Page 32 of Cruel Love
I needed to do better. If this didn’t convince Kiera that we werehappily married, nothing would.
Remembering a lesson where the girls were taught to cry ondemand, I dropped my head, looking at my lap as I bit down hard on the inside of my lip. Pain shot through my mouth, but it had the desired effect when tears welled in my eyes.
“My papa. He… was very ill,”I said, adding emotion to my voice as I met Kiera’s eyes across the table.“The only thing he wanted before he passed away was to know I’d be looked after.”By now, my eyes were filled with tears, and the suspicion on Kiera’s face had changed to one of sympathy.“I don’t think he meant marriage, he just wanted to know I had someone in my life. But after James met him for the first time, James promised him he’d take care of me.”I shrugged.“And then he proposed.”
I shifted closer to nuzzle into James’ side, once again surprised whenhe removed his hand from my leg to wrap it around my shoulders as he peered down at me with affection glittering in his orbs.
He was as good at faking it as I was.
“I guess I knew from the moment I met her, that Willow was it forme.”
Although I knew he was lying, he spoke with such conviction that Icould almost forget the truth. That I was nothing to him but a womb to grow his child.
Kiera’s features softened, and she pulled Billie in for a hug.“I’msorry about your dad, Willow. But I’m happy for you guys, I just wish we could have been there for the wedding.”
“What was your dress like?”Billie said, pulling out of her mom’sgrasp.
A lump of emotion clogged in my throat. James’ family were kind,and it hit me then that I’d never have what they had. I didn’t know what had happened to my own family, and if I were to spend the rest of my life as James’ wife, I would never have a proper family.
I’d never felt so lonely in all my life.
“It was beautiful,”I said, closing my eyes and imagining a weddingdress I would have chosen if I’d had the option, and knowing this was the only time I’d ever get to speak about my dream wedding.“It was covered in lace, with a really long train. Even the sleeves were made of delicate lace, and underneath was a dress made of the softest silk I’ve ever felt. And I had a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses.”I opened my eyes to find Billie grinning at me.“I felt like a princess as I walked down the aisle.”
Billie and Kiera’s grins had grown wider, and both sets of eyes hadglazed over as if they were imagining the dress I’d described.
“Did you kiss?”Billie blurted.
Her question made me freeze on the spot. I didn’t want to lie to heranymore, she deserved better. She was only a kid, and I hated that I was sucking her into a world of fabrication.
“Of course we did,”James said, answering for me, a hint of irritationin his voice.
“How?”she replied, almost bouncing in her seat.
“What do you mean how?”
“Was it a quick peck on the lips, or was it a proper smooch?”Billiesaid, pouting her lips and making Kiera laugh at her daughter.
“I don’t know, squirt. It was just a kiss,”James replied dismissively.
“Oh.”Her face fell in disappointment when a second later it lit upagain.“Hey, Uncle James! I’ve been practicing poker like you taught me.”
Just like that, the wedding interrogation was over. I breathed a sigh ofrelief, certain I’d passed the test.
“Yeah, can’t say I’m happy about you teaching her poker, James.Little shit keeps winning my money,”Alec grumbled.
James shot his customary scowl at him.“Maybe that’s becauseyou’re not very good at it.”He glared at Alec, before returning his attention to Billie.“Bet you still can’t beat me though, squirt.”
“I bet I can,”Billie mocked, smirking at James.
From under the table, she pulled up her backpack and rummagedthrough it, pulling a pack of cards out.“Can we play?”
“Sure, squirt. But if I win, you’ve got to promise me you’ll start goingback to that after-school math class. I heard you quit, and I don’t want you falling behind again.”
“Fine. But if I win, then you have to kiss Aunt Willow like you did onyour wedding day,”Billie retorted. Once again, both James and I tensed at the same time.
“Billie,” Kiera chuckled. “That’s not really appropriate-”
“Why not? They’re married, aren’t they? You kiss Alec, and you’renot even married.”
