Page 45 of My Big, Fat, Fake Billionaire Wedding

After dinner, we circulate through the crowd. Gideon introduces me to so many peopleI’ve lost track, but he stays close, his hand never leaving the small of my back for long.

“Mrs. King, what a pleasure,” says a tall woman with sharp features and an accent I can’t quite place. “I’m Lady Montgomery. Your husband has been such a generous supporter of our international literacy program.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Montgomery,” I say, smiling. “Gideon hasn’t told me much about his charitable work yet.”

Her smile tightens almost imperceptibly, and I realize too late I’ve somehow erred again.

Oh god, what now?

Gideon smoothly interjects, “Lady Montgomery just returned from opening a new library in Tanzania, didn’t you? She was telling me earlier about how the local children had prepared a special welcome ceremony.”

As he continues the story, he naturally works in “Lady Montgomery” several times.

Ah.LadyMontgomery. That’s what I missed.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say after a few minutes of conversation that leaves my head spinning with all the social landmines I’m navigating, “I need to find the ladies’ room.”

Gideon nods, though I catch a flash of concern in his eyes. “Diana will accompany you.”

Sure enough, my female security detail materializes at my side as I make my way across the ballroom. She guides me to a hallway that leads to what is undoubtedly the fanciest bathroom I’ve ever seen. All marble and gold fixtures, with an attendant handing out towels.

After splashing cold water on my wrists (not my face—I’d rather die than ruin the makeup that took asmall eternity and three YouTube tutorials to get right), I take a deep breath.

You can do this, Ava. It’s just one night. One very long, very uncomfortable night.

When I exit, I nearly collide with a woman in a skin-tight red dress. Her sleek dark hair falls in perfect waves, and her sharp gaze immediately makes me feel like I’ve been found wanting. Her surgically weaponized chest is practically saluting, those fake tits perched like they’re auditioning for a porn reboot ofTitanic.

“Soyou’rethe flavor of the month.” She grimaces, looking me up and down with an expression that suggests she’s found something unpleasant on the bottom of her designer shoe. “Gideon always did have eccentric taste.”

“I’m sorry, you are...?” I ask, though I immediately know this must be Vanessa Clarke, the ex-fling mentioned in my extensive briefing documents.

“Vanessa Clarke,” she confirms condescendingly. Her smirk is tighter than her botox. “Gideon and I have history.Deephistory. The kind that doesn’t just disappear because he’s playing house with his latest toy. That ring your wearing is rightfully mine.”

Diana shifts beside me, and I can tell she’s ready to intervene. But this is my battle to fight.

“That’s funny,” I say, forcing a smile that probably looks more like a grimace. “Because when Gideon gave me this ring, your name never came up. Were you perhaps listed under ‘miscellaneous’?”

Her eyes narrow, and her lips twist in anger. “Mouthy little bitch.” She straightens to her full height, and I sense Diana tensing beside me. “You really think it’s going to last? Gideon Kingdoesn’t do relationships. Tell me, did you trap him somehow? A happy accident, perhaps?”

My face feels hot again, anger mixing with humiliation. “I think this conversation is over.”

“It’ll be over when he gets bored,” she hisses. “And healwaysgets bored. Ask me how I know.”

I’m frantically trying to formulate a response that won’t result in a society page scandal when a warm hand slides around my waist.

“Vanessa,” Gideon says, his voice glacial despite the polite smile on his face. “I see you’ve met my wife.”

The possessive arm around my waist tightens slightly, and I find myself leaning into him instinctively.

“Just girl talk,” Vanessa says with a brittle laugh. “Catching up on old times.”

“How disappointing then, that there are no old times for you to share with Ava,” Gideon replies smoothly. “What you and I had was brief and ultimately forgettable. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my wife and I have guests to attend to.”

He steers me away, leaving Vanessa seething behind us. When we’re out of earshot, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Thanks for the rescue,” I murmur.

“Rescuing each other is part of the arrangement, isn’t it?” he replies, but his expression is unusually gentle.

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