NIRELLE

Hearing my mom take a deep breath and the silence that followed, even if it was for a few seconds, scared me more than I would like to admit. I don't know who to believe: this billionaire sitting in front of me with cautious eyes and caring for me in ways I didn't think possible, or my mom, who had put years of emotional baggage on me.

"Nirelle," she finally let out, but I could not place the emotions behind her eyes. I wanted to stand in front of her and watch her lie to my face ...