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Chapter 153
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Hired Fiance Chapter 154
Emma's POV I felt a lump form in my throat, and though I wanted to pull my hand away, I couldn’t. His touch was warm and familiar, and despite everything, I craved that comfort. My resolve was weakening, but I didn’t want to admit it—not yet. Not out loud."I just… I need time to process everything," I whispered, looking down at the hand that held mine. "I don’t know what to think right now."He nodded, his thumb stroking the back of my hand gently. "I’ll give you all the time you need, Emma. I just don’t want to lose you. Not over this."I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle deep inside me. I didn’t want to lose him either. But I couldn’t ignore the hurt, the sting of betrayal that still lingered.We finished dinner quietly after that, the tension between us easing just slightly. Once the plates were cleared away, he stood up and walked over to the fireplace, watching the flames for a moment before turning back to me."I love you, Emma," he said, his voice low, fi
Hired Fiance Chapter 155
Emma's POV The following day, the weight of the previous night still hung in the air, but something had shifted between us. There was no denying the passion we shared, and although my feelings were still tangled in confusion, Ryan’s presence beside me felt comforting. I knew I couldn’t brush everything aside just yet, but I also knew that I had to understand him fully. There was more to his story, and I needed to see it with my own eyes.That morning, as I was sipping my coffee, Ryan approached me. He looked relaxed, more at ease than he had in days. His face lit up with a soft smile as he leaned against the kitchen counter.“There’s something I want to show you today,” he said, his voice tender, though there was a seriousness behind it. “I think it’s time you see the other side of my life, the part I’ve kept from you.”I set down my cup, feeling a flutter of uncertainty in my stomach. "Your real life?" I asked quietly, half-dreading what that would mean. I'd seen a glimpse of his we
Hired Fiance Chapter 156
Emma's POV He led me inside, and I was immediately struck by the grandeur of the interior. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, the floors gleamed with a polished finish, and art—no doubt worth a fortune—decorated the walls. It was beautiful, yes, but it felt cold and distant. This wasn’t the Ryan I knew. This wasn’t the man who spent evenings curled up with me on our worn-out sofa, sharing quiet moments.“I wanted you to see this,” Ryan said quietly, leading me through the grand hallways. “Because I need you to understand that this—this isn’t who I am. Not really. Yes, I was brought up into this world, but it’s not where my heart is.”I glanced at him, feeling the sincerity in his words. He had never acted like the privileged heir he was. He had never flaunted his wealth or expected special treatment. In fact, he had taken all of it in stride—the way my dad, Daniel, and others had condescended to him and made snide remarks, assuming he was just another struggling actor with no prospects.
Hired Fiance Chapter 157
Emma's POV The following morning, the air in our home felt different, like a subtle shift that I couldn't quite place. Ryan had been quieter than usual, contemplative, as though something weighed on his mind. I watched him from the kitchen, noting the furrow in his brow and the distant look in his eyes, hoping he’d share what was troubling him, but I didn’t want to press. Ryan wasn’t the kind of man to let things weigh on him lightly, so whatever was bothering him must have been significant. Yet he hadn’t said a word. I was tempted to ask, to pry into whatever was going on, but something told me to wait, to let him come to me when he was ready. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change, but before I could voice my concern, his phone rang, breaking the stillness. He glanced at the screen, and I saw his expression shift the moment he answered. His usual calm exterior broke, and I watched as worry etched deep lines into his face.He answered it, and I watched as
Hired Fiance Chapter 158
Emma's POV I opened my mouth to argue, but then I hesitated and bit my lip, torn between wanting to support him and understanding the precarious situation with his grandfather. I had my own experience with emotionally charged family members. My mother and grandmother could be incredibly sensitive when it comes to family matters, especially weddings and introductions. And while I loved them dearly, I understood how delicate such matters could be. If his grandfather was anything like them, this wasn’t the right time.“But what about you?” I asked softly, searching Ryan’s face. “I don’t want you to go through this alone.”“I won’t be alone,” he reassured me. “The doctors are with him, and his staff are there to take care of everything. I just need to get there as quickly as I can.” A part of me wanted to insist on going, to be by his side through whatever awaited him. But I also understood his concern, and I didn’t want to make a difficult situation even more complicated.“I’ll stay,”
Hired Fiance Chapter 159
Emma's POV The week felt like a whirlwind. Between my exhibition, managing clients, and making sure everything was perfect, I barely had a moment to breathe. The exhibition had been on my calendar for months, and as one of the most renowned fashion designers in the country, expectations were always high. People from all over the industry had been invited, and this time, it wasn’t just a showcase of my evening gowns and bridal wear—it was an auction.I poured every ounce of my energy into preparing for it, despite the worry gnawing at the back of my mind about Ryan and his grandfather. Every day we spoke on Skype or through video calls, and each time, the concern on Ryan’s face grew deeper. He would give me updates about his grandfather, and although his condition hadn’t worsened, it hadn’t improved either.“I don’t understand,” Ryan had told me during one of our late-night video calls. “His health was fine just a few weeks ago. Now, it’s like he’s holding on, but barely.”I could see
Hired Fiance Chapter 160
Emma's POV “Wow! What a grand welcome,” he chuckled, his arms tightening around me. “I didn’t know you missed me this much. If I had, I would’ve come back sooner.”“I wish you had,” I whispered against his chest. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? And how is your grandfather?”“He’s still the same,” Ryan said, his tone softening. “But I couldn’t miss this—being with you, seeing you in your element. So I came. I’ll stay for a few days, catch up on some work at the office here, and then head back. Maybe this time, you can come with me if things are better.”I nodded, my heart still racing from the surprise of seeing him. I couldn’t believe he was here—after all the stress and worry, after all the work, Ryan had made it back to me.Later that evening, we attended a small post-exhibition party, but despite the success and the elation I should have been feeling, I couldn’t shake an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. The day had taken its toll on me, and as the night wore on, I starte
Hired Fiance Chapter 161
Emma's POV “Ryan, please,” I gasped, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks, not from desire, but from the oncoming sickness. But he wasn’t listening. His hands were insistent, pulling me closer as if he could will me into wanting what he wanted.Before I knew it, the nausea won out, and I threw up—right on his chest.His reaction was immediate. He cursed under his breath and let go of me, standing back with a mixture of shock and disgust on his face. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and then, without a word, he turned and stormed out of the room. I heard the door to the guest bedroom slam shut, and I was left alone, sick and bewildered.The next morning, I tried to explain. After a long shower and a bit of rest, I felt slightly better, but Ryan was still clearly annoyed. I could see it in the way he avoided my eyes and the tightness in his jaw when I tried to approach him.“Ryan, I’m sorry about last night,” I said softly, reaching for his hand. “I’ve been feeling so sick lately.
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