Page 58 of Hateful Games

She smiles tenderly and squeezes my forearm affectionately. Almost making me believe she’s happy to soon have me as her daughter-in-law.

Again, I’m reminded of how complicated my life has become.

I purposely don’t greet Danish, Nova’s father. He’s just as guilty as my father for putting me in this predicament. How the hell he even ended up with such a beautiful wife, who stares at him as though he hung the moon, is beyond me.

I’m fucking perplexed.

Danish, my future father-in-law, regards me briefly while keeping his emotions concealed, and asks, “Where is Nova? He should be with you.”

The cardinal rule of lying: never take your eyes off the person you’re fooling.

“He left early to prepare for his valedictorian speech.” The lie rolls off my tongue smoothly. Something I need to practice around my fiancé.

Oh yeah, Nova is the topper of his class and loved by his professors as well. Or so said Miya on one of her many ramblings. I feel so guilty for ruining such a special day for him. Not.

Nova’s father squints his eyes while his lips twist in displeasure. I wonder if he was in on it with Nova for approving the bodyguard he hired for me. His body language screams he doesn’t trust me. Yet he’s more than eager to tie me to his family. Something doesn’t sit right.

Could there be an ulterior motive? Or he is simply preaching the saying… keep your enemies closer.

“I’m sure he’s around here, Danish,” murmurs Mrs. D’Cruz, diffusing the tension.

The frown lines disappear as Danish relaxes his features, replaced by the suave business tycoon the world glimpses. “Call and let him know we’re waiting.”

“Sure, honey.”

Damn it. I have his phone and I’m not sure if it’s on silent or not. My throat goes dry as I fight the urge to fidget. Discreetly adjusting the strap of my black sequined mini purse, I shift it behind my waist.

Meanwhile, Miya is watching me raptly with suspicion dancing in her eyes.

As Teresa dials his number, any second blowing my cover, I search for an escape without making myself look guilty. Especially with Miya observing me like a hawk.

A buzzing sensation tingles my hip and I breathe a sigh of relief. The noise around us hides the vibrating sound while Teresa frowns as Nova’s call goes to voicemail. Hanging up, she mutters, “He’s not picking up. He never does that.”

Genuine guilt hits me in the chest when a note of worry touches her voice.

“He must not have heard it, Teresa.”

She looks up at her husband, shakes her head, and murmurs, “He always picks up my call, Dan.”

Dialing again with a shaking hand, her face turns ashen when it goes back to voicemail. Even Danish’s shoulders tense. Suddenly, I’m witnessing my plan backfiring and going from funny prank zone to straight panic zone.

“Why is he not picking up, Dan?” Teresa’s voice rises to a high-pitched tone.

“Aunty Teresa, don’t worry,” assures Miya, caressing her arm. “Rosalie and I will go look for him.”

Her face almost pale, she mumbles, “Thank you, beta.”

“Come on, Teresa,” says Danish softly. “He must be practicing his speech as Rosalie mentioned. We’ll take a look around too.”

Miya pulls me aside and as soon as we’re alone outside in the hallway, she utters, “Look, Rosalie, I know for a fact you’re lying and if you know where he is, just say. Okay? I understand you’re pissed about the bodyguard and everything but it’s Aunty Teresa you’re hurting. Remember when I told you Nova was kidnapped, take a guess who was with him that awful day.”

After witnessing Teresa’s reaction, I feel like the worst human being on the planet. And that’s saying something considering who my fiancé is.

Oh my god. Did I unknowingly trigger Nova’s traumatic memories? He was fine when I left him but it’s been more than an hour. Dread settles in the pit of my stomach.

If I don’t fix it, who knows what kind of blunder will occur?

“I handcuffed and locked him in his bedroom before coming here with Malcolm,” I admit, making Miya’s jaw go slack.

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