All Chapters of Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but I would face them head on. Because she was worth it. She was worth everything."Good morning, Kirsten. How’s your mother doing?” Mr. Reyes greeted warmly as he entered the kitchen, his presence as steady and reliable as ever.I offered him a grateful smile while I focused on preparing the fresh ingredients for the day’s menu. The familiar rhythm of chopping and slicing was soothing, a small reprieve from the worries that clouded my mind. “Good morning, Mr. Reyes. She’s doing much better, thank you for asking,” I replied sincerely. “And… thank you so much for the help. The money you gave us has been a huge blessing. It’s made things easier for her—and for me.”Mr. Reyes crossed his arms, leaning against the counter with a fatherly air. “I’m glad to hear that, Kirsten. Your mother’s health is what matters most. You’ve been working so hard, and you deserve a little support.” His expression softened as he added, “If you ever find yourself in need a

I turned to see my mother stirring, her eyes fluttering open.“Kirsten?” she murmured, her voice faint but filled with warmth.“I’m here, Mom,” I said quickly, moving to her side. “Do you need anything? Water? Another blanket?”She shook her head slowly, a small smile playing on her lips. “No, sweetheart. I just… I wanted to see you. You’ve been working so hard. Are you okay?”Her concern for me, even in her condition, made my chest ache. I forced a smile, brushing a stray hair from her face. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who needs to rest.”She reached for my hand, her grip weak but full of love. “I’m proud of you, Kirsten. I don’t say it enough, but I am. You’re doing so much for us, and I’m so lucky to have you.”Her words shattered the fragile wall I’d been holding up all day. I bent down, pressing my forehead to her hand, tears slipping silently down my cheeks.“You’re my everything, Mom,” I whispered. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re okay. I

I missed the way their staff recognized me, smiling warmly and treating me like I was part of their team, even if only tangentially.But what I missed most—oddly enough—was the fleeting, almost intangible connection to the CEO of the company.I’d never spoken to him directly, never exchanged more than polite nods or the occasional acknowledgment and I never see him around the company. And yet, there was something about his presence that lingered in my mind. The way he carried himself—confident, poised, exuding a quiet authority that seemed effortless.Every time I entered that building, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of admiration. To reach the heights he had achieved, to command such respect and success—it was inspiring. It made me wonder about the journey he had taken to get there. What struggles had he faced? What sacrifices had he made?The mystery of who he really was intrigued me. Was he as composed behind closed doors as he appeared in public? Did he carry the weight of his p

Lilith nodded, her expression thoughtful. “You’re doing what you have to, and that takes strength. But don’t give up on your dreams, okay? This doesn’t have to be the end of your education—it’s just a pause.”Her words were kind, but they couldn’t fully ease the ache in my chest. “I hope so,” I murmured.The rest of the shift passed in a blur of orders and chatter. I threw myself into the work, letting the routine distract me from the lingering sadness.Later, as I was cleaning up for the day, Mr. Reyes approached me, his usual warm but commanding presence filling the room.“Kirsten,” he said, his voice steady, “I heard you talking to Lilith earlier. About school.”I froze, unsure of how much he had overheard. “I… yeah. I had to withdraw,” I admitted.He nodded slowly, crossing his arms. “I know how hard that must have been for you. You’re one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met, and I have no doubt that you’ll find your way back to school when the time is right.”“Thank you,

I ate in silence, the food good enough to satisfy but not enough to distract me from my thoughts. The brief glimpse of Kirsten earlier had stirred something I hadn’t anticipated—a lingering curiosity, perhaps even admiration for how she carried herself despite her obvious struggles.When I finished my meal, I waved over another staff member to settle the bill.“Did you enjoy your meal, sir?” the young man asked politely as he approached.“It was excellent,” I replied, handing him the payment. Then, I paused and pulled out a crisp bill from my wallet. “This is for someone named Kirsten. Please make sure she gets it.”The staff member’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded quickly. “Of course, sir. I’ll make sure she receives it.”“Thank you,” I said, rising from my seat.As I left the restaurant, I cast one last glance toward the kitchen, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But she didn’t come out, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that her absence left behind.Still, I felt a quiet