My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire

"Come on, just say it! We're all hanging here waiting for you."

Erin prodded impatiently when no one spoke up.

Ryan stayed silent.

Erin turned her attention to Ellie instead. "Oh, for crying out loud, if he won't talk, you spill the beans! What's the deal? Did you run into some jerk? Are there any messy love triangles going on? We're all friends here, nothing to hide, right?"

Ryan and Lewis exchanged confused glances, clearly ignored.

Oddly enough, Erin's directness made Ellie feel a bit lighter. She realized, why was she the one feeling bad? She wasn't the one who messed up.

She began, "I had a boyfriend... well, not really a boyfriend. More like someone I was interested in. He paid off my housekeeper to try and kill me because I've got a life insurance policy, and he's the beneficiary."

Erin bit into a pistachio. "Wait, hold on. This guy you're just into... and you made him the beneficiary of your life insurance? Girl, you're acting like a total simp."

Ellie blinked, taken aback. That word stung more than she expected.

She wanted to argue, but the words didn't come. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized Erin was right.

She looked down at her hands.

"No, seriously, what's going on with you? You're young and gorgeous, and you come from a great family. Why are you throwing yourself at some guy like this?"

Erin pressed on.

voice dropped. "Because... he saved my life

A classic trauma bond. PTSD, right? Someone saves you, and now he's your hero, and you're

yesterday. You're not about to fall in

look. "Would you stop talking

feel bad for Lewis over here. He's got to watch out for both you Cobb siblings. Not only the brother but the sister, too? Wow, Lewis, you've got your hands

person I need to

her hands. "Oh no, no need! I'm

cleared her throat. "I don't

maybe you'd finally give up on

back to Ellie. "So you've been simping for this guy, and he turned around and paid your housekeeper

Ellie nodded.

your

it's the one

"What time did you

me the gate was blocked. I ended up leaving a little later, around 9:55, to check what

told you the gate was

"The butler."

over at

her meaning and quickly said, "The butler's

Keira's expression darkened.

to happen right at 10:00. If Ellie had gone downstairs even a minute earlier

too perfect to be

you went downstairs, did someone prompt