Chapter 77

VALERIA

He stared at me, his expression twisted with something that looked like a mix of anger and desperation. “I don’t want it to be an act, Valeria."

I laughed bitterly, a sound that was more hollow than amusing. “I saw the news, Reese. The paparazzi hounded you after you dropped the kids off at school. You say you’re serious, but how can I believe any of it?”

Reese’s eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. “So what? I told you I’m done pretending, Valeria. I’m not playing games anymore.”

I folded my arms across my chest, trying to build a barrier between us that could withstand his persistence. “Stop whining like a child. This is all an act, even the sex.” The words tasted sour on my tongue, but I had to say them. I had to make him believe that what we shared was nothing more than a lapse in judgment. Because if I didn’t, I might start to believe otherwise.

Reese’s face fell in disappointment as he looked away, clearly hurt by my words.

But it already slipped out befo