Page 114 of The Fake Dating War

“Connections all around,” says my mom with forced enthusiasm.

I blink slowly at Jake. “You’ve been recruiting…”

So that means…

It suddenly hurts so much. I didn’t think anything could tear into me so viciously, but I’m in pieces in an instant.

“That’s why you came this week,” I whisper. “To work.”

My mom shakes her head, having heard me. “No, he came for you.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Your boyfriend?—”

I don’t know what else is said, because I’m struggling to keep standing. All I want to do is bend over and throw up. I can’t even look at him. Why does it feel like I’ve been ripped apart? It’s not like Jake hid the fact that he had his own reason for being here. In the beginning, he flat out told me he did.Andhe said he wasn’t going to tell me what it was.

Technically, I was warned. And I never followed up, too busy and overwhelmed with everything else, and then, later, so fucking grateful he was here. It was nice. More than nice. This illusion that we were together was such an intoxicating lie.

Jake is calling my name. I ignore him. “Mr.Singh, sorry to ask this question, but what is your company worth in dollars?”

He names a figure that makes me flinch. What a perfect coup. Tarun Singh is a whale. Signing him would win Jake the bonus, after all. I’ve been duped.

Jake tries reaching for me, but I push away from him, dully shaking my head. I still won’t look at his face.

“Now, you can answer my question,” Mr.Singh says to me. “Why did you laugh at Harry and I going into business together?”

Harry tries blocking me. “Don’t listen to her. Reema is my ex-wife, and she’s got no idea what she’s talking about.”

My mother gasps. Dad is red in the face. Behind Harry, Serena’s hands curl into fists. As for Jake—I’m not looking at him.I can’t.

No, I’m laughing again. Anything to avoid the gaping wound inside me. “Harry is a gambler and a fraud,” I say. “I’ve seen him do this before. He convinces a business to invest with him, and then he mismanages the money for his own benefit. Going into business with him is financial suicide.”

Fingers grip my arm with bruising strength. Harry squeezes hard. “She’s not right in the head. Our divorce broke her. Everything she’s saying is about herself. She’s the gambler. The one drowning with debt. Ask her to pull up her accounts and it will tell you what you need to know. She owes the bank a fortune!”

Whispers spike around us. People are staring. I notice a line of relatives watching this whole thing go down. What is everything thinking? Will anyone believe me? For I’m the bad daughter who failed at marriage. The recluse who disappeared in shame for two years. The one whose life is better described with disappointments than accomplishments.

A six-foot-two shadow falls on Harry. “If you don’t let her go, I’m going to break your arm.”

There are no theatrics. The threat is glacial and precise.

Harry is surprised enough to let me go. Immediately, he’s blocked from my vision because Jake stands in front of me. “This is the only warning you will get. If you ever speak about Reema like she doesn’t deserve your respect, I will hurt you.”

“You don’t know who you’re protecting. She’s no victim. Frankly, she’s the bitc?—”

Jake’s fist connects with Harry’s jaw.

Harry drops to the floor, gasping.

I’m so shocked that it takes a moment to remember to breathe. When I can, I move so I can see Harry on the ground. Mental picture taken immediately. He’s glaring at me. His mouth opens. More venom is going to spill out. Him trying to hijack the narrative so he can twist our story to his benefit. It’s what he’s always done, and I’m so sick of it.

“You left me on the street.” My voice rings strong and clear. “I made mistakes and gave you money trying to believe in you—and us—long after I should have learned my lesson, but it’syouwho gambled. I’ve long accepted my faults in that, but you clearly haven’t changed, you deceptive little snake.”

He fumbles up to a stand, holding his jaw. His eyes have widened with realization. Oh, yes. This is happening. I’m not who he thinks I still am. Too bad I’m not done yet.

“These hands—” I show both of mine. “—are no longer sweeping your problems under a carpet. That’s your mistake and arrogance. You thought you could walk in here and I’d still be the same, scared Reema. I’m not her anymore. I don’t care about protecting your precious masculinity. You can’t lecture me about the changes I need to make you feel like a man.” I snort. “There’s no welcome for you in this family. Because fuck off, you shouldn’t be here. Get out. Leave now or I’ll keep talking about all your stupid business decisions.”

Not that the damage isn’t done. Mr.Singh is looking at us like we’re a circus he wants no part of. He turns around and strides away—and Harry, seeing that, goes and runs after him.

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