THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: HIS MAID HAS HIS TWINS

Sophia Peterson’s POV “Be careful with that vase! It’s worth more than your entire year’s salary!” Mrs. Victoria Sutton’s sharp voice echoed through the enormous living room. I quickly adjusted the expensive flower vase on the marble table. “I’m sorry, ma’am.” “You should be. Sometimes I wonder why we still employ people like you.” I lowered my head. Arguing with Mrs. Sutton was the easiest way to lose your job, and losing my job was something I couldn’t afford. My name is Sophia Peterson. I’m twenty-four years old, and for the past three years, I’ve worked as a maid in the mansion of one of New York’s wealthiest families. The Sutton family. Everything inside this mansion screamed money. From the golden chandeliers hanging above the grand staircase to the expensive paintings decorating the walls, even the smallest decorations probably cost more than my mother’s hospital bills. And those bills were the reason I endured everything. My mother had been sick for years. Her treatments were expensive, and every dollar I earned mattered. But there was another reason working here had become difficult. A reason I could never tell anyone. I was hopelessly in love with my employer. Ryan Sutton. Thirty-two years old. Handsome. Powerful. Arrogant. And completely out of my league. He was the kind of man women dreamed about marrying. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair, sharp features, and cold gray eyes that could make anyone nervous. He owned Sutton Enterprises, a billion-dollar company, and appeared regularly on business magazine covers. Unfortunately, Ryan Sutton had the personality of a frozen lake. He rarely smiled. He barely spoke to the household staff unless he needed something. And he certainly never looked at me the way I secretly wished he would. “Sophia!” I turned. Mrs. Sutton was glaring at me. “Are you daydreaming again?” “No, ma’am.” “Then hurry up. The guests will arrive soon.” “Yes, ma’am.” Tonight was supposed to be a special occasion. Ryan Sutton was celebrating his engagement to Vanessa Whitmore. The woman he was going to marry. Just thinking about it made my chest ache. But what right did I have to feel jealous? I was only his maid. And Vanessa Whitmore was everything I wasn’t. Beautiful. Rich. Educated at prestigious universities. Born into one of New York’s wealthiest families. She belonged beside Ryan. I belonged behind him, carrying a tray. By seven o’clock, the mansion was filled with guests. Women wearing expensive gowns laughed beneath sparkling chandeliers. Men in tailored suits discussed business deals over glasses of champagne. Soft music played while waiters moved between the guests. I carried a silver tray of drinks, carefully avoiding the crowd. “Watch where you’re going!” Vanessa’s angry voice stopped me. I looked up. She stood before me in a beautiful red gown, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Miss Whitmore.” She looked at my tray with disgust. “Do you people ever learn how to do your jobs properly?” “I didn’t spill anything, ma’am.” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you arguing with me?” “No, ma’am.” “Then remember your place.” She lifted her left hand, deliberately showing off the enormous diamond ring on her finger. “Once I become Mrs. Sutton, I won’t tolerate incompetent servants.” I swallowed the humiliation. “Congratulations on your engagement, ma’am.” Vanessa smiled proudly. “Of course. Not everyone gets to marry a man like Ryan.” Her gaze moved over my simple black-and-white uniform. “Especially girls like you.” My cheeks burned. Before I could respond, someone spoke behind us. “Vanessa.” My heart skipped. Ryan. He approached us wearing a perfectly fitted black suit. He looked devastatingly handsome. Vanessa’s expression changed immediately. “Darling!” She wrapped her arms around him. Ryan barely smiled. “Mother is looking for you.” “Oh, I’ll find her.” Vanessa kissed his cheek before walking away. I lowered my head. “Excuse me, sir.” I turned to leave. “Sophia.” I froze. “Yes, Mr. Sutton?” “Have you eaten?” The question surprised me. “Not yet, sir.” “It’s almost eight.” “I’ll eat after serving the guests.” He studied me briefly. “Make sure you do.” My heart fluttered. Such a simple sentence. Yet coming from Ryan Sutton, it felt like something precious. “Thank you, sir.” He nodded and walked away. I watched him disappear into the crowd. Stupid heart. Stop falling for a man who will never love you. An hour later, I went upstairs to collect additional champagne glasses. As I passed the guest bedroom, I heard a familiar female voice. Vanessa. I would have continued walking if I hadn’t heard what she said next. “Relax, baby. Ryan suspects nothing.” I stopped. A man’s laughter followed. “You’re really going to marry that arrogant billionaire?” “Of course.” “But you don’t love him.” Vanessa laughed. “Love? Please. Ryan Sutton is worth billions. Do you honestly think I’m stupid enough to reject that?” My stomach tightened. The man spoke again. “What about us?” “Nothing changes between us. Ryan is always busy working. He barely notices what happens around him.” Then came the unmistakable sound of kissing. I covered my mouth. Oh my God. Vanessa was cheating on Ryan. And she was planning to marry him for his money. I stepped backward, my hands trembling. Should I tell him? Would he believe me? I was only a maid. Vanessa was his fiancée. If I accused her without proof, I would probably lose my job. I hurried downstairs, my thoughts spinning. But before I could decide what to do, a loud crash came from the hallway. Everyone turned. Ryan stood near the staircase, his face dark with fury. Vanessa was beside him. And a handsome stranger stood several feet away. “Ryan, please!” Vanessa cried. “Don’t touch me.” His voice was terrifyingly calm. “Darling, you’re misunderstanding everything.” “Misunderstanding?” Ryan laughed bitterly. “I heard enough.” The guests began whispering. Vanessa reached for his arm. “Please, we can discuss this privately.” Ryan pulled away. “There’s nothing to discuss.” He removed the engagement announcement card from a nearby table and dropped it into the wastebasket. “Our engagement is over.” Gasps filled the room. Vanessa went pale. “Ryan!” “Get out of my house.” For several seconds, nobody moved. Then Vanessa burst into tears and hurried toward the entrance. Ryan turned to the guests. “The celebration is finished.” Without another word, he walked upstairs. It was almost midnight when I finished cleaning. Most of the guests had left. The mansion was quiet. As I passed Ryan’s private study, I noticed the door was slightly open. Inside, he sat alone with a bottle of whiskey. His tie was loosened, and his hair was messy. I had never seen him look so defeated. “Mr. Sutton?” He raised his head. “What?” I hesitated. “Would you like some water?” He stared at me. “Why?” “Because you’ve been drinking.” “That’s none of your business.” My face heated. “You’re right, sir. I’m sorry.” I turned to leave. “Wait.” I stopped. Ryan leaned back in his chair. “Come here.” My heart began pounding. I stepped inside. He studied my face for a long moment. “Why are you always so kind to me, Sophia?” I swallowed. “Because you deserve kindness, sir.” He laughed without humor. “Even when I’m an arrogant bastard?” I couldn’t help smiling. “Sometimes.” For the first time that evening, his lips curved slightly. “You’re honest.” “I’m sorry.” “Stop apologizing.” I lowered my eyes. Ryan stood and approached me. Suddenly, the study felt much smaller. “Do you know what Vanessa told me tonight?” I shook my head. “She said nobody could ever love me without loving my money first.” My chest tightened. “That’s not true.” “How would you know?” I looked up. Because I’ve loved you for three years. Because I notice when you’re tired. Because I worry when you skip meals. Because your rare smiles make my entire day better. But I couldn’t say any of those things. Instead, I whispered, “Because not everyone cares about money, Mr. Sutton.” Ryan stared at me. “Do you care about me, Sophia?” My breath caught. “Yes.” “Why?” I struggled to answer. “Because… you’re not as heartless as everyone thinks.” He stepped closer. I could smell his expensive cologne mixed with whiskey. My heart was beating so loudly I feared he could hear it. Ryan slowly lifted his hand. His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from my cheek. I froze. He had never touched me like that before. His gray eyes searched mine. Then he spoke in a low, husky voice. “Tell me something, Sophia. Have you ever wanted a man you knew you could never have?”