Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
More gently than I feel, I tug her out of the alcove, and we return to the party. Upon our reappearance, my father spots us immediately, a smug smile on his face. Everyone gathers in a small circle in the middle of the room. He ushers me over with a wave, and I force a smile, walking slowly toward him.
"Now that my son has joined us, we can start the speeches."
He waves at the client to his left and lets her talk about stocks or some shit. I tune it out and keep my eyes on Bel as she circles the edge of the room. It's not like I need to pay attention. It'll be a year, at least, until I can start at my father's firm anyway. Spencer watches her mom speak about mergers and investment, and when she claps, I clap.
The lights dim, and I peer around the room, confused. What the fuck is happening?
My father surveys the crowd. "As many of you know, my wife has been ill for some time." There's a murmur of sympathies from the crowd, and I clench my fists so hard, my knuckles ache. How dare he bring my mother into this fucking sideshow? “It’s why I’m so thrilled to make the next announcements. It’s a wonderful thing for our families, and it's even more important because of the new investments that will be made in the company."
I try to slink back into the crowd to escape this madness, but his eyes land on me. One single look, and I know if I make another move, I’ll pay dearly for it. "Son, come here and bring your lovely girlfriend with you."
Girlfriend? What the fuck? My lips press into a thin line, and with zero choice, I move us closer to my father, giving him a vicious smile. All teeth and no heart. Spencer blushes beside me at the attention we garner. Everyone gushes and makes comments about how beautiful of a couple we are. If only they knew the truth.
My father grips me by the shoulder hard and turns to the room as if he's looking for something. "Ah, young lady, please bring your tray over. We need to make a toast."
I realize he's motioned to Bel, and she looks like she'd rather be anywhere but here. Regardless, she weaves through the crowd and extends the tray to my father. She keeps her eyes on the floor, refusing to look at me. I can’t say I blame her. My father gives her a grateful smile and passes flutes of champagne to me, Spencer, her mother, and then takes one for himself.
"It's my pleasure to announce the engagement of my son, Drew, to Ms. Spencer Kelly. With their marriage, we'll join our two great firms and become an unstoppable powerhouse.”
There's a pause before the crowd applauds, but I hear nothing and see nothing. Nothing but Bel’s horrified expression. Every single part of me wishes to reach for her and explain that it isn’t what she thinks, but I can’t. I can't fucking fix it, not here in front of everyone in this room.
Spencer grabs my hand, and my father comes over to shake my other hand, pressing something hard into my palm. "Do it. Now."
I glance down to find a velvet ring box. Is he fucking kidding me?
Spencer pulls me back to her side, and I feel like a Ping-Pong ball with no control over my landing. A familiar ache in my chest threatens to drown me. No. I can't do this. When I don't hold out the ring, Spencer opens the box for me and gasps.
I stare down at the glittering diamond and band that has to be at least two carats. Of course my father would spare no expense on my fake engagement ring. Spencer slips the ring onto her finger and waves it out in front of the crowd. Holy shit, she is even crazier than I thought. This is merely an act. She can’t actually think that I’ll marry her, right? She turns to face me and lifts her chin like she wants a kiss. My father squeezes my shoulder, and once again, I'm stuck between them. I lean down and brush her cheek with my lips. It's not really a kiss. It's not real, either way.
When I stand again, Bel is in my vision, and I freeze. She looks...broken. Turned inside out. This is my fault, and causing her this kind of pain is something else entirely from the pain I enjoy causing her. She takes a wobbly step back, and I spot Sebastian in the crowd. He’s directly behind her now, and for once, I'm glad to see them together. At least he can get her out of here, save her from me, and what I might do if I get her alone again.