Page 65 of Illicit Games

“I am fine,” I assure her. “I need to tell you something important.”

“Okay.”

I hesitate, nervous cramps tightening my stomach. Kian squeezes my waist, silently giving me courage. Swallowing past the dryness in my throat, I share, “I ended the engagement with Nathan last night.”

Total pin-drop silence.

My nerves go through the roof.

“Ma?”

“Why? Did you guys have a fight?” she questions, in utter disbelief. “What happened?”

“I am not in love with him.”

“What do you mean? You’ve both been together for more than three years, Iris.”

“I know it’s confusing. But he isn’t the one.”

“How do you know?” she huffs. “Maybe you’re just panicking since it’s a very big step, which is fine.”

“No, I’m not having wedding jitters. I was marrying him for the wrong reasons,” I reply in a firm voice. “And I know Nathan isn’t the one because I… I’m in love with Kian, Ma.”

My palm resting over Kian’s chest, I feel his heart race as he hears my love confession.

For long seconds, I only hear heavy breathing on the other end, before my mom finally speaks, “This is a lot to take in, Iris.”

“I know.”

“How long have you felt this way toward Kian? More importantly, does he feel the same? Because you need to be really sure if you’re going to take such a drastic step.”

“I haven’t made this decision lightly or on a whim. I love Kian and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I know allof this is shocking, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than this.”

“Your happiness is all that matters to me, Iris. We’ll never force you into a marriage,” she says softly. “I will talk to your father tonight and we’ll decide on how to handle this with Nathan’s family. Come visit us tomorrow.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’m on a work trip.”

“With Kian, I presume?” Her sweet voice takes on a stern note, like she knows it’s not just a work trip. “When are you coming back?”

“In a week.”

“Fine. Once you return, both of you will come to the house. Your father and I will have questions that we’d like answered in person.”

“Yes, Ma.” I hang up and smile at Kian. “It went better than I hoped.”

“I told you.”

Straightening his tie, I relay my mom’s order. “We are both invited for an interrogatory dinner with my family as soon as we’re back.”

“I can handle anything they throw at me.”

“You better.”

His mouth tips into a sexy grin. “You can finally introduce me as your boyfriend.”