Page 41 of The Bad Boy's Fake Wife

“That’s not what I—” I cut Emma off by squeezing her hand to remind her that we’re here to please these people, not act out. Emma does keep quiet after that, but she looks very displeased about it.

Ralph leaves soon after, but not before requesting that she send him copies of all her work. I know from the set of her jaw that she doesn’t plan on doing that anytime soon.

“Who collects books and never reads them?” Emma mumbles after he leaves. “Do you realize how wrong that is? To collect books and not read them!”

“To be fair, I have a lot of books I haven’t gotten around to reading,” I say sheepishly.

Emma shrugs. “That’s different. You bought the books with the intention of reading them.”

I did, but I also don’t think what Ralph does deserves this kind of anger. Emma, on the other hand, is pissed, and I don’t think that’s a good image for the perfect marriage that people think we have.

After a while, I leave her with Reed to take a breather. She’s in good hands with him, so I step outside onto the balcony to get some fresh air.

“Jonathan! Fancy seeing you here,” an all-too-familiar voice says from behind me, and I have to suppress a groan. I turn around to find Jessica, my ex, giving me a smile that’s meant to be sweet, but it only makes her look sickly.

“Jessica,” I say, tight-lipped. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

Jessica shrugs as she takes a step forward, almost leaning into me. My muscles tense, a sharp instinct warning me to put space between us. I take several steps back until my back hits the railing of the balcony.

“How delightful it is to run into you,” she coos. “It’s almost like we were meant to meet.”

“It almost feels intentional,” I say, which she ignores. Jessica reaches out with one hand, and I pull away like she’s made of fire. Her smile falters for a split second, a flash of irritation crossing her face before she masks it with another coy expression.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I warn her.

Jessica pretends to not know what I’m talking about. “What do you mean?”

“Touching me, trying to kiss me like you did a few weeks ago,” I say. “I’m done with you, so I’d rather you didn’t touch me at all, or even talk to me.”

Jessica looks wounded, but I know it’s all for show. “But why? What did I ever do to you?”

“I’m married,” I remind her. “In case you’ve forgotten, I have a wife who’s in that room over there, and I won’t disrespect her.”

Jessica shrugs as though she thinks it’s not that big of a deal. “So? A wife never stopped anyone from having fun.”

I stare at her, unblinking. Her hand is on my arm again, brushing down the length of it.

“That’s how I met you, you know? I had a husband, and I chased after you,” she says with a sneer that makes my stomach churn.

“And that’s why I left you. I’m not like you, Jessica. I don’t dally with people who are disloyal and devoid of morals.” I begin to step out of the way, but she holds onto my arm, her nails painfully digging in.

“I’ll ruin the good thing you have going on,” Jessica promises. “It’s because of you that my husband left me. I won’t have you leading a good life while mine goes to ruin. I was supposed to get my revenge when I partnered with your cousin to have your company ruined, but he had no idea what he was doing.”

I stare at her in shock. I had no idea that she was working with Zain. I realize then that this is sabotage, too—the public won’t take it lightly if I cheat on Emma.

“This isn’t over!” she calls after me. “There’s one more card we’re yet to play.”

“It’s not my fault that you cheated on him. I only let him know what you did.” I pretend to not be bothered by her last words, but now I know to be careful and watch out for Zain. I can’t let anything happen today.

I leave her then, seething and possibly regretting ever meeting me. I wonder what she is plotting right now.

I call my head of security immediately. “I need you to keep an eye out for Zain—make sure he’s nowhere near the premises.” Even as I say it, doubt gnaws at me. Is security really enough to keep him at bay, or is this just another temporary fix to a problem that refuses to go away?

“Got it,” he says, and ends the call. I’m still not convinced that’s enough. I know Zain is nothing but a pest to me, but a pest is still a problem.

It doesn’t take me long to find Emma, sitting alone on a chair in the corner. She glares at me when I approach her.

“I’ve been looking for you!” Emma says. “Where have you been? You left me alone!”

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