it wrong. I stayed watching him for a few seconds longer than necessary before turning off the light.

When I was about to order something for dinner, the staff stopped me.

—Ma’am… you have visitors.

I frowned. It was late. Too late.

I went out to the foyer to see who it was.

There was no need to ask who he was.

Even with his back to me, I recognized him immediately.

Grayson…