Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire-Chapter 324: More Than Just a Friend

He noticed the way some of the male staff had been eyeing her whenever he was around, but he’d always brushed it off, telling himself they wouldn’t dare approach her while he was there. Still, the thought of another man getting too close to her unsettled him.

He knew this feeling all too well, it was the same kind of helplessness he felt back when Rain had been caught in her own mess, and he’d been too late to make her see how much he cared.

Now, he didn’t want to make the same mistake again. He didn’t want to let his feelings remain buried deep inside him without confessing them to the one person who mattered most to him.

His hands paused mid-motion as he peeled another piece of fruit, his gaze lingering on Kelly. "I can’t let myself be late again," he muttered under his breath, barely aware he’d said it out loud.

"What?" Kelly asked, her voice light with curiosity. Clifford snapped back to reality, the heat of his emotions simmering just beneath the surface.

"Nothing," he replied quickly, though his voice sounded more strained than he intended. He couldn’t deny the urgency building within him, the need to tell her, to make sure she understood just how much she meant to him.

But as his gaze met hers, the words stuck in his throat, caught between his desire to protect her and his fear of admitting the depth of his feelings.

"Hm, you look distracted," Kelly commented, her sharp gaze studying him so intently that Clifford felt exposed, as though she could see through every wall he’d built around himself.

"So... you’re getting anonymous letters too?" he echoed, his voice a touch sharper than he intended. He forced himself to stay composed, even as a storm brewed inside him.

"Yeah," Kelly admitted, her gaze shifting to the table. "They’re not threatening or anything. Just little notes saying I’m doing great or that they admire me. It’s kind of weird, but... I guess it’s harmless."

The thought of someone, anyone, sending her these letters struck a nerve. Who was watching her so closely? Who thought they had the right to? The questions clawed at him, stirring an uncomfortable jealousy he struggled to suppress.

"Do you know who they are?" Clifford asked, his voice rougher than he intended.

Kelly shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed. "No idea. They never sign their name. It’s probably just someone who thinks I’m pretty or something." She shrugged lightly, but the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes didn’t escape him.

"I don’t like it," he muttered, his tone tense.

Kelly blinked, surprised by the intensity in his voice. "Clifford, it’s okay. I can handle it. They’re just letters. It’s not like they’re threatening me or anything."

"No," Clifford said firmly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It’s not okay."

He tried to hold back, but the thought of someone else admiring her so openly when he himself had been hesitant to say how he felt was unbearable. He clenched his jaw, trying to keep his emotions from spilling over.

Kelly gave him a teasing smile, seemingly oblivious to the storm within him. "You’re really protective, huh?"

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, reaching out to brush a loose strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered longer than he meant them to, and when he finally spoke, his voice was softer, more vulnerable.

"I care about you, Kelly," he admitted, the words coming out unplanned but deeply honest.

Kelly’s eyes widened in surprise, and Clifford’s heart pounded as he realized he’d said it aloud. He hadn’t been ready to confess, but there it was, hanging in the air between them.

A small smile spread across Kelly’s face as she met his gaze, her expression warm and knowing. "I know, Clifford," she said softly.

His eyes widened in shock. "You know?!" he blurted, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Kelly laughed softly, the sound light and comforting, yet it sent his heart racing even more.

"Of course, I know," she said, her smile widening. "Clifford, you’ve been looking out for me since day one. The way you act, the things you do... it’s obvious."

Clifford felt his cheeks burn. He wasn’t sure whether to feel embarrassed or relieved. "I... well, I didn’t think I was being that obvious..." he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck.

Kelly tilted her head, her smile softening. "You care about me, don’t you? More than just as a friend?"

He froze, his heart hammering in his chest. There it was, laid bare. No more hiding, no more avoiding. She’d seen through him all along.

Taking a deep breath, Clifford nodded. "Yes," he admitted, his voice steady now. "I do. More than I probably should... but I can’t help it, Kelly."

Her expression shifted, a mix of warmth and something unreadable. "Why do you think you shouldn’t?" she asked gently, leaning forward slightly.

He let out a shaky laugh. "Because you’re dealing with so much already. I don’t want to make things harder for you. And honestly..." He hesitated, looking down at the table. "I don’t know if I’m good enough for you. You deserve someone who’s... who’s more."

"More?" Kelly repeated, her tone tinged with disbelief. "Clifford, you’ve been here for me through everything. You’ve never judged me, never hesitated to help me, and you’ve done it all without expecting anything in return. How could I want more than that?"

He looked up at her, startled by her sincerity. "You really mean that?"

"Of course, I do," she said firmly. "You’ve been my rock, Clifford. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you."

Her words filled him with a mix of pride and overwhelming emotion. He wanted to say more, to pour out everything he’d been holding back, but instead, he simply reached out and took her hand. "I just want you to be happy, Kelly. That’s all I’ve ever wanted."

Kelly’s eyes softened as she squeezed his hand gently. "You make me happy, Clifford," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Clifford couldn’t look away from her, and the vulnerability in her gaze mirrored his own. He realized then that he didn’t have to rush or push for more. This connection between them, however fragile, was real and for now, it was enough.\