Page 30 of Fake Wife for Dr. Secret Daddy

“Not really, we never dwelled on that.”

“You never dwelled on that. I’m not sure Winnie never did.” Mom corrects me.

“I think the opposite might even be the case,” I defend myself. I don’t think I like this questioning angle. It feels like the fifteen-year age gap between us is overshadowing the love story and perseverance between Winnie and me.

After everything we’d been through to get to where we were, it sounded insensitive to me that my mother was bringing this up.

“I know quite a few people might think I didn’t go for a woman in my age bracket because someone younger was more accessible to manipulate, but that’s never been the case. Winnie has an independent mind, and I learn a lot from her.

I see things as new and fresh, while she gains perspective on many things, she probably never would have been able to otherwise.”

Mom seems to sense that she has offended me. She backtracks and looks for a way to round off the conversation. I feel she has gotten whatever answers she had been searching for.

“I believe you, son. I would never imply that you groomed her or something heinous. I just wanted to have my direct answers. Winnie is like my daughter, after all.”

The attendant arrives just in time to break the heavy silence. I could feel the offense still building in my body. She might be saying that she didn’t mean to offend me or imply anything, but that was precisely what it sounded like.

“Here you go, sir. Your beautiful ring is all wrapped up now.” She hands me a branded bag, and I peer inside to see a fluffy jewelry box wedged inside it.

“Thank you,” I tell her graciously. I’m glad we didn’t have to walk into any other store. Fate must have kept the ring waiting for me or something equally serendipitous as that.

“Thank you for your patronage, and we hope that she loves the ring. We look forward to welcoming you here again.”

All in all, it’s been a successful shopping trip. I feel proud to have stumbled on what is undeniably a unique ring, and now the anticipation that had been pushed back due to the age gap questioning comes rushing back.

I can’t wait to see the look on Winnie’s face when she sees the ring. If I don’t seem bothered about her response, then it must say a lot about my trust in our bond.

CHAPTER 12

Winnie

“So,” Ted says, beaming down at me. He looks atrociously handsome today, almost painfully. His dark, wavy hair is cropped close to his head, accentuating how sharp his jaw is. His stubble is gone, as he’d shaved this morning for the event.

The event, of course, was our wedding.

“So,” I repeat. I feel trapped in the wedding dress, my feet aching from the tall heels they’d strapped me in.

The wedding reception is at full blast. We’d exchanged brief, traditional vows and taken photos outside while the guests poured into the banquet hall.

Now, we’re supposed to make our grand entrance. Hesitating outside the door, it’s hard to imagine going in there.

The arrangement was Ted’s idea, but I’m glad I'm in it—for the safety it gives me from Dr. Sam and the access to the answers I need…

But still. I hadn’t anticipated such a big wedding.

I was startled when I realized that Ted had grabbed my hand. I look at him, and he smiles at me.

“We are husband and wife now,” he whispers, leaning in.

My heart leaps. Something bursts through me—sharp and painful, almost like fear, but almost like?—

I ignore it.

“We are not husband and wi?—”

Ted presses his lips lightly against mine before pulling away. His stormy gray eyes sparkle as he grins.

“What was that, wife?”

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