Page 120 of Merry Fake Bride

“How—how did you get this number?”

No. No, no! How is this happening?

Did I die on the way to the clinic yesterday and wake up in some horrific nightmare?

I ran from Axel.

I left him behind and buried myself.

He shouldn’t be able to find me and legally, he can’t come near me, not that I feel protected with his voice in my ear.

“I’ve been looking for you for a long time, Devon.”

He speaks through gritted teeth. “Imagine my surprise when your picture appears online. You on the arm of some snot-nosed cunty little rich boy. Didn’t take me long to track you down after that.”

A picture?

My stomach falls right out of my ass with a dreadful realization.

The gala pictures.

I didn’t even think.

I thought those were private pictures, not something that would end up online.

“You left me, Devon.”

“Leave me alone,” I snap.

“I can’t do that. What kind of man would I be if I did that, Devon?”

“No!” Bolting up from the bench, I glance around as the air around me grows thin. “You’re nothing to me, you understand? You leave me alone! I’ve moved on. You need to do the same. And if you come near me, they’ll lock you up!”

“I’ve been near you,” comes his icy threat, and my body trembles so violently I nearly overbalance as I rush out of the park.

“I’ve been near you and no one arrested me. So the next time I drop by, you'd better be fucking thankful I’m in a good mood. See you soon.”

30

KAIRO

Something’s off.

Three days ago, I had the greatest night of my life in bed with Devon.

She saw all of me and I saw all of her.

I thought that meant something between us was changing and a new beginning was happening.

Everything about the bakery and the marriage seemed to be falling into place because the woman I’ve fallen head over heels for likes me back.

But something isn’t right.

My fingers glide over the intricate stitching of the tablecloth at the quiet restaurant I’ve chosen to meet Devon for dinner.

I visited earlier that day because she hadn’t been returning my calls, but she’d been different.

Cold.