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Chapter 54
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Hired Fiance Chapter 55
Emma's POV Watching them together, I wondered if Eva was truly happy or if she was simply going along with this to please our father. Dad had always been difficult to please, his expectations impossibly high, and I feared that Eva, in her desire to make him proud, might be sacrificing her own happiness.As I walked into the grand ballroom, memories I’d rather forget came rushing back, uninvited and unwelcome. The faces around me were the same ones that had been present at my engagement to Daniel, and at what was supposed to be our wedding day. They had witnessed my decision to cancel the wedding just a day before the ceremony, and I knew that people had not forgotten. In fact, I could feel their eyes on me, and the whispers that followed me like a shadow, reminding me that this was not just Eva’s night; it was also a painful reminder of my past.The room was filled with elegant women in glittering gowns and men in sharp tuxedos, all gathered to celebrate my sister’s happiness. But be
Hired Fiance Chapter 56
Emma's POV For the first time that night, I felt a little lighter, the oppressive weight of the past beginning to lift.But the night wasn’t over yet. As we continued to mingle, others took their turn trying to get a reaction out of me. Some were subtle, like Mr. Thompson, who made a pointed comment about “second chances” while glancing between me and Daniel across the room. Others were more blatant, like Mrs. Greene, who openly asked how it felt to see Eva with Daniel as if they were expecting me to confess some deep regret.Each time, Ryan was there, quick with a sharp retort or a subtle redirection that left the other person either flustered or silenced. It was as if he could sense when I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, stepping in to shield me from the worst of it.At one point, during a particularly tense conversation with an old family friend who couldn’t resist bringing up the past, Ryan simply took my hand and squeezed it gently, cutting the conversation short with a disa
Hired Fiance Chapter 57
Emma's POV As the night wore on, I found it increasingly difficult to distinguish between what was real and what wasn’t. Ryan’s touch, once merely a part of the performance, began to feel more natural, more genuine. His presence was a comfort, a steadying force that kept me grounded amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. I could feel myself slipping, the lines between pretend and reality beginning to blur. Every time he smiled at me, every time he held me close, I had to fight the urge to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was something real between us.The engagement ceremony was a spectacle in itself. The room was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and soft music as Eva and Daniel exchanged rings, their every move followed by the watchful eyes of the guests. Ryan stood by my side the entire time, his hand resting gently on the small of my back, a constant source of support. He made sure I was included in every conversation, always making me feel like we belo
Hired Fiance Chapter 58
Emma's POV Ryan walked with me, his arm around my waist as we made our way out. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the warmth of the ballroom, and I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. But even as we walked outside, the events of the night played over and over in my head, a whirlwind of emotions that I couldn’t quite make sense of.When Ryan reached for my hand, his fingers lacing through mine, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I looked at him, his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights, and I realized that, for better or worse, I was no longer sure where the act ended and where the truth began.As we walked inside we saw my family sitting there. They all were happy about the party and discussed how it went so well. Once we had a nightcap, we all went to our rooms and I was again feeling conscious of the fact that we were going to share the room as well as the bed. I cleaned my makeup, freshened up, and changed into my nightwear. I got into my bed on
Hired Fiance Chapter 59
Emma's POV The morning after Eva’s engagement party, I woke up to an empty bed. The space where Ryan had been lying just hours ago was now cool. I lay there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, trying to summon the energy to get up. The events of the night before played on a loop in my mind—the way Ryan had held me, his arm draped protectively around my waist, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck. It had felt so real, so right, that I’d almost forgotten we were just pretending.Almost.But now, in the harsh light of day, reality had come crashing back in. I wasn’t sure where Ryan had gone, but the house was still quiet, everyone else likely sleeping in after the party. I should have been relieved for a moment of solitude, but instead, I felt an inexplicable need to find him.I slipped out of bed, grabbed my robe, and padded down the hallway. As I made my way through the house, I noticed that the door leading out to the garden was slightly ajar. Curious, I stepped outsid
Hired Fiance Chapter 60
Emma's POV Ryan shook his head, his expression earnest. "I appreciate that, but lly love to do this for her. She loves it when I cook for her; please try some of it; it may not be as good as your professional chef's, but you may like it as she does. "My heart did a little flip at his words. He was so good at this, so convincing, that I almost believed it myself. Almost. But the truth was, this was still just a charade, and I had to keep reminding myself of that, especially with my grandmother watching us so closely."Well, in that case," my grandmother said, clearly charmed by his sincerity, "I suppose I can’t argue with that. Just don’t make too much of a mess in our kitchen, young man."Ryan laughed, the sound rich and full. "I’ll do my best, Mrs. Wales."He turned back to me, his hand outstretched. "Come on, Emma. Let’s go make some pancakes."I hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and letting him pull me to my feet. His touch was warm, his fingers strong and reassuring
Hired Fiance Chapter 61
Emma's POV My mother waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, I didn't realise...no, no. You two enjoy yourselves. I just came in to see how things were going." She got a bit embarrassed. " Please join us, I make very good pancakes. Ask Emma. " He said but I was not in a condition to say anything at the moment. I just nodded both mom and grandma smiled and tasted the pancakes. "You missed a spot," he teased, his voice so low that only I could hear it.Ryan turned back to me, his smile softening as he reached out to wipe a bit of whipped cream from the corner of my mouth. I froze as he brought his finger to his lips, licking off the cream with a playful glint in his eyes.My mother didn’t seem to notice the exchange, too busy admiring the pancakes that Ryan had prepared, but my grandmother saw it, and I could see in her eyes that she loved it. But I felt like I was about to combust. My entire body was on high alert, every nerve ending tingling with the awareness of him. It was too much,
Hired Fiance Chapter 62
Emma's POV "Why don’t we go for a walk after breakfast?" Ryan suggested, squeezing my hand lightly. "I’d love to explore more of the estate with you.""That sounds lovely," my grandmother chimed in, clearly pleased with the idea. "It’s a beautiful day for it."I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. My emotions were too close to the surface, too raw. The idea of spending more time alone with Ryan, of being out in the open where anyone could see us, filled me with a mix of excitement and dread. How much longer could I keep this up before I completely lost myself in the illusion we had created?After we finished breakfast, Ryan insisted on cleaning up, much to my grandmother’s amusement. She watched us with a fond smile as we worked side by side, Ryan washing the dishes while I dried them. It was such a simple, domestic task, but it felt strangely intimate like we were a real couple going about our morning routine.At one point, Ryan bumped his shoulder against mine playfully, causing
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