The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride by Nadia Lee

Chapter Thirty-Four

Yuna

I don’t know how long I wait, hunched in the uncomfortable plastic seat. As the minutes tick by, my nerves grow tauter and tauter.

Declan stays with me the entire time, patting my shoulder periodically. Although he’s acting like it’s nothing for him to stay with me, I know he has better things to do with his time. Like meet with Tim.

But I’m glad Declan’s here. Court, Edgar, Nate and Wyatt are busy with their women. And I’m sure Jo and Evie are wondering how bad Ivy’s labor is, since they’re both expecting.

It’s almost ten p.m. now. Ivy said she didn’t want to do a C-section, but it’s been too long, hasn’t it? My stomach’s so tight that I can’t drink anything, even though Declan offers me water.

Tony finally comes out, his eyes bloodshot and hair messy. He looks so haggard, if I didn’t know better, I might think he went through the labor himself. Given how much he loves Ivy, he might as well have—emotionally, at least.

Without thinking, I reach for Declan’s hand, and he squeezes me back.

Tony takes a deep breath. “Thanks for waiting, everyone. Ivy had the twins, and you all can go say hello to the little ones.”

My shoulders sag with relief, then I smile as joy courses through me.

“Finally!” Nate says.

“How’s she doing?” I ask.

Tony smiles. “Both mother and children are fine. Tired, but fine.”

Thank God.I start to stand up, then wince when my legs refuse to support me. My whole body aches, and I realize I’ve been tense for hours. My shoulders burn worse than the time I practiced the piano for seven hours straight just to annoy my dad and show him I wasn’t going to give up on music.

Declan catches my wrist. “You okay?”

“Just a little stiff.”

Tony notices Declan. “Are you Declan Winters?” he asks, coming over.

“Yes. You’re Tony, right?” Declan extends a hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

They shake hands. Tony casts a glance at me, then looks back at Declan. “So you’ve been here all this time?”

“Yeah, well…” Declan tightens his hold on me, just strongly enough to let me know he’ll make sure I don’t fall. “Yuna needed some support, too.”

And I’m very grateful.

Tony clears his throat and doesn’t ask Declan to call him Anthony the aloof way he does with almost everyone. “Want to come in and see the babies? My wife’s a big fan. Seeing you is going to be the cherry on top of an already amazing ice cream sundae.”

That’s true. I glance at Declan, hoping he’ll stay and say hello to Ivy.

“Well…sure,” Declan says. “Why not?”

“Thank you.” I beam at him. “She’s going to be thrilled.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” The door opens, and Ryder Reed bursts through with a huge bouquet of red roses. “Sorry about the boring flowers. They were all I could get when I landed, but I couldn’t miss this.”

“Hey! I didn’t think you could make it,” Tony says to his best friend.

“The damned flight was delayed, and then there was traffic. But I’m here now. And my assistant made sure to bring the gifts I commissioned for the little ones. You know I’m going to make Ivy’s day.”

“She’s too used to you now. Besides, she has a fresh celebrity to adore.”

“What? She’s cheating on me?” Ryder looks around, then his eyes land on Declan. “Oh, hey. Declan Winters, right?”

“Yup.” They shake hands.

“My wife’s a big fan of your show,” Ryder says. “She re-watches it all the time with our kid. Says it’s more wholesome than the action flicks I made, although our daughter loves the explosions. She laughs every time.”

Nate stares at Ryder, his jaw slack. “Did you watch them with her behind Paige’s back?”

“Obviously. I can’t have my child not know how awesome I am. Don’t worry, they were PG-13.”

“She’s four!” Tony points out.

“But I was with her, so our average age works out to be about nineteen.”

I roll my eyes at Ryder’s ridiculous logic. But no matter how egotistical he can get, he’s crazy about his wife and child, and you just can’t hate a guy who’s that devoted to his family.

“You are never babysitting our kids,” Tony says to Ryder. Then he turns to us. “Let’s go in. Ivy’s dying to show off the twins.”

Yes! Finally!

Excitement and anticipation spark through me. I just know Sebastian and Katherine are going to be the cutest and most precious angels ever!

Tony leads us into the recovery room where Ivy’s resting in bed. Her hair’s still a little damp and sticking to the edges of her face and neck, and she looks a little pale except for her cheeks, which are flushed with pleasure.

Declan was right when he said the doctors would make sure she’s okay.

The room’s already full of flowers and fruit baskets. Tony must’ve arranged for them when he reserved the suite for her. Now I’m slightly ashamed that I forgot to get something. I’m so used to having Ms. Kim take care of that sort of thing that it escaped my notice. I add “buy flowers, chocolates and balloons” to my to-do list. Ivy and the twins deserve all that and more.

Ivy smiles at us, cradling a tiny human in each arm. She’s glowing like the moon.

We wash our hands in the en suite bathroom. I get to be the first and rush to Ivy as soon as I’m done.

“How are you feeling?” I ask. Although she looks okay, I want to hear her say it.

“I’m fine. Want to hold the twins?”

“Yes.” I reach out and take the closest one. There’s a blue hat on his small skull, leaving Ivy with the one with a purple hat. “Sebastian, right?”

“Yep.”

“He’s perfect.” I dip my head and inhale the newborn scent. “And smells so good too. And super cuddly.”

Ivy smiles.

“I’m going to spoil him and Katherine until they don’t know what hit them,” I say.

Ivy laughs a little, and I sense Declan moving toward us. Time to shock and delight her!

Grinning mischievously, I tilt my head in Declan’s direction. “Guess who’s here?”

Ivy’s eyes follow the direction of my head jerk, then widen. “Oh my God. Is that…?”

“Yup. Declan Winters, in the flesh. Declan, this is my soul sister Ivy.”

Declan smiles. “Nice to meet you. And congratulations.”

Ivy squeals a little, her cheeks red. “Thank you.”

“I want to see the babies better!” Kim’s barely restrained as she comes out of the bathroom. “And take pictures! And hold them! I’m clean now!”

Tony laughs. “Fine, fine. Meet Sebastian and Katherine.” His grin is so wide, so full of joy, that my heart flutters.

Evie moves closest to Ivy. “Oh my goodness, they’re gorgeous,” she says softly, her eyes on the twins. “Is it okay if I hold them?”

“Sure,” Ivy says.

Then it’s everyone trying to line up to hold the twins. Since I already held Sebastian, I cuddle with Katherine before anybody else.

She’s tiny—smaller and lighter than her twin brother. I think my hands put together are bigger than she is. I look at her and Sebastian. They barely open their eyes, like they can’t seem to get used to the brightness or all the sound around them. I’m sure it’s nothing like how it was in Ivy’s womb, where it was warm and dark and safe.

Don’t worry. I’m going to keep you safe, too.They’re Ivy’s children, so that makes them mine to take care of, too. I have huge plans to pamper them.

“They’re so cute. Are they supposed to be this small?” Edgar says.

“They’re twins,” Ivy says. “So yes.”

“But they have everything they’re supposed to,” Jo says, getting teary. “Ten little fingers and ten little toes.”

“They’re the most perfect babies ever. Who came out first?” I ask.

“Sebastian,” Tony says.

“He’s handsome, like me,” Ryder says.

“It’s my kid,” Tony says.

“Yeah, but he’s handsome. Like me.”

I laugh when Ryder waggles his eyebrows. It’s so like him, but then he is surreally good looking.

“And I got them something to make them even more handsome, again like me.” He pulls out two gorgeous deep navy and silver boxes. “Ankle bracelets with their names. Made with pure white gold to avoid any metal allergies. Custom designed and crafted in Italy, baby.” He grins at the twins. “When you have an awesome godfather like me, you can get all the nice things in the world.” He makes weird baby noises as he puts the shiny jewelry around their tiny ankles.

I watch enviously because I wish I could give them something nice too. Except my accounts are still frozen. Damn Eugene.

“Who says you’re going to be their godfather?” Tony jokes.

“Who else is deserving of that title, huh?”

Ryder and Tony bicker while I admire the anklets. They’re simply gorgeous. I also love the little diamond accents on each side of their names.

Ivy yawns, her eyelids drooping. Tony rubs her shoulder gently, love shining in his green eyes.

I look at my soul sister and what she has—a doting husband, two amazing babies. Even though the room’s full of people, their love binds them into a special unit. It’s what enables them to fight everything together, endure every hardship together, and share every bit of joy with each other.

It’s exactly what I want to have. A longing pierces my heart until it feels ready to burst with happiness for her and envy for what she has. And the fact that I’m jealous at all makes me feel pathetic and small. I should only feel happiness for her. Ivy fought so, so hard for what she has.

I wish I could stay longer, but Ivy’s clearly exhausted. And Evie and Jo must be tired, too.

We exchange hugs and cast more adoring looks at the twins, then leave the family of four behind.

“Do you need a ride?” Nate asks as we pour out into the hall.

“I can drop her off,” Declan says before I can respond.

Great minds think alike. I was hoping to go with him. “What he said.”

“It’s no problem,” Court says.

“I have some stuff to discuss with her,” Declan adds.

“Okay, then. See you later, Yuna,” Court says.

“See you.”

We say all goodbye to one another. Nate and Edgar whisk Evie and Jo away pretty quickly. Kim and Wyatt leave hurriedly too, since they have a small kid and a sitter waiting at home. Court walks off with Pascal. And Ryder follows them out.

I walk down the hospital corridor slowly, realizing that all I have to go back to is an empty mansion. My knees feel like jelly after all the tension. It’s happened a few times before. Although this lightheadedness is new.

Declan looks at me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. The day couldn’t have ended better.”

“I wasn’t asking about the day. You look tired. And pale.”

“It’s just late.” I look up at him. Staying up has put lines around his gorgeous eyes, too. “Thank you. Really. It was nice of you to stay.”

“My pleasure. You want to grab something to eat?” he asks.

I should probably go home instead of taking up more of his time. But I don’t want to be alone just yet. Not after what I saw in the recovery room. Besides, Declan needs to eat, too. “Sure,” I say.

“What are you in the mood for?”

“Pizza, maybe? Is there anything open this late, though? Or do they deliver when it’s after eleven?”

“Are you kidding? This is L.A. Delivery at my place good?”

“Sure.” It means I won’t have to go home. I’ll be going to Declan’s home and spending more time with him.

Ooh, a young woman and a young man together, alone, late at night,an excited voice that sounds suspiciously like Ivy says in my head.

I’m not going to jump him over a pizza.But it sounds unconvincing even to me, as my mind is already replaying the kiss we had. Since then, though, we haven’t done anything. And I’m not sure if I’m ready to go further than that with Declan.

I’ll split a bottle of wine with him before I make up my mind. As happy as I am for Ivy and Tony, I want some alcohol to soothe the weird emptiness that’s settled over me. Maybe it’s just low blood sugar. Or maybe it’s a feeling of sadness that I’m nowhere near close to having a perfect family like they have. I really don’t want a cold future like my brother has, where the husband sends lawyers to deal with a car accident his wife is involved in, without a single warm word for the wife. The loving marriage my parents have is pretty rare among chaebol. I know that. But still…

I shake myself mentally. I’m not thinking straight. Food should pull me out of this weird funk. So that way, if we repeat the kiss—or take things further—it won’t be because I’m lonely. Declan deserves a woman who wants him, not an emotional bandage.

Declan drives. The streets are relatively empty. I look out the windows, and everything seems to go blurry. The next thing I know, Declan’s pulling into his home in Malibu.

“Yuna, we’re here,” he says gently.

“I know. I’m awake now.” I try to blink the sleep away. I wish I could have coffee. But it’s too late, and I don’t want to stay up all night.

“You must be really tired.”

“I feel bad because you were driving.” I’m supposed to be his assistant, but right now I feel like he’s the one doing the assistant’s job. And being a chauffeur.

“I can operate on little sleep. Besides, I don’t mind a quiet drive.”

“Okay.” My head is still slightly foggy. Once I’m out of the car, I feel better as I breathe in the cool night air coming off the Pacific.

We start to walk toward his home, and the pizza arrives. Declan gives me the keys to unlock his house while he deals with the delivery guy.

I open the door, and he carries the still-hot pizza into the kitchen. My stomach growls loudly.

“Hungry?” he says.

“Yeah.” I sigh with appreciation. “Who knew a bunch of carbs and grease could smell like heaven?” My belly makes another noise.

Declan laughs. “Your stomach, apparently.”

I giggle. “Sorry. I can’t make it shut up.”

“Sure you can. Just eat some of what’s in the box.”

I put his keys on the kitchen counter, and he grabs everything we need for our meal. Just as I sit down…another embarrassingly loud growl.

“How come yours is so quiet?” I eye his midsection suspiciously.

He puffs his chest out. “Because I’m a man. The strong, silent type.”

I laugh. “Strong, okay. I’ve seen you work out. Don’t know about silent. Did you eat something behind my back?”

“Nope.” He moves so that he’s directly, conspicuously opposite me and smiles. “I’ve been very careful to eat right in front of you.” He places a huge slice on my plate and passes it over, then gives himself one. “I’m an up-front kind of guy.”

“That’s true.” And it’s nice to be around a man whose motives I don’t have to guess at, like I do at times because of the money I have, the connections and network I can access and my family’s position in society. I take a bite of the pizza. Yum. It tastes amazing. “This is great.”

“You could be having a kale and brussels sprout salad and probably say the same.” He bites into his slice.

“No, my stomach’s never that desperate. It’s the pizza. They put some kind of magical crack on it.”

“It’s called not eating anything for almost half a day. Whets the appetite.” Declan sighs with contentment. “Something to drink?”

“In a minute. I don’t want to distract myself from this.”

He grunts in agreement.

After we polish off our first slices, Declan gives me the option of rosé or iced tea. I choose the wine, and we share half a bottle. The alcohol’s good, just enough to mellow me out some, especially combined with the carb rush I’m getting from the pizza.

“Those babies were really cute,” he says.

“Oh my God, they’re adorable. I’m so happy for her.” I sigh, half with longing and half with happiness myself. But then I decide I’m mostly content. Even if I don’t have what Ivy has right now, it’s enough that things are good for her and the twins are healthy.

“You like kids,” he says.

“Yeah, as long as they’re civilized.”

“Civilized?”

I laugh a little. “Of course. You can’t spoil out-of-control kids because they’re already spoiled rotten, and what they need is discipline. Anyway, I’m the awesomest aunt ever.”

A small smile curves his lips. “How many nephews and nieces do you have?”

“One in Korea and now two here. You just saw them tonight. I love buying gifts for them. It’s the best part of being an aunt. I want their rooms to be stuffed full of things I’ve bought for them.” Mentioning my nephew in Korea makes me wonder if Minho’s doing okay. His mom should’ve been discharged and everything should be back to normal by now. Still, something about Eugene’s tone during that call bugs me. He didn’t have to sound so unsympathetic. Hopefully he faked it better in front of his son and wife.

“What did you send your nephew in Korea?”

“Well, nothing on this trip, since my accounts are still frozen.” I sigh glumly. Damn Eugene. It’s all his fault Minho’s without a gift from his auntie. And how am I going to spoil Sebastian and Katherine? I want to go shopping and get them something as nice as what Ryder bought for them.

Declan looks bemused. “How can your brother have that much power over your finances? Isn’t your money under your control? You have your own bank accounts and stuff, right?”

I make a face. It’s embarrassing to have to admit how naïve I’ve been. “I was stupid enough not to ask for my own separate stuff. My family has a huge trust that we can draw money from. It’s never been a problem before, but I should’ve realized they could block it to force me to do something if they wanted. I just never expected that anything like that would happen.” Traitors.

Declan shrugs. “If you want, I can give you my card and you can put your nephew’s gifts on it. I don’t mind. Honest.”

I stare at him in surprise. I routinely offer to buy things for people, but that’s because I have the money, and I like doing it for people I love. But the idea of taking someone else’s money to spend just feels weird. Other than my family and really close friends, the people I know don’t offer to give me anything. They tend to want things—usually favors that involve hooking them up with business opportunities through my network.

And I’m feeling vaguely flustered that Declan’s trying to give me a credit card for my personal use, when he knows I can’t give him anything in return. My family isn’t involved in Hollywood, and it’s not like he needs money.

“Thanks, but I can’t do that,” I say, running my suddenly damp hands down my dress.

“It’s no big deal. I’d like to do it for you.” He adds, “If it bugs you that much, you can pay me back later.”

“It isn’t that. I’m just not used to accepting money from people in general.”

“You take money from your family.”

“Family isn’t ‘people in general.’”

He is getting a stubborn gleam in his eyes. “I’m not ‘people in general,’ either. Besides, I like spending money on people I care about.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t know my nephews and niece well enough to say that.”

“I wasn’t talking about them.” His voice is soft as he levels his gaze on mine.

My heart does a little dance, and I feel slightly lightheaded. Is he trying to say he cares about me? Maybe I shouldn’t have had the wine this late, because it’s making it hard to think.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay. And if money can do that, well, why not? That’s why I make money in the first place. To splurge on people I like.” He clears his throat and shifts a little.

I don’t respond because my sleep-deprived and sluggish brain is trying to process what he just said. I think what he feels is more than just “caring about me.” I’m pretty certain he’s saying he likes me, although that seems to make him feel slightly awkward from the way he’s clearing his throat now. He’s not used to saying things like this, is he? It’s sweet, and it makes my heart flutter.

And I think I like him, too.

“Thank you, but it’s okay,” I say. “You already did enough.”

“I did?”

“Uh-huh. You spent your entire Friday evening and night and Saturday morning with me. That means a lot.” The words slip out before I can catch myself.

“Anybody would’ve done that,” he says, his eyes soft and gentle.

“I don’t know that many who would’ve.” I glance away, wistful. Then, after a moment of looking out into the darkness, I turn back to him. “Most wouldn’t.”

I know from the way he’s frowning at me that I’m not wearing the right mask right now. My mouth is probably set in a sad line. I force myself to smile.

“Well, they’re idiots, then,” he says tersely.

My smile turns genuine. I’ve been told my needs are too clingy more than once. By Eugene. And other chaebol heiresses I hang out with. Husbands are supposed to have ambitions. And those don’t include coddling high-maintenance wives. Every second of their lives should be allocated to expanding their financial empires. Or building their careers and realizing their ambitions.

Even my parents… Well, Dad loves Mom and makes sure to take time to do things with her, but he also spends more energy on Hae Min than anything else. If I had to put it into numbers, I’d say ninety percent of his energy goes to Hae Min and the rest for Mom and us.

At least Dad wouldn’t be so cold and unfeeling if Mom were to get into an accident. But that’s setting the bar damn low.

“Maybe you’re right,” I say softly.

Declan nods. “I am right. You shouldn’t let them bring you down. They aren’t worth it, and you deserve better.”

My heart grows full over how firmly and explicitly Declan tells me I deserve what I want.

I move, purely on instinct. There’s a magnetic pull between us that I can’t resist.

My lips brush against his, the touch featherlight. I do it again, our breath mingling, tickling my cheeks. But instead of making me want to giggle, it makes me hot. His mouth is firm but soft. I like the masculine texture of it, the slightly scratchy feel of his jaw against my skin.

Declan goes still for a second, then tilts his head and draws me in, pressing more firmly. His lips part. His tongue invades.

And I know I want to spend the rest of this early Saturday with him.