Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Connor didn't bat an eye.

He kept showing Chloe around until they ended up at Willow Tree Wonderland-a cute little amusement park for kids. Everything here had a fruity twist: a cucumber-shaped roller coaster, pumpkin carriage merry-go-round, and even bumper cars shaped like nuts. Chloe perched on the edge of one pumpkin carriage. "Did you come up with all this too?"

Connor lifted his chin, grinning like a kid expecting a gold star. "I did a minor in architectural design back in college. This is just kid stuff."

Chloe couldn't help but chuckle at his playful pride and gave his cheek a gentle squeeze. "You're amazing, you know that?" Connor's face lit up. "Come on, let's try it out!"

They hopped into the pumpkin carriage, and Connor made a quick call to get the ride going. The carriage took off, but this wasn't your typical merry-go-round. It zipped and zoomed across the park, speeding up, slowing down, nearly crashing into an eggplant carriage at one moment and getting surrounded by chili pepper cups the next. Despite the seatbelt, the wild spins made you feel like you might fly out any second.

Chloe instinctively clung to Connor's waist, feeling the thrill and freedom of it all. Each near-miss sent her heart racing, but dodging those obstacles felt exhilarating. She burst into laughter, holding onto Connor, sometimes snuggling close, other times laughing her head off. When the ride finally stopped, Chloe's ponytail had come undone. She laughed, "I thought it was just a merry-go-round, but it turned into a real cliffhanger!"

Connor joined in her laughter. "Then let's call it Cliffhanger!"

Chloe grinned, "That was a blast! I want to try the roller coaster next."

By the end of the day, Chloe had tried everything. Despite the fairy-tale facade, every ride was a heart-pounding adventure. After crawling out of a mine cart tunnel, she lay on the ground, catching her breath. Who would've guessed a bunch of fruit zombies would pop out halfway through?

Connor flopped down beside her. "Did you have fun?"

"Absolutely! Connor, you're a genius. I bet no kid comes out of here without a good scare."

Connor chuckled. "Facing fears is how we become braver. Plus, at least their parents are right there with them."

Chloe turned to Connor, catching a

glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes.

Suddenly, she realized something. Maybe this was Connor's childhood a fairy-tale world filled with danger and fear. For others, it was just a game, but for Connor, it mirrored his own childhood. It was dark, full of fear and persecution, leaving deep scars. Yet, he chose to wrap those memories in beautiful stories, creating a place both strange and enchanting.

Chloe shifted, leaning over Connor "This island has my favorite willow trees and pieces of your past, like our souls are intertwined. Connor, I really love this place."

Connor was taken aback. That was his plan all along, but he never expected Chloe to see through it so easily. He wanted to build a place that held both their histories.