Page 31 of Fake To Forever

“You know, it wouldn’t really matter if you turned down the proposal,” Marie points out with a shrug. “Garrett would never need to know Christian even asked you to marry him.”

That’s true. If I just turned down Christian’s proposal, my brother wouldn’t have to find out about it at all. It would be much easier to say no in that regard. I wouldn’t risk my brother getting upset with me or putting a wedge between him and Christian. Still, I can’t stop thinking about my mom, lying in her hospital bed, wishing her only daughter would find someone to settle down with who would take care of and love her.

So, I guess the real question is, whose happiness is more of a priority to me right now? Mom’s or my brothers?

It’s not even a debate. Mom’s happiness beats out his. Not that I don’t want my brother to be happy, or that I want to upset him in any way, but he’d eventually deal with it one way or another. He might even understand if I explain everything and tell him the truth about my arrangement with Christian.

Mom doesn’t have time to get over anything. If I’m going to fulfill her final wish, this is my best and possibly only chance. Christian has given me an opportunity that I would be foolish to pass up.

Just like that, I realize I’ve already made my decision. There’s very little I wouldn’t do for my family, especially my mom.

“I’m going to say yes,” I blurt, the words past my lips before I fully comprehend that I’m speaking them.

Marie’s eyes shoot up in clear surprise. “Oh… oh! Yeah? Are you sure?”

I nod. “Yeah, I am. It’s a no-brainer when I consider everything objectively. Christian is a good man, and I trust that he’ll hold up his end of this deal. Plus, I can’t just ignore the fact that he’s a billionaire, and I’ll be able to take care of Mom and all her medical bills, so she and Peter don’t have to worry about any of that stuff.”

“Right.” Marie nods. “That all makes sense, but do you really want to marry a man you don’t love? Do you really think that’s what your mom wants?”

I shrug. “I never imagined I’d get married anyway, so it’s not like I’m holding out for ‘the one.’ The proposal shocked me and, admittedly, I didn’t know how to react to it, but now that I’ve thought it over and have had some time to process it, saying yes makes the most sense.”

Marie nods and gives me an exasperated half-smile. “You know, you’re the only person I know who would approach a marriage proposal like this. Still, if you're sure it’s what you want, I support it.”

She lifts her coffee and salutes me with it before taking a sip.

“Thanks,” I murmur, smiling softly.

“Still, that means you will have to deal with Garrett,” she points out.

“Yeah, I know.” I groan, trying not to think about him. “Still, I have a little time before he comes home. I’ll come up with some plan to break it to him so he doesn’t completely freak out.”

Marie chuckles. “Good luck with that.”

My brother is an issue I’ll have to address, but I’ll talk to Christian and maybe we’ll be able to come up with something together. In the meantime, I need to tell my husband-to-be that I’ve made my decision.

Swallowing, I feel a bundle of nerves twist within my stomach. The idea of facing Christian again to accept his proposal makes me more anxious than the thought of telling my brother about my marriage to his best friend. Still, the sooner I tell Christian yes, the sooner I can tell my mom, and the sooner we can get the technical stuff over with… like the wedding.

It shouldn’t be difficult. This is the answer to pretty much all of my problems.

And yet, why do I feel this strange sense of foreboding weighing down my shoulders?

As if I’m going to regret this.

Chapter Twelve: A Ruby Ring

Christian

Waiting for Haven to give me an answer to my proposal is a lot more nerve-wracking than I anticipated. Sitting in my office, I stare at my phone like it’s going to ring any second. The silence in the room is deafening, broken only by the occasional sound of the clock ticking on the wall. Every minute that passes feels like an hour, and it’s taking everything I have not to pick up the phone and call Haven myself.

I’ve never been this anxious waiting for a response. I’m a man who’s used to making decisions, to taking control of situations, but this is different. I’ve put the ball in Haven’s court, and now all I can do is wait. And the waiting is killing me.

Running a hand through my hair, I push back the frustration that’s been building all morning. It’s not just about me—it’s about Oliver. Every second of this custody battle has been about protecting him, about making sure he has the life he deserves. This marriage… it’s a way to secure that. It’s practical, it makes sense, but it’s also more complicated than that, and I know it.

Replaying our conversation in my head, I wonder if I said the right things, if I made it clear that this isn’t just some business transaction. Sure, it started out that way—a way to help both of us, but there’s more to it. More than I was willing to admit last night. More than I’m willing to admit even now.

The truth is, I care about Haven. A lot.

And, yes, I find her attractive. In fact, there are times when I can’t stop thinking about her.

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