Page 46 of Fake To Forever

There’s a pause, followed by a low chuckle. “That bad, huh?”

I shake my head, though I know he can’t see me. “Worse than I expected. She’s not handling the news well, which isn’t exactly a surprise.”

“Let me guess,” my dad says, his tone knowing, “she’s convinced this engagement is a sham?”

“Exactly,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “She basically accused me of using Haven to win the custody case.”

He lets out a low sigh. “She’s trying to rile you up, Christian. She’s always known how to push your buttons.”

“Yeah, and she’s doing a damn good job of it,” I admit. “But the thing is, I don’t think she’s going to let this go. She’s already been spreading rumors back in the city—painting me as the bad guy, telling anyone who’ll listen that I’m manipulating the system to take Oliver away from her.”

There’s a brief silence on the other end of the line, and I can tell my dad’s thinking. He’s always been methodical like that, never reacting on impulse.

“You’ve got the advantage in this case, Christian. The courts don’t care about rumors. They care about facts, and the fact is, you’ve been there for Oliver, stable and reliable. Theresa’s the one who’s been erratic, dragging him through this media circus.”

“I know,” I say, though the frustration still lingers. “But she’s making it harder than it needs to be. If she wasn’t constantly stirring up trouble, we could have worked something out that actually benefited Oliver.”

“That’s not who she is,” my dad says, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “You’ve known that since the day she left.”

He’s right. I knew who Theresa was long before this battle for custody started, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Every move she makes feels like an attack, not just on me, but on Oliver’s future.

“And Haven?” my dad asks, shifting the conversation. “How’s she handling all of this? I can’t imagine it’s easy for her, either.”

I pause, thinking about how much Haven has taken on. I told my dad the truth about our arrangement and how it benefits the both of us several days ago. It didn’t feel right lying to him when I knew he’d understand what we were doing. To my relief, not only is he supportive, but he seems to have a growing admiration for Haven, even though they haven’t met yet.

“She’s been… incredible,” I say, surprising myself with how much emotion is in my voice. “She’s handling everything better than I could’ve hoped, but I can tell it’s wearing on her. I’m asking a lot from her.”

Our engagement is meant to help both of us, but she’s having to deal with so much more from me. The attention of the paparazzi, the pressure of the custody battle, and the expectations that come with marrying someone of my wealth and prestige. Though she’s holding her head up high and hasn’t made a single complaint, I know all this is having an effect on her.

When Dad speaks, there’s something thoughtful in his tone. “She must be special. It’s not easy to stand by someone in a situation like this, especially when you’re up against someone as vicious as Theresa.”

“She is special.” The words come out before I can stop them. I realize as I say it that I mean it more than I expected. “At first, it was just about the arrangement, you know? Something that made sense for both of us, but… now, I don’t know. It’s starting to feel like more than that.”

“And that’s where it gets complicated. You’re already in deep, Christian. Marriage, even for practical reasons, doesn’t come without feelings eventually getting tangled up.”

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “It’s already complicated. We’re telling everyone this engagement is real, and the more we play the part, the more I start thinking… I don’t know. I can’t afford to think too much about it. Not when I need to focus on Oliver.”

“You’ll have to figure that out sooner rather than later,” he says. “But be careful. Haven’s taking on a lot to help you, and if this turns into something real for you, you owe it to her to be honest about your feelings. She’s not just a pawn in this, Christian.”

“I know,” I say, my voice soft. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I don’t want to hurt her. I also don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.”

“You’ll do the right thing, son. You’ll do right by that girl, one way or another.”

“I’ll figure it out,” I say finally, more to myself than to him.

“I know you will,” my dad replies. “Just don’t let Theresa drag you down in the process. Keep your head on straight. You’ve got the upper hand here.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime, Christian. I’m always here if you need advice.”

We say our goodbyes, and I hang up, staring at the phone for a long time. Dad’s right about everything—about Theresa, about the custody case, and about Haven. I need to keep my focus on what’s best for Oliver, but I also need to be honest with myself about how I feel about Haven because if I’m not careful, this could turn into something real… and I’m not sure either of us is ready for that.

Chapter Eighteen: Moving In

Haven

The last box hits the floor with a soft thud, and I take a step back, wiping the back of my hand across my forehead. Moving into Christian’s house—ourhouse, for now—feels surreal. It’s not like I didn’t know this was coming, but standing here, surrounded by boxes of my things, in this sprawling, pristine home, suddenly feels a lot more real.

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